How a Tumblr Page Became a Successful Streetwear Brand With Alex Lopez of YOUTH OF PARIS

As of late, France’s streetwear scene has become an ever-changing landscape, bolstered by up-and-coming labels passionate to ground themselves as brands from the culture, for the culture. Notable among the ranks is YOUTH OF PARIS, a fledgling brand conceived as a Tumblr page in 2011 by young Parisian fashion stylist, blogger and consultant Alex Lopez, who presented a smashing capsule collection titled “Leave Me Alone” for the Spring 2016 season. With an accompanying hometown lookbook shot around the French capital’s La Madeleine area, the range of graphic hoodies, tees and caps was as gritty as it was refreshing. Fucking Young! caught up with Lopez to learn more about his fervent drive and determination that’s catapulting this young designer as a rising name in the fashion industry. View our favorite excerpts below and read the full piece here.

When did you first discover your interest in fashion?

I think I was just 13 years old. I started to play in a basketball team and I increasingly became interested in style more. I started looking up to all the latest kicks and reading 5 Majeur magazine (a magazine about the basket ball that I loved), where I was able to check out all the latest releases. Music was also fundamental to me. I was heavily influenced by the U.S. hip hop and rock culture. Do you remember the style of Ja Rule, Fabolous, Jagged Edge with all these Pelle Pelle, Sean John, Phat Farm and Akademiks stuff? That was the best era — so inspiring to me! But my first real interest in fashion was thanks to my grandmother. She was an owner of stores and worked with many brands too. She showed me the way. She is my mentor. I miss her greatly.

How did the idea of starting a blog came out?

I started with Tumblr in 2011, for me it was a REVOLUTIONARY platform where people can discover new things and share their vision at the same time. It was great, but I wanted more, I wanted to make things in a more structured way, if you know what I mean… So I decided to start my own website. The website was a very good platform to share my ideas and connect with people around the world. Every project I have been involved in from then on was somehow thanks to my blog.

Describe your style in 5 words.

Classic, Honest, Grunge, Futurist, Adapted

What is going to be the next big change in the fashion industry?

So much things are happening right now! I think the fashion industry is on current mutation, a few brands start to do something different about production, communication, distribution for stores and sales. We are in the middle of the digital era, where people make their choices on the internet. Now all fashion shows can be in streaming, we are in a society where people want everything to be fast. The independent brands have certainly their card to play nowadays, they can make the difference and bring their own rules.

Tell me about your plans for the immediate future.

First of all the launch of my brand, then the re-opening of my website, collaborations with some people, brands and artists… All positive.