Interview – Foreign Family–Clothing Line
Founded in los angeles in the hot summer of 2003, when two friends, chad and mr44, decided to start their own clothing brand. they both wanted to build a brand that was known for originality and intricate hand-drawn designs. hard work and the drive to create good clothing has guided them from the start, from deciding to utilize only original hand drawn artwork, to building an image, fostering their own dedicated following, building an international customer base, freelancing for and collaborating with other brands, and delving into garment production (ie "cut & sew"). foreign family are proud of recent achievements such as being invited to bread + butter in barcelona, launching a worldwide art tour, and the opening of their official headquarters - a design studio in k-town, los angeles.
Arize: I was impressed with the way you guys came up. Freelancing is something that is imperative to getting experience and building your skills in any desired field. How did that branch you guys out more once you started your own brand?
It really helped us out a lot. The people we helped out in the past came through and were there for us when we asked for some help or advice.
Arize: Your hand drawn illustrations are what sets your style apart from a lot of other clothing brands. With a lot of brands focusing on stock art and illustration. How has your audience accepted your style of tees?
Our fam, have accepted our style and have really embraced what we are trying to do and create. Every single person who has on a piece of FOREIGN FAMILY clothing can relate to why they bought it, in terms of self expression and culture. They appreciate what we do and how we go about our business.
Arize: When someone mentions your brands name what do you want the first few words out their mouths to be?
That’s that next level shit.
Every single person who has on a piece of FOREIGN FAMILY clothing can relate to why they bought it, in terms of self expression and culture. They appreciate what we do and how we go about our business.
Arize: So is this strictly a operation of just two guys? Chad and Mr44?
Yes, FOREIGN FAMILY is only operated by MR44, and myself. We keep our game tight everyday, and make sure we know what’s going on 24/7. We handle everything that goes on worldwide for FOREIGN FAMILY. People can think what they want, but it’s just me and 44. No need to have a huge overhead. Just keep it tight keep it right. WE ARE ABOUT TO CONTROL 3 DIFFERENT ENITITIE$ under THE FF ROOF. CHYEAH!
Arize: You guys have some pretty funny shirts. Especially the one with the Mickey mouse hands rollin a joint. Lol. I’m guessing the herb comes into play every now and then?!
Hahaha no comment
Arize: You keep your customers guessing…which builds expectations and tension. What is your newest concept that your willing to share?
The newest concept it nature 2008 that will be dropping in mid to late April. The line is hot and it’s actually the first time we are offering women’s apparel and accessories, so be on the look out for that.
Arize: Being based in LA and having a span of international clientele, what are some of the places you wish to hit next?
Well so far we have been to Tokyo, Barcelona, and Germany. We are going to hit Paris in June, and after that we want to do something in each of the following places. Korea, Italy, and Hawaii. After we hit these next locations we might take a lil break or something or maybe go wife up some ladies real fast and chill.
We have turned a few offers down cause we are waiting for this one shoe brand in particular to hit us up. We won’t say the name but yeah….. holler!
Arize: What other avenues are you guys willing to travel to, ie, shoes, jewelry etc?
We are interested in the jewelry game and have been coming up with concepts and ideas, but need to do some more research. It’s cool cause our buddy is in the diamond trade business. The shoes are cool, but we are just waiting for the right brand to hit us up. We have turned a few offers down cause we are waiting for this one shoe brand in particular to hit us up. We won’t say the name but yeah….. holler!
Arize: Thanks for sitting down with us.
OH no problemo amigo. Thanks for interviewing us and giving us this opportunity. Hey can I get some shout outs tho if its cool. big ups to MR44 and my family. Digitalgravel (nima,john,mani,jp,joshy) Shouts to everyone reppin and supporting FF. Shouts to the homies putting in work right now from the crew We want to say whats up to shot-aaaaaaa! See when u get out G, hold it down and rep. LOS ANGELES! And last but not least thanks to MCdonalds for dropping that new ice coffee, str8 got me hooked.
Arize: Haha...A McDonalds shout out?!! Lol Classic! Links:
