Hey, it’s Oswald. I’ve recently come across a brand I think is here to say. The brand is based in my hometown of Queens, NY so I felt almost obligated to support them. I thought, “Why not interview Chris” so here is my little chat with Chris Alborano of Basis N.Y.
CLC: Who started Basis N.Y.?
CA: Really my influence and inspiration did and I Just took it from there
CLC: What influences did you take directly from NY and the NY lifestyle?
CA: Just generally anything. Influence can come from anywhere, you begin to find rhythm just walking in the street by just looking at things around you taking everything in. It’s all a matter of how it interprets onto hard ground.
New York has so much to offer. It’s hard to focus in on one thing so New York as a whole is just always inspiring.
It’s like being all over the world except in one city.
CLC: What exactly told you that you should have your own clothing line?
CA: Just inspiration I guess. Trying to make the most of my seconds and inspire others to do as well, not wasting time and inspiring others to "create" through the line itself.
CLC: What would you suggest (fashion wise) to a college student?
CA: Fashion’s what you make it, like you don’t need to be wearing brands just because they are what’s "dope" but wear what fits you, style comes before fashion in so many ways. Style is what makes you fashionable if that makes sense.
Don’t let the clothing wear you.
CLC: What steered you away from just t-shirts with designs?
CA: I guess this plays in with the business aspect, but just being aware of what's around in other brands. What exactly people are wearing? I mean keeping it new and raw but at the same time you have to know how the industry is functioning.
CLC: What do you see/want for your brand in the future?
CA: Obviously expand my process have more people recognize Basis and the intent behind it. Hopefully gain a stronger following in the near future, and as anyone else just take it as it comes no need to force anything.
CLC: Yea,i can see that in the near future. Nothing I’ve seen of your brand says "now" rather than always.
CLC: What is your inspiration for design? What would get you immediately inspired to do something?
CA: My inspiration varies, I could be walking down the street and I hear someone say something or I see something and I just try to interpret it. I’m constantly on art blogs or archives searching through endless amounts of materials just gaining all sorts of inspiration and then from there I try to tie it in with the whole aesthetic of Basis.
CLC: What other designers do you look to, or admire? Not necessarily clothing.
CA: I’ve always been a fan of Keith Haring. (He also went to SVA.) Legendary Paul Rand.
Brands: I’ve got to give immense amounts of props to Phil over at Award Tour kid’s doing things correctly.
CLC: It seems you like the Fun aspect of things
Yeah it’s all a learning process. Just keeping it fun,
if it wasn’t fun there’s no point to anything.
Scott Sasso at 10 deep also gave me a lot of inspiration to do what I do
CLC: Who's your target audience?
My audience would be anyone who shares the same mindset and anyone who doesn’t so than I can then inspire them to share the same mindset.
CLC: Skinny, normal, or baggy jeans?
CA: Skinny most likely
CLC: Wayfarers, normal or...no glasses?
CA: Depending on the mood “ahah” I put on my dork glasses quite often
in the summer if I’m feeling it maybe some wayfarers.
CLC: G-Shock or Rolex? (not necessarily exact brand but style)
CA: Anybody with money can buy a Rolex lol so I’m going to say g-shock.
CLC: Favorite music
CA: Really there’s no favorites in my play list. Charlie Parker to Biggie. I’ve been listening to J.Cole a lot recently, and even Wale’s been killin’.
CLC: Mac or Windows?
CA: I guess design wise MAC hands down
Gaming wise PC
CLC: Since i cut out some questions, do you have some things you'd like to say, or any questions you'd like to answer?
CA: I guess just to promote the meaning of Basis which is tojust "do", absorb what your given, the world is generally yours you have to just take your pick.
