Stall & Dean breaks out of Rikers!!!!

Kool G Rap once told us all that "You won't be smiling on Rikers Island, but then no man is an island onto himself. I guess working at for a time test sportswear company promotes the epitome of team work and gallant grins for the game.

Stall and Dean(http://www.stallanddean.com) has been around since 1898 and is still kicking alive and well. The handy work of the brand finding itself as an inner city staple is partially due to Rikers. He is a one man army moving through the gauntlet of marketing to smooth negotiations of private label. I had a chance to chat with Rikers, so check it out below.....

How long have you been down with Stall & Dean, what brought you to the company?

I been with Stall and Dean going on 7. I was over at PNB Nation (before Nick Canon purchased the brand) working w/ the kid Brue and after being there a few years and watching the company grow, it was like what's next.

Where did you grow up at?

Brooklyn during school months and Halifax county, NC for the summers. I was blessed by having the best of both worlds for instance in NC, I was going fishing and dirt bike riding, in NY it was gang infested Flatbush and the strong hustling carribbean kats.

What do you currently do for the company?

I'm the Marketing Director of both Stall and Dean; and Rucker clothing lines. Stall and Dean, I do most of the marketing, including product placement, insight on development and company direction, working on fit specs, trends and event planning. With Rucker that includes working with High School teams we sponsor as well as looking to community outreach with the Rucker Foundation. This includes park refurbishing and speaking at schools and youth centers.

When you were a kid did you want to be?

Hmmm, I still want to be the guy on the runways that signal the planes with the two flashlights. At 70 I'll go to JFK and apply for that job...haha, but once I reached High school I wanted to be a Corrections officer. I'm not sure what it is with these airplanes and jail bars.

What is one electronic device that you own that you can't live with out?

Blackberry, i receive about 300 emails a day, if it wasn't for the blackberry... Wow.

Where did you last go to the movies at?

New Jersey to see the Simpsons movie. I rarely get down time and I refuse to watch bootlegs.

Which one of your family members are you closest to?

I'm really a stay to myself person, but I'd have to say both parents equally. Its just a strange relation. Moms christian and Dad muslim so its like a war to convert at the dinner table...haha

Most companies rarely make it to 10 years, what was the secret to success for Stall & Dean making it to 110 yrs?

Strong commitment to customer service which entails quality, being dependable and refusing not to lose. That same energy Mr. C. Stall and W. Dean put into the company for its strong foundation...we do the same to make sure 110yrs later we don't let up. We do our best to keep a family setting, this creates a peaceful enviroment, quality... We use the best factories and have some of the hottest designers we could find, being different, we use stitch, piping, herringbone twills, 40% wool blend camps, lambs wool skullys... When you wear Stall and Dean, you know u wearing the best. An atitude like that, mixed in with backing up what we say is why next stop is 125year anniversary.

What is a hobby of yours that many don't know about?

I'm a serious history book collector. I have some classics mixed in with mainstream. I don't do novels. I just copped the King James Daemonolgy from 1597 and the three volume Moorish Empire in Europe. This was the first known King James Bible and the Moorish Empire in Europe.. I haven't even broken the binder so I don't know what's in it.

What was the most unexpected turning point of your life?

I was shot 5 times at point blank range. I was also under for a little while. That made me look at life entirely different. I had to evaluate my life and say, I can't waste one day because up to that point I was getting it in, but cool and collective, now its like... Everyday since I been on complete overdrive.

Are any of the Stalls or the Deans still affiliated with the company?

Up to the 1980s yes, then a sports collector named Russ Mckinnon out of Boston was offered an oppurtunity to take complete control of the company. Adding in two other partners Mr. Cuff and Chung, he was able to streamline and continue the rich legacy of Stall and Dean. It was due to his diligence as a sports fan that he was able to make the transition to owner.

If you weren't living in the United States where do you think you would be?

Bahamas, Morocco or Madagasgar. My next stop is definatly one of those places...haha.

Who was the first girl to break your heart in your youth?

Hmmm, this may sound weird but I wasn't into girls until High School. It was home, school and the streets for me. So any breakups I could just brush it off, but there weren't any for the most part.

What are some new and exciting things that you all are doing over at Stall & Dean?

We just did a ultra successful flap cap. Ours featured a 40% wool blend (stronger construction, little to no shrinkage) and lined with satin. We always want to offer more. We did duck filled reversable vest with piping. We also added duck down canvas jackets trimmed in premium leather with matching caps. Lambs wool skullys, scarfs and vest and our spring were opening the catalog for edgy, generation X pieces. Same teams, but were making a good reach.

Mac or PC?

Does that mean McDonalds and PfChangs?...haha, definetly PC.

What are some of the brand collaborations that you have done that have been the most memorable to you?

Besides Rucker, we basically stay in house. Dealing with a 110yr old company looking to adhere to todays market... I see it as we are First on the Field and last off, same as Rucker with there motto "Respect Tradition"... So even though we want to... Its very limited. Like for Rucker to do a callabo with let's say a 5 year old shoe company it doesn't speak to the Rucker enthusist as if they did a callabo with Pro Keds or Converse. So it will only work with a reputable basketball brand. Same as Stall and Dean, but in 2008 I will entertain offers to bring to the table, we have atleast 30 offers from serious and strong companies right now, but we'll have to see.

If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would want my super power to be birthed on the planet Krypton so I can have all of superman powers.

Drop a jewel for the people about how to keep a brand relevant for 110 yrs?

Consistent, honest, loyal and dependable. All of these are needed to stay mindful and respected. You must be one with the brand... In doing that, you should do a deep analysist on the brand and the ins and outs of its past so you understand where to take it in the future. Its almost like life, Knowledge of self is the basis a strong foundation. Once you know who you are, no one can fret you, same as your brand.


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