RESPECT.THE FRESH: Theophilus London & Del Toro Release #Very #Rare Rose Slippers

Photo By Ryan Lyons/RESPECT.

In 2009, Theophilus London captivated the scene with “Humdrum Town” and the accompanying project, This Charming Mixtape. Since that very moment he’s been breaking barriers within fashion and music— effortlessly mixing hip-hop, pop, and electro aesthetics. Fast-forwarding, 2012 been an eventful year for him, from modeling in Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel project to his worldwide Tour De Roses to collaborating with artists like Blood Orange on various music projects. Often pictured in tailored leather pants and distinctive headgear, he’s quickly become a fashion icon for this generation. Recently, London did a very rare collaboration with shoe designer Del Toro and had a release party in Soho at The Black Tag headquarters. The black slippers feature an embroidered rose crest alongside golden stars and a red LVRS heel tab. The Miami-based shoe company, only released a limited 50 pairs of the velvet slipper worldwide. We sat down with him for a quick chat, to discuss his many collaborations and his growing iconic status. It was very rare, indeed.

How did this transition come about for you? From music into fashion?

It’s been good. It’s something new for us. Ever since I’ve done my first work it’s been through brands. Mountain Dew Green Label Sound. I started a company, The LVRS, in 2008 to work with brands. In 2010, I started discovering that I know what’s next in fashion. The fashion world’s been showing me a lot of love. I never knew I’d be in Vogue Magazine, GQ or work with Karl Largerfeld or anything like that.

What’s your inspiration?

I just want to contribute to culture. A lot of my friends, we’ll come up with ideas in our head and make them possible and give them to the community. We gotta do that for New York. New York has always been known for being new and being the next. From the history of New York City. From Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and all these dudes. I feel like our generation is just doing our work. So the transition has been easy It doesn’t take much for me to put something on in the morning. It’s just that we know what we do and we’re doing it.

Photo By Ryan Lyons/RESPECT.

Do you have any expectations for this line, or is it just a creative venture?

I don’t want to do this with any pressure. Music is my first love and something that I’m working hard to still push. I have a lot of dreams to fulfill in music. I collaborate a lot in music and collaborating in fashion is kind of the same thing. Two creative people coming together.

What collaborations can we look forward to in the future?

The only thing I’ve done so far is handmade stuff for me to perform in. Some sequin tank tops came about because I’ve been performing so I wanted to come up with a piece like the Michael Jackson glove or the Kanye West Ksubi glasses. I just want to collaborate with brands. That’s how LVRS started, from just collaborating. So far we’ve done a hat collab, a shoe collab with Cole Haan and now this Del Toro collab, and now the Black Tag collab, so we just gonna keep it going.

What does the embroidered Rose symbolize?

LRVS made it in 2012. The rose just symbolizes a new growth. It’s a beautiful flower. Also, it’s really thorny. It has rough sides, which shows that we’re a rough raw brand. We’re from the street. I’m mixing low end with high-end all the time. The awareness of mixing fabrics and feeling comfortable and making people be wild. That’s why I’m having my release at Black Tag. When I first entered this store I hadn’t seen a graphic tee that was exciting anymore until I came into Black Tag. Like controversial, dark humor t-shirts. That’s what we’re about.

What’s your definition of Style?

The definition of Style is just expression, real expression. I hate to see kids wear “Punk” clothes if they’re not really into that hardcore punk shit. Be about what you are. That expresses through your style.