Image via Complex Original
It's hard to make it these days. In anything, really, but especially as a recognizable entity in the style or fashion realm. With newcomers soliciting for attention every five minutes on twitter and Instagram, it's pretty tough to standout. You gotta have that one - or in some cases a few - characteristics in your personality or your product that set you apart from the droves of unimaginative, uninspired hopeless wrecks. These ten (OK eleven) individuals are on the path of righteousness, so sit back and enjoy the right as we introduce 10 People Who Are About To Change The Game.
Maximillian Hellerstein and Cyrus Summerlin of Dead Heart NYC
We are constantly asking the next generation to do something with their imaginations and create something that will make people notice. Well, 16-year-old Maximillian Hellerstein and Cyrus Summerlin of Dead Heart NYC have done just that and they are well on their way to changing the game. With only a few items under their resumes, those items are about as impressive as they can get, especially the creative zipper T-shirts and leather heart pins that have already been noticed by Big Sean, Domo Genesis, Stalley and Soulja Boy. What will these youngins come up with next?
Virgil Abloh
Sure, everyone has heard of Virgil Abloh a.k.a. "Kanye West's Style Adviser," but he has much more on his resume. The PYREX T-shirt designer and leader of the BEEN TRILL party circuit is co-owner of one of the hottest shops right now, RSVP Gallery. Virgil is setting himself apart with many style-related projects, and when you've already gotten a blessing from Yeezy himself, you must be doing something right, right?
Ashley James of Ruell & Ray Denim
Denim certainly is a hard biz to get into, especially with such a fickle target audience switching from pair to pair with no regard. But when you're hand-making some of the best quality denim out, it's not hard to get noticed. That's what Ashley James of Ruell & Ray is doingin Bristol, Tennessee. She's individually creating denim from deadstock fabrics that require a super secret handshake to obtain. That's why shops like Need Supply and Two Inch Cuffs can't keep them on the shelves. You'd be silly not to keep your eyes out for what Ashley and R & R do next.
Kevin Burrows of Fuck Yeah Menswear
Sure, you are all familiar with Lawrence Schlossman, who was outed as one of the main contributors to popular satirical blog-turned-book-deal, Fuck Yeah Menswear, but did you know there was a second assassin shitting on all you menswear nerds? Kevin Burrows, also designer behind The Windmill Club, co-authored the Fuck Yeah Menswear book dropping in November and we have a feeling this book won't be the last we hear from the whimsically creative writer.
A$AP Bari
We already know A$AP Bari has impeccable style, but with a multitude of projects in the works, Bari is also incredibly busy. We already know the stylish eye and trendsetter of A$AP Mob has design chops (peep the RSVP x A$AP Capsule Collection he created), but with three clothing lines and a jewelry line also in the works, Bari is out to prove that the Mob is trying to take over in every facet of the game.
Martin Carvajal and Ben Ferencz of Fair Ends
With fitteds starting to fall stale upon menswear-enthusiasts, people have moved onto new avenues of cap freshness. One of those main avenues is the 5-panels from Martin Carvajal and Ben Ferencz of Fair Ends. Both having stellar backgrounds in design, Ben and Martin joined forces last year to create some made-in-the-U.S. dope caps that already have documented co-signs by Jake Davis, JJJJOUND, and Boylston Trading Co.
Shayne Oliver of Hood by Air
Even though Hood by Air has been around for a few years now, all it takes is a piece or two to have people swivel-necking back to the goods. And in this case, it was a T-shirt worn by A$AP Rocky and, subsequently, the entire free world. Hood by Air creator Shayne Oliver has never ceased to creating incredibly unique pieces, but we have a feeling he's going to take advantage of the re-emergence of his brand and blow everyone's socks off. Grab your popcorn.
Justin Chung
Fashion photographers are a dime a dozen, and like assholes, New York has plenty of them. But the work Justin Chung has put out over the past year has created some much-deserved buzz. Shooting everyone's favorite menswear pictures at Pitti Uomo and completely killing lookbooks for Mark McNairy and UNIS, Chung has certainly set the bar for up and coming fashion photogs who are out here trying to function.
Jalil Peraza
The infamous teenager in Kanye West's "Rosewood Movement" photos is Yeezy's intern and DONDA contributor, Jalil Peraza. He is the founder and designer of Appeal Clothing and its dope pocket tees, and also the brains behind the new Beauty In The Dark clothing line and its American Flag tee, which has already been co-signed and worn by Kanye, Jay-Z, and fellow game-changer, Virgil Abloh.
Christopher Bastin
If you haven't heard of Christopher Bastin or his recent promotion to creative director of Gant, then you're out of the loop. With humble beginnings designing GANT shirts back in 2005, Bastin quickly moved over to Rugger, rising the defunct line up from the ashes and taking the menswear world by storm. The higher-ups love the laid back Swede and his ingenious eye for style so much, they're having him take over everything GANT starting in August.
