DESIGNER DISH OF THE WEEK : "THE POPULARS"

McFly - The Creator & Design of "The Populars"

Everybody wants to be popular. No, i'm not talking about in the sense of how many people you know. I'm talking about the clothes you're wearing. What am i blabbing about, you say? Well, I had the pleasure of interviewing a young, fly and flashy guy who's name even has "Fly" in it. Allow me to introduce to you McFly - the creator and designer of "The Populars". He is making some loud noise in the urban streetwear movement. Pay attention.

---The Interview---

Q. WHEN DID "POPULAR PHASION" COME TO LIFE? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

A: Popular Phasion is actually just the name of the web site. The Populars is the official name of the collection. The Concept of The Populars is like 6 years in the making. I started out painting clothes and jeans and it just evolved into what it is today, but the official start of the line as you know it was Dec. 2006.

Q. I KNOW THAT YOU'RE AN ARTIST AND A DESIGNER ON THE VISUAL/GRAPHIC ASPECT. DID YOUR LOVE OF ART INFLUENCE THE LOOK FOR THE CLOTHES FEATURED IN THE POPULARS?

A: Yea, It heavily influences the designs. Anybody can can just slap some words and colors on a shirt and call it a clothing line, but it takes art and design to really stand out and have longevity in fashion. Im very passionate about art/design and fashion so Ive dedicated my life to it.

Q. TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE "POPULAR STREET COUTURE". WHAT IS IT EXACTLY? NORMALLY WHEN WE HEAR THE WORD "COUTURE" WE THINK OF EXPENSIVE HIGH-FASHION DESIGNERS WITH CLASSIC, TIMELESS PIECES. HOW DOES YOUR LINE MERGE THE COUTURE WITH STREET WEAR?

A: I am very happy you asked that because I'm in the process of changing the name. At first when I began back and December the concept of Street Couture was to take what the High Fashion designers do and put a street feel to it, while putting the same time and work into each piece. As time moves on and The Populars grow, I see that it might rub some people the wrong way and they might not understand the concept of Street Couture. And I totally respect and love Couture and the great designers, so out of respect I feel that I should change the name. I had a conversation with a designer who I really admire and he helped me understand that I can still put in the same time, effort and love into each piece without it being misunderstood.

Q. HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE THAT BUY POPULAR WILL FEEL WHEN THEY WEAR THE CLOTHES? WHAT DOES "BEING POPULAR" MEAN?

A: Every person is different and we all dress ourselves in different ways for different reasons. But what I want the people who where The Populars to feel is a sense of uniqueness. I want them to feel as if they are ahead of the pack. Leading the way into the future of American design. A lot of people are tired of the same things, same colors and I just want to give them an opportunity to have other fashionable options. Being Popular is a way of life. Being Popular means taking pride in your appearance, and having confidence to be a trend setter, while opening your mind and the minds of others to New Things.

Q. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE OF OTHER URBAN STREETWEAR CLOTHING LINES RECENTLY. WHY DO YOU THINK THE APPEAL TO THIS MARKET IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW?

A:[laughs] Yea I know, the market is becoming saturated. I feel like fashion is like music. Every genre of music kind of has its own fashion. For urban street wear its mostly rap. And in my opinion Rap is becoming saturated. More and more rappers are coming out and more and more clothing lines are coming out. All it takes is one hit to "make it big"..the same with street wear, all it takes is that one design. There are a lot of "One hit wonders" also in the fashion game. The urban youth is the target market for most lines for a simple reason. Urban youth has unmatched buying power and also a very impressionable mind, everybody is trying to tap into the gold mine.

Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK SEPARATES POPULAR PHASION FROM THE REST OF EMERGING URBAN CLOTHING LINES OUT THERE?

A: The Populars are different from most because, I'm actually a designer.[laughs] I actually have been an artist and Designer since I was in elementary school. I go to college for Art/Design. Most emerging lines are just a spur of the moment type of things. So, I believe that I bring creativity and art as well as concept to the table and also The Populars is just not a Clothing line. In the years to come I plan to venture out into other aspects of our everyday lives, While keeping the focus of high quality design.

Q. WHERE DO YOU WISH TO SEE POPULAR A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE LINE?

A: Each season has been better than the last, so I just want to keep building up until I reach the pinnacle of where I can take the Collections.Fashion is one of the most unforgiving industries, one minute you can be on top of the world and the next you can be played out and your entire collection can be turned into a mockery. I just want to keep giving the fans of The Populars what they want. The people are responding to The Populars like I could never imagine. For the future, I will keep trying my best to meet their fashion needs and keep them coming back for more. If you are loyal to The Populars we will be loyal to you.

Q. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS TRYING TO START THEIR OWN STREETWEAR LINE? WHAT DO THEY NEED TO KNOW?

A: Never give up, if its your dream, go for it. Never let someone tell you that you cant do something. But you have to be ready to commit pretty much your entire life to it. If you aren't ready to make that sacrifice maybe its not the right career for you. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, research everything you can about fashion and the fashion industry. Fashion is 80% business and 20% talent and design, just know what you are getting into before you commit because it will save you a lot of time, heartache and money.

POPULAR GOODIES

Flying lipz $35.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X

Colors:White/Pink, Black/Pink


Poppin Off $35.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X

Colors:Pink/yellow, Pink/light blue, Black/yellow, Black/pink

Goodie Conez $28.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X

Color:yellow, black

Want em' $35.00

Size:S,M,L,XL

Colors:Purple

Easter Lipz $35.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X

Color:black

POPULAR FLYNESS

Brain on Fly $28.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X,3X

Color:black

Dope $28.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X,3X

Color:Purple

Lazeher $35.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X,3X

Color:black, white

Bad Trip $28.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X,3X

Color:black

Transform Your fly $30.00

Size:S,M,L,XL,2X,3X

Color:black, white, red

More Info:

You can purchase and check out more popular designs at the website!

http://www.popularphasion.com/

McFly's Myspace Page!

http://www.myspace.com/prince_ernest