DRENCH: I know you’re here in Atlanta, attending the Art Institute, but tell our readers where you hail from?
McFly: I'm originally from Cleveland Ohio, Maple Heights to be exact.

DRENCH: Is Breezy McFly an alter ego or a persona of who you really are?
McFly: Breezy McFly is a combination of two names....Breezy comes from one of my friends who said I was cool as the breeze( I know that’s corny)...and McFly comes from the way I dress and design...it’s like I take old stuff from the past and combine them with the future. I've decided to drop the Breezy and just stick with McFly...kinda like Diddy did. (Laughs)

DRENCH: What has the journey been like from your first clothing design to currently having your very own clothing line?
McFly: Man, I started designing clothes at the age of 13...I was always into art and I used to sketch out little pictures of designs....back then it was called RAAW....which stands for real artist at work....then it went from sketches to fabric paint and hand painted custom shirts and jeans...I did that all the way up till last year...when I interned for a clothing production company called Black Market...there I learned a few tips and got an inspiration to start my own line.

DRENCH: Would you mind telling us where that inspiration came from?
McFly: Just watching them do the designs and working on designs...they showed me how to apply my ideas to garments....I was inspired to make something different...make some fresh designs for men and women...the street wear game is dominated by mens brands and I just wanted to give females some of the same opportunity to be fly too, you know.

DRENCH: That's what I like to hear. I understand that you are not only a clothing designer, but also the creative director, editor, photographer, and web designer for your clothing line web site! How do you do it???
McFly: (Laughs) Yeah, well when your passionate about your craft and you have a vision of where you want to take things, you have to do whatever it takes to get there...I am an artist, art and design are my Passion. I love to take the photos, design the website, promote the website, market the line...this is my life...I've made a decision that this is what I'm going to do so I have to put my all into it. I feel that if you are not ready to give something your all then why do it?

DRENCH: Self sufficiency, I love it. Did I leave any other of your many occupations out?
McFly: (Laughs) I also model the line too.

DRENCH: (Laughs) Of course. You've dubbed your line as "Street Couture”. Tell us, “what is the significance of “Street Couture?”
McFly: I'm so happy you asked that question. Ok the concept of street couture is taking the concept of Couture and flipping it putting a street wear vibe and feel to it, but just recently I was talking to a designer in from Paris and he asked me the same question after I answered him, he said he understood the concept but that I might want to take the Couture part off because its kind of offensive to Couture designers. He also said I will be frowned upon in places outside of the us U.S....I totally understand what he was saying and I have decided to change the name. Dropping the "street couture", and just calling it The Populars. He opened my eyes to a mistake that could have really hurt the line.

DRENCH: Understandably so. I'm sure that Couture has influenced your line. Who are your favorite couture designers or house and do they have an influence you?
McFly: Man, well, all of them, but my favorites are Pucci and Dior...I read stories about how they became who they are today and it was really inspirational... I'm a fan of haute couture but I don't really let people know that because we live in a very judgmental world. Where a man can't be into fashion without being gay...

DRENCH: (Laughs) Don't be. Although, it is such a shame that Christian Dior was only with us for just ten years. Yet, you see the impact he did made on the fashion world. Keep that in mind.
McFly: Exactly...It doesn't take a lifetime to build a lifestyle.

DRENCH: Is there anyone else, who has a major influence on you?
McFly: I'm really influenced by 80's hip hop and new wave music...and art from the 80's, the whole pop art movement inspires me....I take inspirations from many many sources

DRENCH: What is your greatest fear as a designer?
McFly: My greatest fear, period, is being unsuccessful...that has always been my biggest fear...that is why I work so hard...day in and day out so I don't ever have to face that fear

DRENCH: What keeps you motivated, even with that fear?
McFly: My motivation is like my inspiration, I pull it from various sources...my family is a big motivation and I have a core set of friends that motivate me...I'm also a very competitive person...so when I see other brands or other clothing lines making good designs that makes me want to do better...makes me want to step my game up to make the line the best I can...and the customers...the fresh kids of the world motivate me to keep coming with designs that they love.

DRENCH: What does Breezy McFly have to offer to the world?
McFly: My all, I plan to keep doing my best and making fresh designs. Offering the world an alternative to the everyday fashions that you see… And bring back a few styles and fashion trends you thought were gone forever...each season I plan to come with new styles, new flavors, and just keep giving the world all that my imagination has to offer

DRENCH: I love your passion, but now I want to talk about your line. What made you choose the name " The Populars"?
McFly: Thanks, I feel that to live life without passion is to live life dead to the world. Well The Populars is the collective of Popular Goodies, which is the female line and Popular Flyness, which is the male line....the name popular comes from the "pop" world like pop music or pop art....its just saying that this is what's popular...so I took that and made the concept of Popular Goodies which is basically saying that for a female what's popular to her is her goodies, and that's what everybody wants....but they are Hers! YouU know what I'm saying, and for the men it’s the same concept...what's popular for him is his "flyness, his swagger". The people that have goodies, flyness, or swagger are always the popular people...So I'm saying that to live the popular lifestyle youu gotta have The Populars(laughs)

DRENCH: What segment/segments of the population is “The Populars” geared for?
McFly: Well the target audience is the young fresh people of the world...from the ages 12-35....that doesn't mean that people who don't fit in that age range won't find something they like...or will be denied freshness. It just means that these are the people I am trying to touch with The Populars.

