ATTENTION!

If you consider yourself a Southern Streetwear brand or enthusiast–I implore you to RETWEET and/or EMAIL and/or FACEBOOK (or whatever it is the kids are doing these days to get the word out on stuff they like) this information!

Kill the damn dog.

I know I’ve been hinting to this mystical event of event more mystical proportions for a while now. However, I feel that it’s time to start spilling the beans to whole world (more specifically the few of you that read this site).  So in the words of my 12th grade English teacher, it’s time to “Kill the damn dog”.

What is “The Big Mix”.

Simply put “The Big Mix” is the first ever celebration of Southern streetwear culture. It will be held at the end of Charleston Fashion Week on March 25th.

“The Big Mix” was created to help Southern streetwear brands connect with Southern streetwear consumers in an event made specifically for them. I think the “…specifically for them…” part is key and let me explain why.

Do you believe in Magic?

For every up-start brand that has benefited from exhibiting their products at tradeshows like Magic, there are literally thousands of brands that have felt the burn–both mentally and financially. It’s hard NOT to have a great time at such a global event but the cost associated with being there isn’t cheap.

For a 10′ by 10′ space in Magic this upcoming year it will cost at minimum $4000.

That’s just to exhibit. That doesn’t even take into consideration the cost of MAKING the products, getting the products there, doing a photoshoot, creating a lookbook and order forms, supplemental advertising material, hotel room, and a plane ticket. Not to mention other vital aspects like food, water, and drinking money (because you gotta party, it IS Vegas after all).

Also, keep in mind–YOU WILL BE JUST A NUMBER. Literally. There will be hundreds of exhibitors in attendance, all clamoring for the same audience and hoping for the same results. Not saying you can’t be successful at Magic but I am saying the likeliness is slim. That’s why a lot of the brands you admire (The Hundreds, Supreme, Stussy) don’t even deal with huge trade shows like that anymore. The value for them just isn’t there.

Does that make Magic “evil”?

No. They don’t guarantee you anything but the 10′ by 10′ space you reserve. And that’s fine with me. It’s a business and that is the cost associated with doing business with them. It’s up to YOU the vendor to decide it that is a place you need to be (hint: you probably could do without it).

The 7 Random things you need to know.

There are a couple things that will be different at The Big Mix than your normal, run-of-the-mill trade show. But there will be somethings that will be the same. I want to give you a run down of some points yall need to keep in mind before you come through.

  1. It was created with YOU in mind! – I’m from the South. I understand that outside of Texas there aren’t a bunch of events available for Southern streetwear brands to showcase their stuff. So, since I believe in the movement that Southern streetwear could be I decided to do something about it. This is that something.
  2. This is not a “tradeshow” in the traditional sense – It’s part tradeshow/part exhibition/ part party/part panel discussion. I’m more concerned with getting everyone in the same room and seeing what happens. If you get orders, great! If you sell some gear, sweet! If you meet your future baby mama, even better.
  3. It will not cost you $4000 to attend! – Unless you WANT to give me $4000 and if that is the case I’ll certainly take it. Although I could charge a hefty price tag I decided against it. My goal is to bring people together and I didn’t want price to be a deterrent from making that happen. We’re all on the come up so I felt that the exhibition fee should reflect that.
  4. I’m NOT promising you anything! – Understand something: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE HAS EVER ATTEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. No one before me has put on for Southern streetwear in this manner so there is no way I could, in good faith, tell you EXACTLY what you’re going to reap from attending this event. Hopefully you make some new friends. It’s my sincere desire that you’ll learn something that you hadn’t learned before and, at minimum, you’ll get to experience the energy of Charleston Fashion Week. I’m asking a TON of people to come but I can’t control who will actually show up. So I only want you to attending if you’re OK with this. Magic, Agenda, (capsule), none of them promise you anything so why would I be any different?
  5. I’m spending money too! – You’re not the only one coming up off of some cheese. As of yet I don’t have any sponsors so everything you’re seeing is a result of MY money (or money donated to me by the homies). We are in this together–BELIEVE ME.  So take solace in knowing that the guy that is running this event has just as much to gain or lose in the launch of this project as you do. Maybe even more. I need this to be at least somewhat successful so that I can do this again!
  6. You need the exposure. Trust me! – You’d be surprised by how many brands that I’ve spoken to that are a mere hour or so away from other brands or retailers and had NO clue that the other person existed. Does that mean you make wack stuff? No. Just means that no one knows who you are. This event will expose your brand to other people that have a passion for Southern streetwear just like you. Think of this a Southern streetwear version of American Idol. Without that there would be no Kelly Clarkson or Ruben Studdard and a world without Ruben Studdard is not a world I want to live in. Obviously, this won’t provide anywhere near that level of exposure but the concept is the same. Get your talents in front of some more eyeballs and let’s see what happens.
  7. We be complaining! – Yes, I said “We”. You wouldn’t believe how many “How can I get on Hypebeast?” or “I make hot stuff, how can I get more stocklist?” emails I get like I got the juice or something. If I knew, I’d tell you. But I’m not immune to catching the complaining bug. While getting on Hypebeast would be nice it’s not my biggest concern. Instead, my grumpiness stems from stuff like “I wonder how I can get down with Epiphany? I be bloggin’ my arse off! They need to be up on what I’m doing!” Like the homie John Gotty™ told me, just keep grinding and the watchers will find you. Well, this is an opportunity for all of us to get “watched”. This kinda ties into the previous point but none of the successful people I know waited to be discovered. They made it so. This is our chance to do the same thing. They don’t take us seriously because we haven’t done anything serious as of yet. “The Big Mix” looks to change that.

Hopefully this gives you some insight on the event and my expectations for it. As the time gets closer I’ll be dropping more information. I’m both nervous and excited about what this could be so pardon me if my passion comes off as arrogant. I just think we can do some big things in the  streetwear sector just like we did with music.

Then just think, people will be saying that “STREETWEAR IS DEAD” just like they did with hip-hop! And a glorious day that will be.

If you’re interested in participating hit me up and I’ll send you a VENDOR AGREEMENT form.

The deadline to return these forms is January 28, 2011.