To check out Basis for yourself stop by Chris's Twitter( chris_forBASIS ),or blog ( http://basisnewyork.tumblr.com/ )
Basketball is the life!! Okay, so I'm new to this blog. My friend, Amanda, asked me if i wanted to join and I said sure why not. I just have way too much time on my hands lately, even with college monday through friday. College is too easy for me, jesus. Queensborough Community College?!?! I shouldn't even be there, but stupid Queens College rejected me after they sent me an acceptance letter. FUCK MY LIFE. Here at Queensborough, there's like so many smokers. I'm like literally dying from 2nd hand smoke!!! ughhh so gayy. There are better ways to die than from smoking guys!!! The school is over populated with a majority of blacks, whites, and asian fobs. I swear, college is like high school all over again. GREATTT! I still have yet to make a new friend in college, which sucks. I'm actually trying hard in college, unlike high school. Currently listening to Neyo-Mad while writing this first blog of mine. I have a question to ask you guys. How do you approach the inapproachable?! I basically have an eye on this girl in one of my class, but she sits on the other side of the room. She seems like a nice person and all, what all guys want in a girl and such. But yeah, I don't know how to approach her. Knowing me, I'm pretty shy at first, but active afterwards. Mind helping a guy out? haha Well I guess my first blog is done. I'll update every now and then, if I'm not lazy or something. But yeah. AMANDA TSUI! I hope you read this alright?!?!
When Life Gives You Lemons . . . . You Make Music ;)
So . . . in recent student talk, I've heard that "lemons" helps your brain circulate faster! Im not quite sure if this has been scientifically proven but try it out!
You supposebly have to smell or eat a lemon before studying, its supposed to help you memorize things more easily. I, myself have yet to try it, i just occasionally eat lemons for fun hahaha =P Studies also show that if you listen to Mozart, that will also help you in your studies & can boost up your IQ, due to Mozarts complex music notes.
In this installment of college couture I'll talk about time. We buy things for a season to season basis too much. In the past year I've bought a jacket, sweater, hoodie, and rugby for a not so cheap price. The reason I feel comfortable doing so is because I know I will have them for some time. I look forward to patching up holes on the delicate Merino wool sweater. The jacket already is a little faded, but still a lot loved. Objects like sweaters and coats aren't articles that we need to change every season keep that in mind.
Onto footwear. Ladies,you're excused from class UNLESS you have so many shoes that most aren't in you circulation. For us men we tend to spend hundreds on shoes every 3 months or so,and I have a tip for those that are ready to step out of the Nikes and Jordans (Yes i know they're the same company) and such. Learn the art of leather! Leather is like good denim,it has 2 heights in it's life.
One height of leather will be when you get the shoe. The leather is smooth and looks as pure as untouched snow,this is short lived.
The next prime is not as appreciated as it should be. After a year or so of wearing this everyday goin uphill to and from work and running marathons in this, it will start to stretch ,color, and simply get old. There's a certain charm to this,especially brown leather jackets. Now you can observe the stretch at the elbow,or the crinkles on the back from the awkward positions you sat in.
What I am trying to say is that fashion is one thing,but look into timeless articles of clothing, some should be with you for years and hard times. As college students i wouldn't want you to be going to class in that same hoodie and sweatpant outfit. Get something you can break in and mold to your body.
Hey, This is Oswald the late one. As I've said I'm starting spring semester,and applications opened august first. Thanks to me over thinking things,i already wrote out my applications and whatnot,but have not sent any. I am putting my foot down NOW. Thinking of music 24/7 keeps me distracted so i'm going to get back in the college mindset. Wish me luck guys.
Post Scriptum
If you read,please request new posts when we get lazy.
Hey guys, it's Bima. My friend sent me this video about what a college guy is thinking during class and I thought it was really funny, so I wanted to share it with all the readers out there (if we have any...? haha)
Anyways, I just wanted to apologize for being MIA. I'm going to make a vlog soon and condense all the things that's been happening. I'm still very pumped for college! I got into this community service-leadership program at NYU called Project OutReach, so I move in four days earlier than everyone else to do that. Beat out the HUGE Move-In Day chaos.
And in other news, I just finished shooting a music video for our very own Dots! He's a very talented rapper, if you guys want to hear his songs, comment this post and demand! :)
