Chatting with a PHENOMenon named JON

We had a chance to get up with Jon Phenom (www.jonphenom.com) some time ago. He is an extraordinary dude that is the definition of the modern day renaissance man. Check out what he had to say when we got up....

How is it that you were born in Japan and raised in San Diego?

My dad was in the Navy. So Alexander and I were born on the base. I grew up in San Diego.

Have you been back to Okinawa since?

Nope. My distributor Diplo and I are planning a few things for Japan though.

What is it that you do at PreQuel mag and how long have you been
affliliated with it?

Been with th PQ fam since the beginning. I knew Hin and Carlyle from fixins and Soled Out. As fashion editor I style the editorial for each issue with Mikey T (photo editor). I get a license to explore different concepts and create storylines like in my Production Design work.

How has having siblings help you to grow as a designer?

I'm tight with my fam. They've supported me all the way through.

Where did you get your moniker from and when?

The Jp butterly logo was my signature when I did artwork. I wanted my signature to be recognizeable and it eventually lent itself as my logo.

How long have you and Rickey Kim been friends and how have you challenged one another?

I met Rickey in 2000, I think. He's been my marketing mentorand my closest confidant.
I'm lucky to have met him I'm my lifetime. I feel like he's a pr genious.

Many people may not know this about you but how long have you been rhyming?

Since like middle school. I use to think I could never be a rapper though because I grew up in middle class and I wasn't black. But yeah, I've been in the booth here and there. I love hip hop and I always will.

Where did you learn how to drape, cut and sew your own jeans?

I actually kinda learned on my own. You know how some people play the piano by ear? When I first got on a sewing machine I was able to produce garments and bags. When I studied a piece the construction just made sense to me.

What superhero powers did you want to have as a kid?

Probably invincibility. Or flying.

What were some of the ups and downs of creating your own jeans by hand?

Well, I was bored of making bags and purses. I was asking myself what the hardest thing would be to make by hand. And I came up with jeans. When it took off I was surprised as shit. I had orders all around the world in a matter of months.

How did you hook up with Alyasha?

Met Aly when I was 18. I just gradusted from hIgh school and he had come from Mecca and Phat Farm with Russel Simmons. Just meeting him inspired me to become a designer.

What was the name that you got your first kiss from and what grade
was it (how long did the love last)?

Umm. I don't really remember. And not long.

How has the internet helped you as a brand?

Immensely. Internet is the proving grounds for tipping points and the new frontier for modern marketing.

What was the 5th grade elementary school that you drew?

Our mascot was the coyotes. I drew a vicious one with a mean look and saliva coming from it's teeth. They edited it but I won.

What are some of your favorite freelance jobs that you feel that you surprised yourself creatively?

That's hard to answer. Each one is different for me. I take each project into it's own. The dope thing about contracted work is it's a collaboration between me and the actual label. So it more matters to me that they get the vision of what they wanted .

What are your web shows "Street Knowledge" and "The Hay Fam Show"?

Well, St. Knowledge is an educational show you can say. I pair up with friends from the industry to answer questions about getting the streetwear industry. Hay Fam is more of an open format show. I talk with all kinds of interesting cats in fashion, music, film, art whatever. Hay Fam is more of a storytelling show.

You seem to be a modern day street wear renaissance man what other creative passions do you have?

Film. I've always loved film. I do production design for music videos and events. And believe it or not I feel it's and extension of styling and fashion design in a lot of ways.

From a creative aspect where do you think streetwear fashion and the industry needs to evolve to next?

Nothing. I think the nature of streetwear as a 'cool' industry perpetually recreates itself like film or music. Now wether I like where it goes or not, that's another question. I realize fashion will trend how it will reguardless of how I feel towards it.

Drop a jewel for the people about marketing a cut and sew brand?

Be bold. See where everyone is going and run the other way (stratigeically not stupidly). Just as in any hustle kind of industry you can create smarter ways of spearating your brand from others. In that reguard there is no industry standard.


Tell a friend to tell a friend so we can BUILD!!!!