DEEPCOVER – Were here at the magic clothing convention with the head designer and owner of Akomplice clothing, what’s going on dude introduce yourself.
Mike (Akomplice) – What’s up, I’m Mike Vicarrni from Akomplice, I come from Carbondale Colorado, the woods, the mountains.
DEEPCOVER – So mike how long has your brand been out?
Mike (Akomplice) – The brand has been out for 5 years.
DEEPCOVER – How did you come up with the name?
Mike (Akomplice) – I actually pitched the name Accomplish to my partner, and he was like, yo accomplice that’s hot ha-ha, and I’m like dam that is hot, and he says, but lets spell it with a K and that’s how the name came about. Once we started thinking about it more before we really decided we were like yeah akomplice makes sense, everyone who supports us is kind of like and akomplice to the movement, and we do alot of political designs, and in France akomplice means friend rather then a criminal act, so we definitely didn’t choose it because we were criminals.
DEEPCOVER – What type of music are you into?
Mike (Akomplice) – I grew up listening to a lot of punk rock, and my brother listened to a lot of hip-hop so were like a fusion of both
DEEPCOVER – Are you guys currently involved with any political movements?
Mike (Akomplice) – Not necessarily political, but were very concerned with the environment right now so we make a lot of environmentally conscious clothing.
DEEPCOVER – What artists if any, would you say you’re into right now that help inspire the design process.
Mike (Akomplice) –To be honest I really haven’t been following any artists lately besides the artists in the industry; I really respect Shepard Fairey, and Futura.
DEEPCOVER – What do you think about collaborations with other brands, are you into to them?
Mike (Akomplice) – I feel its got to be right and its got to make sense. We just did a collaboration with leaders 1354 we came out with a Swiss army knife and it was all about survival. They have been around for 8 years, we have been around for 5 years, and so we’ve both been in the game for a while and for fashion and I think that’s pretty good so far, so it’s definitely got to make sense.
DEEPCOVER – That makes sense, not to collaborate just for the sake of a collab, because if your not into each others esthetic or movement then what’s the point.
Mike (Akomplice) – Exactly
DEEPCOVER – Is there any recent films you watched that have inspired you or any of your designs.
Mike (Akomplice) – I really like all the Tarentino films.
DEEPCOVER – Have you seen Inglorious Bastards yet?
Mike (Akomplice) – I’m not really a movie theatre type guy, ill usually wait till it comes out on DVD, unless im on a date.
DEEPCOVER – What do you think of other brands that outsource their designs?
Mike (Akomplice) – I think it can definitely work, if that designer understands what the concept of the brand is. If it’s a designer that’s trying to make some quick bucks that can be dangerous. The brand might get portrayed as line that doesn’t have much feeling to it, but then again if there’s a designer that really feels the movement and the project then I think it can really work.
DEEPCOVER – What would you like to see in the future of street wear?
Mike (Akomplice) – Just progression no matter what, whether it works or it doesn’t. I want to see out the box innovation and originality.
DEEPCOVER – Do you follow current trends, or just do whatever you feel like doing?
Mike (Akomplice) – I do whatever I like, I don’t really look at any blogs, besides when were featured, or once in a great moon. I’m already on the computer enough and I don’t want to spend any extra time on it, but on the other hand if I see something I like it obviously impacts me. I feel like it’s the evolution of it, people keep building of each other, if you like something you flip it.
DEEPCOVER – What advice would you give to upstart brands?
Mike (Akomplice) – I would says just be really creativity and make sure that your product is worth peoples time. If its recycled and doesn’t look good maybe you should try again, or just do what you love to do and just go for it, who gives a fuck if it works or doesn’t ha-ha.
DEEPCOVER – Alright cool it was dope talking to you Mike.
Mike (Akomplice) – Cool nice meeting you guys, keep in touch.
www.akomplice-clothing.com