Do not confuse with Young Jeezy’s song “Trap Star” London label Trapstar initially created custom t-shirts for their pals around seven years ago. But due to the growing demands, Mikey Trapstar and his group of friends were forced other than to alter the policy of the company to appeal to the crowds. The brand is known for its striking, graphic t-shirts as well as the Trapstar jacket and LDN-repping caps brand has now opened an outlet in the London’s Portobello Road, as well as an online store. With their clothing spotted by Rihanna, The Weeknd, Rita Ora, Iggy Azalea and A$AP Rocky and the model Cara Delevigne who isn’t often papped with her Trapstar beanie and hat, these Londoners continue to make a distinction between street and high-end clothing. So Noisey pins down Mikey to see the latest developments.
There’s a general desire for an item from Trapstar nowadays. It’s become an impressive brand. If it’s not Cara delevigne snapping selfies in ghetto-style Trapstar beanies Then it’s Rihanna being snapped to the city in one of her original Trapstar pieces. Let me know about the journey from London famous label to a sought-after global company…
Mikey: [LaughsMikey: [Laughs] Cara isn’t ghetto. JP she’s G’d-up! There’s a huge distinction. Ghetto is the jumping of barriers to avoid an PS8 ticket using PS40 on your side. G’d up is seated in a 5-star restaurant wearing an unflattering t-shirt and kicks, and not doing anything but a snooze, as all the dolly birds and suits look at you! That’s Cara. Cara doesn’t follow fashion. the fashion chases her. Trapstar was started with me, along with two other friends–Lee Trapstar and Will Trapstar around 7 years ago. The online stores were not as popular at the time and we faced difficult times obtaining stockists due to the recession was hitting and they weren’t willing to take a risk with the new brand. We came up with a new idea. We came up with a pop-up store system dubbed Trapstar Invasion. We named it so because we felt that we were being snubbed and exiled from the business, even having thousands of loyal supporters. We needed to make things the hands of our customers. The system gradually grew out of London and into Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester as well as New York. It finally reached an extent, in the year 2010 when we could afford to build an exclusive store for ourselves in West London located on Portobello Road.
Rihanna along with Models Cara Delevigne and Georgia May Jagger. But what are you paying the stars to wear your outfits? You can’t do this for desire to please…
I pay them with check which bounce within 30 days! No, I’m not messing with you. We don’t charge for people to put on our clothing. It’s all about love and I’m thankful for this. I believe everything must be organic. What can one say to someone, “I’ll wear your clothes to shop in exchange for a fee”? It’s a clear indication that they do not like your brand, therefore why would they want to force it? Forget about fashion for a second. As a human with self-respect, you must only collaborate with those who are willing to work with you.
Wise. You’ve been in close contact to the hip-hop scene, as well. In the past, Trapstar’s hosted unforgettable events with A$AP Rocky during the early times, and Stalley and many more. How do you develop such a close connection with these musicians?
We’re probably following the same trend, but I happen to be trendy. It’s at the point where you know who they know, and that their friends will use the brand’s name to refer to it. We’ve done many hours of effort in the community and word spreads and relationships develop and then we connect. I wouldn’t ever beg my friend to convince an individual to join Trapstar which is flimsy and snarky at the top degree.
Benga was the face of the campaign that you recently launched for your collaboration with the computer game Hitman: Absolution. What brought this collaboration from?
We were targeted because of our colors and brand’s ethics. Benga is a close friend of mine and I thought it was an excellent in-house choice. Benga matched the project to the letter! It was a truly awesome project actually. I had the chance to explore my darker imagination, and I was allowed to visit the gun range to create a terrifying video under water, with bullets. We weren’t detained for it! This is a win in my book!
It’s a brand new initiative that’s been launched by Glaceau Water called #shinebright, where you’re searching for the next fashion icon to work alongside you to gain valuable practical experience in the fashion industry. What kind of experience are you looking for when it comes time to make a the moment of decision?
I’m just looking for some creativity and a sense of hunger. It’s not necessary to be the most popular or the most robust brand, since this is a financial issue and the entire point for the marketing campaign is simply to aid them. They need to radiate the kind of energy that makes people believe that they’ll last for many years to become. I’ve been there. to be in need of that little hand to move to the second stage. I believe we’ve received such a lot of support, it’s only fitting to offer back our support and let some young talent shine.
Certain people believe that British streetwear is dying. Some claim that it’s changing. Thoughts?
British streetwear? Dead? Wow! What bitter men have you had conversations with? There’s no doubt that the world is changing however, that’s part of the cycle of life. There’s nothing identical to 10 years ago. Music or fashion, sport as well as food. As I see it you need to change to the changing times or kick yourself into caves, and eventually disappear. A growing number of people are proud to represent the UK and I believe things are moving in the right way.
