Young Poor & Angry Press

When did you start Immunity Clothing?
Immunity Clothing has been an idea / been in effect since early 2006. However, I wasn’t in a position to get serious with it until LATE 2008.

How did you get Immunity Clothing started?

My best friend in the entire world, Tim Brown, was moving away to college so he and I decided to start a clothing company where we would learn the entire screen printing process from the ground up. I quit my job at the time and we drove up to Oregon. We taught ourselves how to burn an image to a screen, how to apply the ink to the shirts (without a press, this was all done by eyeballing the screen on the shirt.. made for some interesting prints,) how to cure the ink, and how to do it all in 10 days. On the 9th day we ended up staying up for 26 hours, printing 100 shirts, and doing a photoshoot. It was a wild time.

After the Oregon trip I would print shirts from my spare bedroom in Las Vegas for events and friends bands. I ended up printing up 3-4 more designs that way, then ended up moving to New Jersey on a whim after losing my job in late 2008.

In New Jersey I decided to get back on with Immunity and take it seriously. I came up with a business plan so that I could print a shirt a month. I ended up doing over 13 designs from Dec. 2008 and Dec. 2009. I self funded 2 days of Warped Tour where I met a few artists who I would end up sponsoring (P.O.S. and Shad K) as well as selling over 100 shirts.

What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to overcome while establishing Immunity Clothing?

This is a tough question because there is the cliché answer of me saying ‘money.’ But it’s part of the territory. I like having to work to get my shirts pressed and I enjoy the satisfaction of self funding a clothing line. I don’t know if Immunity Clothing would hold the same merit if my parents funded it, or if I was able to take out massive loans for funding.

Is Immunity Clothing completely DIY?

It depends on your definition of DIY. I would like to say yes. I used to print all of my shirts by hand, then I had to move and didn’t have the space. So I taught a good friend of mine, who was also the drummer of my band at the time, how to do the process. We spent a lot of time in his garage learning the proper way to print, learning how to use a printing press, learning the process to use multiple colors. It was rough, but now he is my go to guy for printing. He prints everything for me and is always learning something new. He takes his time and does everything by hand. That sounds about as DIY as it can get if you ask me.

As far as designs go, I like to try to do a majority of them myself. If I find the designs getting stale or boring, or even if I just want to change things up, I am lucky enough to have some awesome friends who are great at design who are willing to help me out.

The barter system is very much alive in the Immunity Clothing camp. We trade things that we are good at, to get things that we are not good at doing. I feel that everyone who is involved, was involved, or will be involved with Immunity Clothing in the future is all on the same wave length as far as what DIY means to them.

Is the DIY style something that is important in creating your designs? If so, what about it makes it so important?

I think I covered that in the last question, but to reiterate. Yes, very much so. If I didn’t believe in doing things DIY then I feel I would be no different than any other clothing company.

What are the aspects of a “positive lifestyle” that you hope to convey to those who wear or see your clothing?

Things get bad, all the time. I mean, sometimes I feel like if I didn’t have bad luck I would have no luck at all. But when it all comes down to it things ALWAYS get better. There is no point in stewing in all over the negative stuff that has happened to you because it won’t do any good for anyone.

My designs aren’t always the most complex and may not be trend setting, but they are ALWAYS honest. I mean, sure I’m going to have a few joke shirts here and there, because no body should take themselves too seriously, but I always mean what I say especially in my shirts.

Does the hardcore community play an important part in your role as a designer, or even as someone living a positive lifestyle?

Oh, of course it does. I’ve involved in my respective hardcore scenes since I was as young as 12. I used to take the bus to shows 3-4 times a week while in middle school. I’ve always had a really supportive mother who would let me do things like that.
I’ve learned so much from hardcore that it would be impossible for me to not include the things that I believe in so much.

Do you think that “staying posi” is something that needs to take a greater hold in the hardcore community?

YES YES YES. I really do. So many bands strive on negativity and the scene today seems like it is so much different from when I was growing up in it. I hate to sound like a jaded scenester here, but it’s true. Crews today are so different and stand for different things than crews used to. The fights, the drama, all of that is something that should just be ignored. More people should focus on the camaraderie and good spirits of hardcore. But maybe that’s just me.

What are some of your new favorite bands/albums?

There are so many bands that I’m amped on right now, but I will try to keep this list as short as possible.

No, Really, I Call Fives, Latin For Truth, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard, XBishopX, Balance And Composure, Fireworks, Last Lights, POS, Drake (Don’t judge me,) The Dangerous Summer, the new Undertow album is awesome,  The Swellers, Stick To Your Guns, The Ghost Inside,  At Half Mast, the new Another Breath album is already one of my favorites of the year, I’m really excited for the Set It Straight reunion I really want to get to California for that show.

