SB Wear :: Mixin & Matchin At It's Best
It’s 7:30 p.m. when I get a phone call from Andrew Barr, marketing director of SB Wear. We‘ve been trying to get together for some time but when it comes to hard-working people sometimes your schedules conflict.
But not this time. I linked up with Barr and his brother Stephen Barr, co-owners of the clothing line called SB Wear, which specializes in making signature t-shirts that you can rock with your SB Dunks. I mean, they have done something for the Homers, Lobsters and etc. So, after the meet–and-greet of one another with a pound, we grabbed a seat in Starbucks and, minus the mocha frappacino, talked about SB Wear and how it came to fruition. Check it out...
Sole Searcher: Tell us what made you come up with the SB Wear clothing line and how long have you been established?
Stephen: I started out doing graphic design, and then I began freelancing at graphic studios and screen printing companies. A company I use to work for was selling their old equipment so I bought it and was doing regular screen printing from my house. I started collecting sneakers in 2002. I originally was getting Air Force 1’s but they looked real bulky on my feet so I wanted some kicks that would make my foot look smaller and was still stylish. So I got onto the Dunks and the SB’s. So I was thinking like this is cool but what do I wear with it because t shirts that I thought were hot would not come in my size. I had a screen printing machine and I do screen printing so why not just make my own shirts. And that is how we started. We have been established since 2003.
Sole Searcher: What are some of the details that you put into the clothing that makes your clothes unique to other clothing lines out right now?
Stephen: We stay out of the stores. Stores like to carry you one season and not the next one. So we only do website based sales and all of our merchandise comes in sneaker boxes.
Sole Searcher: Word? That is hot.
Stephen: Yeah, no one that looks in packaging. Our packaging is something that we feel sets us apart from the others out there.
Sole Searcher: What can we expect to see from SB Wear in the near future?
Stephen: We are looking to do a jacket which is more cut and sew that has more of a mature look. Sweatshirts, hoodies but definitely more cut and sew products.
Sole Searcher: Tell us what type of sneakers you have in your sneaker collection?
Stephen: I have maybe 150-200 pairs of sneakers. Mainly Dunks and SB’s.
Sole Searcher: Tell us what your "Holy Grail" sneaker is? Either wanted or owned.
Stephen: The Kristals are my holy grail; they are two shades of Aqua Blue originally dropped in 2004.
Andrew: My holy Grails would most likely be my Lucky’s
Sole Searcher: What is some advice you would give to students looking to become an entrepreneur?
Stephen: Be original and this may sound clique but like Nike “Just Do It”. Too many people hesitate talking about it and everything but you should just be about it. Just do it and someone will follow.
Sole Searcher: How do you guys market yourselves currently?
Andrew: Publications like Addikix, hype beast and others that cater towards our culture.
Stephen: We sold a shirt to almost everywhere in the world except Africa. Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Japan and Korea.
Sole Searcher: Do you guys collaborate on t-shirts and such with other companies, if so which?
Stephen: There is a store in Long Island called Special Sauce and extra butter they are a sneaker store boutique that we are good friends with and they have a real good concept store. Extra butter has a movie theme but it is sneaker culture.
Andrew: Special sauce is a real hardcore skateboard store that has been around since 1994. We did a collabo for the Lobster Dunks and on the back it says “Let’s Get It Crackin with Special Sauce and Extra Butter”.
Sole Searcher: How do you choose the SB’s you will make a t-shirt for?
Stephen: If it has a good storyline behind the sneaker then we collaborate and decide which one we going to do.
Sole Searcher: What is the next collaboration T-shirt you have in store?
Stephen: I am working on a shirt for the Doom Dunks so we are putting that out next. We did the New Era fitted and that was cool so we don’t try to follow trends.
Sole Searcher: Do you have anything to say to all your customers and supporters?
Stephen: I would say thanks for the support and keep coming back we are not going anywhere. Peace.
DIFFERENT PEOPLE OF LIKE MINDS WITH ONE SOLE ©
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Tune in next time when I sit down with my boy over at Dee Town Records, Chris Classic.