Invisible:Man

[ german version of this article you'll find exclusive in the printed issue 3 / 05 of stw2d! ]

Nomen est Omen. Invisible:Man is true to his name in regards to Europe, whereas the punk influenced worldwide streetwear industry really is known for its visual distractions. Collaborations with Stüssy and Neighborhood, as well as the current és and an upcoming 24inch BMX with and for Shadow Conspiracy cause i:m to appear on the local radar. Apart from that, i:m materialized himself with his own store in Japan, as well as a few very select retailers worldwide. The person behind i:m is called Andrew, previously worked with Stash and Futura, he’s currently living in California, which, luckily hasn't influenced his New York character.

Stw2d: What is the concept behind i:m? How come you have built such a strong fan base in Nippon?

IM: I started invisible:man because I was really tired of seeing the same old bullshit done the same old ways. And clothing is such a powerful vehicle, I wanted to grasp that and sorta use it as my voice, telling my story, getting things out of me that bother me or effect me in some way. It’s my podium. Everything I do is meaningful to me in some sick and twisted way. Clothing/fashion shouldn’t be WHO the person is that designs it, it should be about whether or not the product is dope – plain and simple. I think I have a fan base in Japan, because I stick to my guns, and don’t change my story. I just came out the box like ‘Ok, this is me, this is what I do, you’re either down, or go fuck yourself’. It might sound like an unintelligent marketing plan, but that’s the deal. I think consumers in Japan and worldwide can see the fakeness of things these days. And I’ve always been brutally honest with what I’m doing, and I believe that’s the reason fans of the brand stick with it… a sense of belonging – and knowing that I’m not going to make your favorite stuff, then flip it into some whole other genre. I’ll let everyone else do that.

Please tell us some details about yourself. Were are you living, what’s your background and your influences? By the way, Andrew, what’s your last name?

I grew up skateboarding and smashing up BMX bikes in New York. I lived upstate, moved to Manhattan, for obvious reasons. I’ve always been into drawing and painting, but never had the opportunity to pursue it. I was always too busy just trying to stay alive. All my life I would dream about beautiful sunny California, drooling over old Thrasher mags since I was a kid. Now I’ve moved to California. I’ve been here for 2 years or so, and hate every second of it. Every aspect of it – except for the fact that I have a 2 1/2 year old son. It’s so good for him here – fresh air, beaches, skate parks.
Everything you can imagine a little boy would need for the spitshine sorta life. So, I’ll stay here. I don’t want his life like mine was. The constant struggle, all the bullshit I dealt with. So I’m putting things together here so he can enjoy those things. A lot of magazines and websites say my last name is Matt, Andrew Matt, which is funny…incorrect, too. My homie Matt and me always roll together. So you’ll hear ‘Oh, I saw Andrew and Matt here and there’. And in Japan, where it started, they say ‘Oh, Andrew Matt at party, so so crazy. That’s where that came from. I’d rather not say my last name. I don’t need bill collectors finding me.

Your main influences seems to be music, skateboarding and Punk/Metal in general. All of which can be seen in your art and in your designs. How did it influence your life?

Skateboarding saved my life, and I’m not the first person to say that, either. Where I grew up, I had a choice, either be a jock type guy always needing a ‘team’ or be a complete drug addict. Or skate and remain an individual of sorts, able to freely express myself, my thoughts and my art. It was a freedom. I will never ever regret the path I chose, and am so glad I made that choice. It kept me alive, out of jail for the most part, and physically active. Also I believe that the top artists, designers, musicians and creative types basically have skateboarding to thank for their success - either thru their skating or the influence skateboarding has made on them and their craft. I love music and am fueled by it – the bands that influenced me were always the louder, faster, shorter type of shit: pre-Rollins Black Flag, Slayer, even Minor Threat’s first record – I wasn’t straight edge to say the least, but the message Ian was getting across in such a powerful way will always remain in me – it was fucking amazing. I think the power of one’s vision and belief is hardcore. Every band I found thru skating, and skateboarding itself influenced me, and still does to this day. I think my main influence with invisible:man is reality.

Basically, your double-name collaboration with és footwear is their first coop with an artist. They have an incredible team. A great honor? Or should they be lucky you teamed up with és?

I am def lucky. They make the best skateshoes, and always have. Their team is sick.
Eric at és is a stand up guy. és has big stuff coming aside from their skate team and pro shoes… I am completely honored.
In the last few years we have seen some collaborations with Madfoot, Neighborhood, Stüssy and toys, as well. What else could we expect from you in the near future? Lots more collaborations with brands I like, which is very few. And more blood and sweat into i:m. I also started a new brand called Bastard Squad, which is basically for me and my derelict friends. And I am involved in a new shop opening in San Diego… more on that later. The BMX will be nuts, I’d show you something but it’s not close to completion. I am doing it with Ron from UGP, he started a new company called Shadow Conspiracy, and we have similar views and tastes on certain things, and both love BMX, so we decided to do a bike together – a 24” BMX. Favorite piece of any interview – Any last words? I hate interviews, I always sound really full of myself and long winded. But it’s rather hard to explain myself without sounding like: ‘Who the fuck does this guy think he is?’… I’m Andrew, I make shit I like, if you don’t like my opinions or what I make, do something better and fuck off, I don’t need any backup dancers.

www.newevil.com to get the right impression.
www.esfootwear.com/news/2005/3/s-unveils-invisible-man-limited-edition-shoe/
to get the full name.

Text & Interview: Andreas Hesse