DRENCH: I can tell that “The Populars” is influenced by the 80s; will it continue to stay in that direction?
McFly: Yes the 80's and early 90's is a big part of the line…so until something in the new millennium inspires me, The Populars will have an 80's feel....I mean that is why they call me McFly (laughs)....all I need now is a DeLorean.

DRENCH: Through fiscal eyes, fashion is a multi-billion dollar business. How do you identify your competition and deviate from them?
McFly: When I see fashion, I look at it in a different way...most designers follow the trends...follow the same color patterns...but what I do is design from my mind… I don't really follow trends...I try to make them or bring them back to life...I don't really see anybody as competition...like I design for the love of it...I create because I love doing it....not to make a dollar...I think that separates me from a lot of people who just do it because they can...like it’s a million and one clothing lines out...but I could count on my fingers the number that really love their craft...for me it’s nothing better than to see a perfect stranger wearing one of your designs....or seeing a member of your family getting compliments at work or school for one of your designs....

DRENCH: I could only imagine that feeling. Speaking of business…how is your line doing so far?
McFly: Well each season we get better so progressively each season business has gotten better...the fall line dropped Aug. 31st and I'm really happy with the results so far...only time will tell how well we do this season...this is the first season the online store has been open and it’s doing really well....The Populars are not yet in any boutiques...but that's another story(laughs)

DRENCH: Why should our readers choose your line over already established lines such as Enyce, LRG, or Rocawear?
McFly: First off I want to say I respect all the lines mentioned especially the good folks at LRG...I really like what they are doing....but as far as choosing The Populars....it’s a new fresh way to look at fashion...it’s a chance to express yourself with out saying a word...in future seasons we have some pieces that will speak for themselves...when you go into a party and you have the same shirt as two other people, how does that make you feel? I know I hate it so there will be exclusive one time only pieces that will be dropping annually...and the line itself won't be sold in any major chain stores, it might be held at you local boutique, but that's the extent of it....so if you want to be unique...fresh and innovative...you gotta roll with The Populars

DRENCH: What are some of the responses, both positive and negative, that you’ve gotten regarding your line to date?
McFly: Man, well we’re gonna start with the negative...the folks have been real receptive with the line but a few things people were saying early on was "Psssh he will never make it" or "the Populars is no different than all the other lines"...or "why u got that big mouth on the bandanna, looks stupid"....now its like the positive responses drown out the negative and I rarely hear bad things....I got some big designers to give me positive responses so I have confidence that I'm going in the right direction.

DRENCH: Just curious, how were the people who responded negatively dressed?
McFly: (Laughs) You know the white tee fresh forces...the average everyday kids or the hypebeasts.....Baped out throwin up star track, knowing they aint even met Pharrell...no disrepect to Nigo tho....cuz I love Bape but its been bootlegged so bad its lost its value...that’s another thing I pray doesn't happen to the line...the bootleggers are crazy

DRENCH: If you could give your line a theme song, what would it be?
McFly: Hmmmm that’s so hard (laughs) Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina....(laughs)

DRENCH: What celebs would you love to see in “The Populars”?
McFly: Man u know what the people right off the bat is Lupe, Kanye, Lily Allen, M.I.A., John Mayor, Lady Soveriegn, Alicia keys,....And its a whole host of models...Oh and Baby Blue....I like her style

DRENCH: You have a men’s clothing line, “Popular Flyness.” I’m going to direct our conversation on that line now.

DRENCH: A question on a particular piece in the Popular Flyness Fall collection…The "Kinga Pop" tee, is that Michael Jordan crowned? (I know some great Air Maxes that go extremely well with it:
McFly: Yea that concept of that tee is Mike has a crown and his tongue has a popular print on it...it comes in 4 colors...

DRENCH: What is your favorite piece in the Popular Flyness Fall collection and why?
McFly: The lazeher shirt...it has a new wave feel to it and will work well with almost any kicks

DRENCH: The Popular Flyness line is currently made up of tees and hoodies. What vision do you have for expansion of this line?
McFly: It also has the bandannas, but yea I plan on getting into hats as well as belts....and maybe denim....

DRENCH: What does “The Populars’” winter line look like?
McFly: Mean!!...that's all I'm gonna say....Watch what we do for Halloween…OH yea, its gonna be a lot of exclusive things dropping celebrating the one year anniversary....

DRENCH: I can't wait. What are your future endeavors for Popular Street Couture as far as fashion shows, conventions, etc. locally, nationally, or even internationally?
McFly: Well the plan is to open up boutiques in Cali and London...and model searches...for the newest freshest faces....and the always keeping the designs fresh and innovative...and maybe a magazine....Maybe a few more boutiques.

DRENCH: Where can we find/purchase your Popular Street Couture?
McFly: www.Popularphasion.com or you can contact McFly directly email pop_flyness@yahoo.com. “The Populars” are not yet in boutiques so this is the only place to get popular.

DRENCH: If you had an opportunity to have a one paragraph ad in some of the major newspapers or magazines, i.e., New York or L.A. Times, Vogue, Atlanta Journal…, what would it read?
McFly: Be innovative, Be original, Be yourself, Be Popular. The Populars are dedicated....Dedicated to keeping you looking as fresh as you feel. Tired of the sameness that urban fashion has become? Be Popular. (Insert picture here...Laughs)

DRENCH: Anything else you would like to tell our readers?
McFly: Thanks for all the support, I won't let you down...each season will be better than the last so tune in to www.Popularphasion.com. Come back early and often.

DRENCH: Wonderful. Thank you for all your time and we will be checking up on you Mr. McFly.
McFly: Thanks, much love.

• end •

Resources:
Looking For Popular Phashion?
www.popularphasion.com

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