FAITH AND FASHION Pt. 1

If you follow me on social media(especially on Instagram), you may have seen my series of posts around this theme for this past week.  

My experience with urban and street wear fashion goes back to High School with a brand me and my partner "Squeaksz" ran named Lethal Inspiration.  We did fashion shows, and did a lot in the NYC underground Streetwear scene, even getting pieces worn by Theophilus London and Fresh Daily. We were featured in Pulse magazine in an article titled "Fashion's New School Take Over" and the second Generation of The Free was an event that featured ASAP Rocky before he blew up(Not proud of this stuff, just some of the things people may have seen as worldly accomplishments that mean nothing to me now). 

If you know anything about my past this was back when I was in the secular world, but even so in many ways Lethal Inspiration gave birth to the multi-media company I run now named all is love...  In fact it was on our original blog, that I first used the words "all is love" just to sign off each post! However as I grew closer to my faith, and my art grew in a different direction over time me and Squeakz had to part. Eventually, I turned over Lethal Inspiration to him completely.  Its always been nothing but love for the brother as we grew up together and learned a lot from him. As far as I know it has not been until now that he has started putting out clothing again.

As Christ drew me closer, my urban lifestyle was very conflicted at first with what the thoughts of what "church" was.  I have always been completely Hip Hop… And my 18-20 years in the Hipster Soho/L.E.S./BK scene of NYC left a lot of influence in my interactions with people, and viewing of fashion.  I've been known for wearing "feathers", "legos" and "Floppy Disks" as fashion accessories.  In fact it was the Floppy Disk on my hat that made Brother Marek spot me out walking down Zerega ave years ago and led to my further connection with the Idente Missionaries.  Learning from the thought of Fernando Rielo also left the impression that "God is beautiful" and all things reflecting beauty reflect God. In my fashion I was learning how to find the balance with bring my best to the Lord for mass, and in certain occasions, and staying true to the essence of myself.  I needed to become something radically new, and the blasphemies I spoke in rhymes unknowingly I needed to be educated deeper in.  In addition, the things I was associated with prior to the missionaries, I needed to be separated from for a time so I can truly be molded into someone completely anew.

I can't tell you every step of the way, but know this…. I have been separated from much, and God brought me back to fashion. I have been styling, and doing graphic design the whole way through but for one reason or another kept being prevented from putting out fashion pieces.  It is only now in this past year in 2014 that I was able to link with both JMJCat3 Catholic snapbacks, and Exodus 40 which is leading to some amazing things in this new year.  I can now say I am honestly in a place where God is calling me back to designing and styling, but with a new mission and vision for him.  And after this week's postings where I got sooo many personal contacts and conversations about this stuff, it only affirms these next moves I have been inspired to make.

Above are the images I posted on Intagram all linked to the original posts and writings… I am no expert, just a man sharing his experience and thoughts as I continue to grow.  If you wish to check them out, I pray they offer light you can welcome into a silent and contemplative prayer that will lead to God revealing to you what you are to do in your own fashion…. STAY TOONED

- The Symbol
- All is Love