Screen Shot: JACKMOVE®

City Based: Brooklyn, NY

What inspired the brand name?

Jackmove is a street term. The origins of the word represent everything that my city embodies. When you look past the travel brochures and tourist attractions and get to the core of New York City you'll see that it's raw. It's cutthroat. It's tough. No matter the race religion the people of my city all have those things in common and there's a lot of beauty in that. I just wanted to shed light on it.

At what moment did you realize you wanted to start a brand?

I decided to start a brand back in 2017. I ran that for 3 years and really wasn't happy. I was following trends and trying to make everyone happy but myself. I still had a strong desire to keep creating though so I ultimately decided to start fresh with the focus of sharing my vision and living with the results.

JACKMOVE® was supposed to come much later than it did but two knee surgeries and the pandemic slowed the pace of my life down so much in 2020 that, like most, I had the most free time I've ever had. I learned a lot about the business and marketing side of things in that time span so I decided to bite the bullet and just started it.

Word of advice to any one out there waiting to do anything: Just do the shit.

What helps you get over creative blocks?

Most of the time I just work through it. I also make sure to get out of my own head and stay confident even when I know I'm not coming up with the best ideas. I've been creating art since I was 13 so creative blocks don't really phase me the way they used to anymore. If you shoot a basketball a million times it'll most likely go in the hoop at least once. I try to keep that mentality when it comes to creating.

What is the biggest mistake you have made?

I've made every mistake under the sun when it comes to this craft. I've missed deadlines, I've lost thousands of dollars on poorly executed ideas, I really messed up a lot lol. The one that always seems to stand out to me though was the way I approached my first brand. I half assed it and tried to take the easy way out every chance I got and like every wide eyed kid who starts a streetwear brand I actually believed that doing it that way would cut it. It doesn't. I learned that the hard way and it really humbled me and taught me to always give everything I have.

What is the biggest success you have had?

So far it's been building a growing community of really loyal followers. We're still a relatively small brand but the people who rock with us really rock with us and that feels amazing.

A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION PEOPLE MAY FIND WEIRD?

Old magazines, comic books and vinyl records. I have an extensive collection of all three and find inspiration from them all the time.

Favorite color to use?

This changes every single day but I think red may have the slight edge over every other color.

ARE THERE ANY RETAIL SHOPS YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU BRAND IN?

Honestly I've never aspired to be in any retail shops. I'd eventually like to open my own.

ANOTHER BRAND THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

I've always really admired the masterminds behind brands more than actual brands. Nigo, Erik Brunetti, James Jebbia, Shawn Stussy (and many others) have all inspired me (and continue to inspire me) in some way, shape or form.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND THE BRAND IN 1 YEAR AND 5 YEARS?

In one year I'd like to continue building on what we already have going. Hopefully we keep attracting people who believe in the vision. In five years I wanna see us as a staple in the streetwear community and craft. Maybe a storefront in our hometown as well. I think we have the potential to get there.

IN 5 WORDS OR LESS DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND?

Last of a dying breed.