Decision...

[Gone Corporate]

I'm curious to see what some of you would do in the following scenario. This is one of those hypothetical situations:

You own an up & coming brand that not too many people have heard of, but you are in a few respected stores. Your ultimate goal is to create a lifestyle brand. You now have the opportunity to potentially work on something associated w/ Karmaloop.com. Karmaloop has an average of OVER ONE MILLION UNIQUE visitors each month. They also, on their main site, carry brands such as Stussy, Staple, Artful Dodger, Obey, LRG, Triple 5 Soul, etc.

Would you go ahead and work w/ Karmaloop, knowing that at least a percentage of those 1 million would see your stuff and you could potentially create your lifestyle brand or would you keep grindin' it out and not work w/ them?

... just a hypothetical....

btw, Luchador tee, now available for pre-order at www.gonecorporatelifestyle.com. Got some love yesterday on highsnobiety's main page.. gyea.

peace

[BonitaApplebum]

I'd do both. I'd work with Karmaloop but keep doing my own thing as well.

[Claystar]

I'm curious to see what some of you would do in the following scenario. This is one of those hypothetical situations:

You own an up & coming brand that not too many people have heard of, but you are in a few respected stores. Your ultimate goal is to create a lifestyle brand. You now have the opportunity to potentially work on something associated w/ Karmaloop.com. Karmaloop has an average of OVER ONE MILLION UNIQUE visitors each month. They also, on their main site, carry brands such as Stussy, Staple, Artful Dodger, Obey, LRG, Triple 5 Soul, etc.

Would you go ahead and work w/ Karmaloop, knowing that at least a percentage of those 1 million would see your stuff and you could potentially create your lifestyle brand or would you keep grindin' it out and not work w/ them?

... just a hypothetical....

btw, Luchador tee, now available for pre-order at www.gonecorporatelifestyle.com. Got some love yesterday on highsnobiety's main page.. gyea.

peace


Gone Corporate - as someone who's getting into the marketing field himself I'd say that as long as Karmaloop is projecting the right "image" that you want associated with your brand then it would be a good idea to work with them. At the same time, in building a lifestyle brand you definitely want to somehow create a connection with your prospective consumers.

Not saying that it can't be done but building a lifestyle brand is challenging. I suggest that you research other brands (i.e. Supreme & Alife) to see how exactly they achieved this. In doing so, don't rule out other companies that have managed to achieve a "cult-like" status (i.e. Medicom Toys, The Diplomats, and Louis Vutton). I've found out that some companies have taken years to achieve this and some have done it over night...Connecting with your audience is the key.

It wouldn't hurt to have someone famous/controversial to endorse your product as well.

Keep doing your thing and stay positive homie...

[rasclaaat]

Heard a lot of bad stuff about KL over the years...I'd say don't attach your name to anything you do with them. Just charge them a consultation fee, get your loot, and move on and do your thing. How you gonna feel when they got your tees on 38.973% off because this months sales reports didn't equal their dollars doublin????

[andrew3sixteen]

hey mike, PM me your email...

[jeremy]

heh mike waddup!

[zev 1]

It depends on the consumer your trying to attract. KL is mainstream, I buy some atrful shit from them, but they don't have the underground appeal associated with streetwear. I was suprised to see your shit in some better known stores cause I thought you were just another hypebeaster postin your designs here for feedback. Congrats on that. I'll fucks wit you when you start makin XXL!

[cpaik]

I've heard bad stuff about KL. I heard they have poor relations with their suppliers. like checks that go out maaaaaad late or not at all, hassling, etc. If i were you, i'd pass

[steppingrazor]

mike i would feel it out yourself. youre going to be the best judge of what is good for your company, just use your best instincts. one thing i can tell you is in the eyes of smaller boutiques, having your brand on a larger mailorder site is somewhat of a legitimizer. it means that your name will be seen by more people and that means more people will recognize the brand when they come into their shop, and be more likely to buy it.

[Gone Corporate]

I appreciate the responses. Some good thoughts & opinions on here.

Andrew- good talking w/ ya.. haha.. i was driving & textin & trying to eat.. not a good thing... lol...

Jeremy- what up?!

Zev 1- I never planned to be a hypebeast brand. I've been doing fashion for a while now & got some history behind me. My only problem was I could never decide on a name to stick with. I only posted the designs on here b/c I wanted feedback & opinions on stuff I was going to release anyways. XXL, hopefully this fall/winter homie!

Graham- Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate the support & opportunity you've given me to work w/ your store. I PMed you.
Anyone in the Inland Empire, Temecula or surrounding areas, make sure to visit VERSUS!! www.versusstore.com

[swagking]

Mike,

Good job by the way. Getting someone like Karmaloop to notice your brand is a good thing.

However, my concern is that... are you ready for them? Are you ready for the market? But at the same time... isn't the goal is to make money?

I think that, as a new company like yours should grow in proportions. Why? You might blow up too big on Karmaloop then how long will your audience last?

Another concern I would look at is, since your audience is relatively pretty small... will they purchase your goods at little boutiques or will they all purchase from Karmaloop; leaving stock at the little boutiques?

[DrewDogg]

congrats on having these stores carrying you man, it's good to see.

the luchador tee is nice, i like it.

[Gone Corporate]

we'll see whats up.... I have another brand thats launching that I might work w/ them on.. I'm thinking about keeping G/C low key....

btw.. my Adriana Lima tee is back on sale at www.thefizix.com

they sold out the first time, so don't sleep. Also 5 & A DIME sold out of the Lima tee as well, but I'm going down there on saturday to take their re-order.

G/C.. trying to make moves & handle business.. thats whats up

[DUM]

^I like that tee, but if the print was on the collar it'd be so much doper.