RESPECT. Interview: Designer Tommy Bogo Talks Branding "TOMBOGO Designs", Hip Hop Influence , NYFW & More.

Cultivating The New Looks Of Fashion With An Array Of Styles And Textures Blended Together As One. TOMBOGO Is Moving Forward As The New Age Brand Alongside New Age Designs. Today Respect Magazine Spoke With The Twenty-Five year old Designer & Founder Tommy Bogo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA8zTspPLc

Robbie: Hello how are you feeling today and What have you been up to today?

Tommy: I’m great, thanks. I’m currently working on upcoming Tombogo product releases, sample projects, and filling orders; the grind don’t stop!

Robbie: The prestigious NYFW may have passed But would you mind telling us about your recent NYFW experience and Overall what has been your favorite NYFW experience and why?

Tommy: I recently had my first NYFW Presentation. The show was treated as an interactive look book photoshoot, allowing attendees to take their best shots of the models. Having just moved to New York a few months prior, I didn’t realize how many people really show out for fashion week…that night I found out lol. I rented a gallery for the presentation, and the space packed up quick making for a hectic, but really exciting night. There was nothing but good energy in the gallery and I really appreciated how everyone that came through had a keen eye for details of the Presentation. There were people analyzing the show in ways even I hadn’t considered, so it was really interesting to hear everyone’s dialogue on the Presentation—much more fulfilling than Instagram comments haha. The best part of having the NYFW Presentation though were all the new faces I got to work with, from the models to photographers, videographers and press. I’m still lowkey new to New York, so it was sick to connect with a bunch of like-minded creatives from all over the city and work on this show together.

Latest Designs Scouter Glasses Available

Robbie: The Tombogo brand has been around for a few years and continues to grow but from the start who or what were some of the things that inspired you to initially start doing designs and customizing your own pieces.

Tommy: I’ve gone through a few phases of designing pieces that have to lead me to where I’m at now. Skateboard brands with cool logos like Spitfire, Element, etc. originally inspired me as a kid to start screen-printing graphic/logo t-shirts. As time went on though, printing t-shirts became more and more accessible, and I knew I had to step it up. In 2017 I was blessed with an opportunity to travel to Japan, Italy, and Mexico City all in one year.

Throughout my travels, I took note of various designers, products, and shops that inspired me to define Tombogo as a brand that I could hold in the same regards. That same year I started designing cut and sew pieces, which eventually lead to completely rebranding Tombogo, and updating the brand’s aesthetic and style to match the new level of product that I was making.

Tommy Bogo Alongside J. Belvin

Robbie: As a creative what is the process like for when you create and finish a new piece and want to premiere How do you go about the unveiling of a new item? Also, what would you say has been your favorite item and why?

Tommy: The goal in premiering a new product typically is to communicate the product’s unique features, functions and/or details. Functionality is a big theme in my designs, so illustrating the utility is important, and it also doubles as entertaining content to watch. My favorite product changes every drop haha…so Ima have to say the LED Scouter Glasses. The LED Scouters started as just a small summer project, but ended up damn near changing my life, and connecting me with J Balvin along with Bad Bunny who wore the glasses at the VMAs.

Robbie: At the beginning What were the steps you took to start Tombogo and what advice would you give to anyone young designers looking to launch their own brand? What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about branding and making a name for yourself?

Tommy: When I started Tombogo I was resourceful as possible. I built my own screen print press, printed my own shirts, etc. Its important to understand the process of creating your product, not to mention you’ll save money if you do it yourself! I tell everyone that’s asked me ‘how to start a brand’ to be as self-sufficient as possible and use what’s in your means to get started. The more you do, the more you’ll learn, the more you’ll grow.

Robbie: How much influence would you say Hip-Hop has on you and your brand as a whole and what are you listening to as of recently?

Tommy: Hip Hop, in general, has always gone hand in hand with fashion. All my pop-ups back in the day always featured performances by Bay Area rappers and DJs. I had artists like Guapdad 4000 and Larry June, performing at the Tombogo popups before they were as popular as they are today–we were all coming up together. The dynamic between music, specifically hip hop and fashion definitely laid out the foundation for Tombogo and helped me find my style and audience. If we’re talking hip hop I’ve been on this new IDK album ‘Is he Real’, and that Bosslife Big Spence ‘The Life Chose Me’. Fun fact, Spence made his DJ debut back in the day at one of the first Tombogo popups*

Robbie What can we look forward to seeing from you as we close out 2019 onto 2020?

Tommy: Man, I can’t even speak on it but stay tuned.