A Product Of My Environment: A.P.O.M.E.
Bridgeport, Connecticut | APOME
INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK
I believe fashion is not just something you wear but also something you do. Your outfit can help to determine the era you grew up in and the region you’re from. Lets just say it can speak volumes. Whether you rock freshly creased Dickies and Chuck Taylors or a Yankee fitted and a pair of fresh buttas, its all the same… fashion. APOME is the epitome of urban fashion with its finger on the plus of Hip Hop culture. Validated recently spoke with APOME CEO and designer Stevens Morales to discuss his brand, influences, what fashion means to him and more.
VALIDATED: Being from Bridgeport, Connecticut, what’s your earliest recollection of urban fashion?
APOME: The late 80's, early 90's with the four finger rings, big gold chains and 8 Ball jackets.
VALIDATED: Can you recall when your passion for fashion began to surface?
APOME: I'd say high school. My high was like you had to be on your shit.
VALIDATED: What led you to start your clothing line “A Product Of My Environment”?
APOME: l just felt I had ideas that I wanted to put out. But I never thought it would lead to me learning how to screen print and embroider. I thought I would just come up with the ideas and send them to the printer. Nowadays I create the artwork and all printing is done in house.
VALIDATED: Have you had any formal education in fashion design and/or marketing or are you self taught?
APOME: I haven’t had any formal education, just a lot of hands on learning and youtube tutorials.
VALIDATED: Which fashion designers influenced your style and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?
APOME: I’m definitely influenced by the Polo, Nautica, Hilfiger era. I would say the way they did themes like Polo does their golf edition and ski edition and Nautica is sailing style.
VALIDATED: Which celebrities have you spotted in your clothing?
APOME: Rip Prodigy, Method Man, Jadakiss, Styles P, Snyplife, Nature, Uncle Murda, Cam’ron, Smack White, Dj Doo Wop, Nino Man, Tony Moxberg, Da Inphmus Amudez, Gunplay, Torch, Fred The Godson, Chris Rivers, Ricky Bats, Pete Powerz, etc.
VALIDATED: How big of an influence does Hip Hop play in your creative process?
APOME: It plays a huge part. A lot of my graphic tees are in someway Hip Hop based.
VALIDATED: What does fashion and freedom of expression mean to you?
APOME: It obviously means a lot. Fashion is a way of expressing yourself without saying a single word. Some people aren’t very vocal but are able to speak by the way they wear their gear, drip or whatever you want to call it.
VALIDATED: What advice would you give to someone looking to start a clothing line?
APOME: Don't be discouraged or worried about who's not supporting you, just keep grinding and working at your craft.
VALIDATED: What’s your best selling piece and why do you think that particular piece has been successful?
APOME: I would say it’s my Hip Hop Junkie tee. It’s a vial full of cassettes like Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Hell On Earth, Wu Tang Clan, Ready To Die and Doggystyle. It represents an era in music that people love.
VALIDATED: What can we expect from “A Product Of My Environment” in 2023?
APOME: I want to get into more of the cutting and sewing part of fashion.
VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts and website?
APOME: apomeclothingco.com and all social media is @apomeclothingco.