Supreme has developed a huge following for its items of clothing and the brand itself, and co-head designer, Ricky Saiz, has played a major role in the success. But the New Yorker, by way of San Francisco, is more than just the concept driver at Supreme. His eye for design has led him to direct and art direct commercial spots for Nike, as well as act as a consultant for Kanye West and DONDA. He's the kind of guy you want to know.
POST NEW recently sat down with Saiz and asked him about his projects and what inspires him to create. Read the full interview here.
When did you make the decision to commit to filmmaking?
Film and video-making has always been the goal, it just took me a while to return to it. I didn't go to school, so I suppose I use my work experience with art and design as an alternate route to help shape my opinions and ideas as far as the types of films I would like to make. My relationship and approach to design is similar to my approach with film- they are both vehicles to tell a story or represent a point of view.
Working for Supreme has played a big role in encouraging and exploring focused ideas and simple execution. My video for Roach Cock started as a big production and in the end it came down to having a cool handful of strong references. I was working in Tokyo at the time I shot Roach Cock and got the idea for the video there. We filmed it handheld in one shot, only a few takes, very no big deal. The song is dirty and fast, some slick video wouldn't have made sense.
Who or what influences/inspires you in your work?
I like ideas that subvert the “norm” or the “standard” approach. People who can take something familiar or everyday and flip it on its head as a rebellion against the status quo. Like Punk in response to the Hippies or Frank Stella reacting against the Abstract Expressionists of the 40’s and 50’s. I love seeing the pendulum swing.
In my day to day my friends constantly inspire me and keep me looking at things in new ways.
So would you say you operate with a sense of collective mindset?
No, not at all but I definitely have a close-knit group of people that I spend most of my time with. My good friend and artist, Aaron Bobrow makes entirely different work than I do but when we meet for a drink and talk about work there is always a sense of overlap, even in process. Same with Hanni, I think it's good to get ideas from people who have known you for a long time
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