So many more bands, but I’m going to stop now.

What are your hopes/what’s next for Immunity Clothing in 2010?

I’m working on a compilation right now that is going to be coming out with the new line that I hope to have printed / ready by the end of February. After that I will be doing a few random shirts here and there until I gear up for Sound and Fury tour which I will be on this summer. Prior to that I’ll be tour managing I Call Fives this summer as well and selling Immunity stuff.  I will be doing some work with my friends in Hoods Up Crew and will hopefully be touring with some of the bands I sponsor or bands that I am friends with. I really just want to get out on the road as much as possible and talk to as many people that will listen to me!

I would also like to give some shout outs here if at all possible.

The following people have greatly impacted my life and have made Immunity Clothing what it is today. These people help me constantly and I feel I am blessed to have such a great circle of friends and family. (in no particular order) My mother, Natasha Crabtree, Tim Brown, Wes Edge [HUC], Shane Snodgrass, Alexander Diner, Robert Weber, No, Really!, Drew Conte and I Call Fives, Chris Hansen, Justin Newman [HUC], Hoods Up Crew, Title Fight, HalfHearted Hero, Latin For Truth, POS, Shad K, and I’m sure I left a bunch of people out, but it wasn’t on purpose I promise.

Keep an eye out for the new shirts! The compilation will be sent out with every order and I have some left over shirts for sale now on my website. You can follow / stalk me on the following websites.

Shop Immunity
Myspace

Twitter

Stay Positive !

Right now there seem to be a blue million clothing companies. Most of them aren’t very legit. Carbon copies of whatever is trendy and popular at the time. Brands like Glamour Kills who mass market to the scene via bright neon colors and kitchy designs that won’t stand the test of time. As someone whose an avid collector of both band t-shirts and unique clothing finds I look for two things: is the design going to be something that’s only popular now and is it something I’m going to want to sport to the local bar as well as a date out. A lot of the time I end up disappointed with a lot of the brands that offer to send me wares. Then there are other clothing companies. Companies who make a mark and a lasting impression on anyone who wears them.

One such clothing company is To Die For. The company is “the product of two brothers love for art, music, and family” according to the the Welshers’ bio on their site. More than a decade the two, Jason Welsher, a drummer and staple in the Orange County hardcore, straight edge music scene, and Josh “Deph” Welsher an urban graffiti artist, toy designer, and skater, fused their influences into what we now know as To Die For clothing.

These guys are not only class acts, but stay true to their roots in the design and quality of their clothes. A lot of the designs are flash inspired that’s got a new school crossed with old school vibe to it. While their website might not be super flashy, they make up for it with a really simple ordering process and some bad ass clothes. I personally have a few shirts by them in my t-shirt collection and pull them out at least once a week.  Dig the sports colorways on the Tangled II, my only beef is that there isn’t a Red Sox colorway. Got to remedy that Jason and Deph!

The recession was the hot fuse to inspire the industries showcases this past FALL09 Fashion Week. Many a designer proved otherwise with their show-stopper and glitzy glamour induced pieces to help evade the clientele’s adoring-eye from the world’s steadfast economic struggle.

In the classic case of Alexander McQueen, there is no stopping his elusive imagination when it comes to the pieces he sent down the runway this season. Grab life by the horns and use every possible option; centerpieces at his show included huge heaps of past season themed pieces, make-up, styling, as well as hairpieces and hats proved there is no worry and to use what little you’ve got left to work with regardless of the material. Soda can hair rollers, hub-cap off center head pieces, trash bag bow ties, you name it. Amongst others, the recession wasnt only a main focus; many designers kept the bare essentials in mind, sleek suits, less than bold color palettes, and especially flattering silouettes highlighted this seasons mainstage.

FALL READY-TO-WEAR HIGHLIGHTS:
This season’s inspirations varied from S&M inspired leather thigh high boots, to broad shoulders in sequined exaggerated one piece ensembles. Four inch heels, exposed unmentionables, lengthy skirts trailing on the runway.

-Leather Pleasure, Biker Chic; Tough leather, embelished/destressed fabrics, heavy knits, Oversized/Androgyny
(See: Alexander Wang, Armand Basi, Balmain, Gareth Pugh, Julien Macdonald, Jean Paul Gaultier)

-Combining Like Terms, Sheer and Fitted; Mesh, elastic/strapy criss-cross accents, form fitting silouettes
(See: Andrew Gn, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci)

-Forties Shortie: Channeling Ingrid Bergman; Oversize Fur collars, knee-length wool coats, solid bold colors; nipped waist, pin-curls, long godet skirts
(See:Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Zac Posen, Bottega Veneta)

-80’s Revival, Tight and Cropped; Slick and chic, leather, latex, bondage, s&m vibe, subtle overaccesorized metal pieces, studs, perpetuating shoulders, fitted silouette
(See: Antonio Berardi, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, Vivienne Westwood)

-Smart Shopper, Basic, Simply & Sleek, Cost efficiant; Sexy chic menswear inspired, budget conscious, dark color palette, corporate vibe, dropped crotch/high waisted, tucked in blouses, suspenders
(See: Burberry Prorsum, Calvin Klein Collection, Chanel, Derek Lam, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent)

Columnist’s Pick: GARETH PUGH, GIVENCHY, BALMAIN

I’ve personally always been a huge fan of Gareth Pugh’s work. This past season he channeled erie meets webbed disastor. Between the textures and embellishment choices he used in his pieces this past collection, his consistent rendering of black shaded color palette clashed so divinely with the novelty fabrics that complimented the body in every exxageration of the matter. I really do appreciate how he uses nothing but blacks and greys within more or less each of his seasons, if not a variety of white amongst the two. Being a designer myself, I’ve idolized his designs and conceptions as an inspiration on my aesthetic aswell, from the hairstyling, makeup, and accesories; his work is my number one highlight of every season past, particularly Fall 2009.

As for Givenchy and Balmain, these designers illuminated the concept of big shoulders, leather accents, feather boa trimmed seams, and no less black pieces to no end. Fitted, above the knee, tailored, and sleek. All qualities of a fine look for this Fall season; to purchase these items whether you be online or look in store you can check out these sites: http://www.openingceremony.us/ http://www.luisaviaroma.com/

‘If you have a particularly outstanding feature it is always a good thing to emphasize it. In fact the whole of fashion is emphasis — emphasis on a woman’s loveliness.’
-Christian Dior

Last night’s MTV Movie Awards should have been retitled the Twilight Awards.  As expected, the film swept most categories and fans had quite the view of Rob Pattinson during the show.  Highlight for me without a doubt was “Bruno’s” but cheeks on Eminem’s face.  From the look of things I’d say it was probably staged on Sacha Baron Cohen’s part.  Eminem looked completely horrified and left the award show immediately following the incident.  In any case, a fantastic publicity stunt for MTV and Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film “BRUNO”.

All young starlets where present and walked the red carpet.  Rob Pattinson and Zac Efron causing quite the ruckus with the fans in general.   Some of the ladies walking the red carpet where right on the money with their choice of looks.  Best dressed for me was Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester who looked edgy and stunning in an Emilio de la Morena  body fitting charcoal cut out dress.  Sienna Miller looked vibrant in an emerald green sparkly number from her and her sister’s line, Twenty8Twelve, paired up with metallic heels.  Even Kirsten Stewart managed to compromise by wearing her own black converse high tops together with a Yigal Azrouël Fall 2009 red and black patterned dress. I loved that Lauren Conrad took a risk by wearing a Moschino ruffled hem dress in navy blue and red floral patterns.  It might not have been to everyone’s taste, but I think she looked better than ever and it made a fashion statement now that she will not be participating anymore in The Hills.

A big disappointment for me was Cameron Diaz.  What was she thinking?  She usually manages to put her own spin to fashion choices she makes and gets away with them.  Not the case with her attire last night.  A Wal-Mart cashier looks better put together than she did for the Awards.  Another big no-no was Megan Fox.  The short dress was a beautiful gold floral pattern by Dolce Gabanna that looked gorgeous on her, but she completely ruined the impact of her attire by slicking back part of her hair like she didn’t have the time to wash it beforehand.  Paired with a completely fake orange tan and Louboutins that gave it a stripper feel, it’s being filed in Bella’s fashion fiasco section.  Miley Cyrus looked rather forgettable in a nude Moschino dress.  Where do I start with Rumur Willis, my oh my, she looked right out of a slasher film in a patchwork geometric one shoulder Pucci dress.  She should stick to simple, well cut dresses from now on.

I felt somehow like this year there was a lack of Hollywood glamour missing at the MTV Movie Awards.  There were almost more reality stars (oxymoron anyone?) in attendance than actual movie stars.  Hopefully next year the awards can, as in previous years, make a good combination of both…or at least a more fashionable one.