How long have you been at Off The Hook?
About 7 years now, including my 1 year hiatus.
What does a typical day consist of for you?
As Operations Manager, I make sure that the Starship Enterprise runs smoothly and that Captain Kirk and Spock aren't on my case. Pretty much, get shit done, and fast. Then it's on to the next one. Beam me up Scotty!
What are your side projects, hobbies, passions? If I wanted to be Johnny Kim, what would I have to do?
Where do I start (laughs). I always have something in the works; not necessarily projets, but there's either a video to shoot or direct, or I'm working on my brand Petite-Patrie, or I'll make a run of a few dozen t-shirt designs under a fake brand just for jokes.
I just take things as they come. I've had the chance to learn many ways to be creative that I can easily pick and choose what projects I want to work on.
As far as hobbies go, I call whatever project I'm working on a hobby. Most of the time I do it for fun and, for me, that's what really matters.
Staying in shape is also an important hobby (laughs).
But I do play a lot of video games to help me disconnect from everything. GTA V is coming out on PS4, so my hobby is gonna be killing people and doing driveways in Los Santos in the first person, all winter (laughs).
But seriously, I think the experience I've gained since I started working in this industry has made me love the real and fashion business more. Understanding the back end politics and all the branding that goes on behind the scenes. Seeing new brands develop and trends that come and go, dealing with numbers or seeing what works and doesn't work for the shop. All of those things help me keep busy, but they also motivate me to be better. I do love my job and I can't complain about anything.
How did SHOT BY JFK start?
SHOT BY JFK started maybe a year or two after I had started working at Off The Hook.
A friend of mine got me back into filming and making videos back then. He taught me a lot on the technical side, but he also helped me discover the aesthetic aspect. He helped me experiment a lot with the camera. So thanks, JP!
But, when I started filming, it was the beginning of the DSLR video era. So it was easy for me to get a camera and just go shoot anything and learn as I went. I started by documenting everyday life, then made small portraits and now, I'm directing videos.
But I'm still in the process of learning everyday.
The name itself is a play on my initials and the JFK assassination. I just flipped it.
The most memorable moment was probably when I interviewed the RZA in Berlin. It was pure luck to be honest. I was there for Bread and Butter and I bumped into Pete from Highsnobiety. He needed someone to film the interview at the very last minute. On the day of the interview, he got stuck in traffic and wasn't able to make it on time. So pretty much, I had to improvise the whole thing. I was a bit nervous at first, I won't lie. Come, it's not everyday that you get stuck in a white room with the RZA for 30 minutes, asking him questions (laughs). Good times.
Building on that, how did you start contributing for The Hundreds?
Thanks to Angelo, Graeme and Gary from Take Five Trading. They built that bridge for me and I crossed it.
But, I've always been a fan of the Hundreds since the beginning. I respect the brand's philosophy and ideology. People should learn to be as open as The Hundreds. To me, they're more of a cultural brand than a streetwear brand. Since day one, they've maintained their image and made themselves (Bobby and Ben) accessible. They're regular dudes that happen to do cool things.
Even if you don't wear their clothes, you can't really hate on them. Before the industry became what it is today, The Hundreds was there; they played an important role in all of it.
But, I would've never thought that one day I would somehow be a part of their world. It's really a privilege that they give me a platform to speak about the things I like. Writing for them feels like writing for the Gazette. They want me to have a more journalistic approach. I do my research and build my questions accordingly.
It's really fun and I think they've been enjoying my write ups. Thanks Alina!
How long have you been writing?
Since kindergarten really. The first few years I had a hard time making my letters, but as the years went by I got better at writing out the alphabet (laughs).
I used to run a site called Derived Thread like 4-5 years ago. It was actually up for a good three years. I used to write alone at first; about brands, the things I like and hated, Montreal street culture, some interviews. It was basically the things I wasn't allowed to post on OTH (laughs).
Then, a year after, I added a crew of about 4-5 guys. It was mostly friends that I made around the shop and that had the same state of mind as me. That site helped me progress as a writer, because I was always looking to talk about the things no one talked about on the other blogs. I wanted to get a more insightful interview, than a broad approach.
Reading a lot also helps.
Any other projects on the horizon?
I'm actually trying to write my first short film. It's hard though, because I'm a perfectionist with every aspect. I have the idea down, but I haven't really started yet. It'll come though, and it'll be a great film.
ny advice for people who want to do creative in their careers?
Nike says it best: Just Do It.
Do it with passion and be humble about it. Don't let anything get to your head and never doubt yourself. Do it for you, only you and don't care about what others think. Don't half step. Don't become pretentious. Don't give yourself a title. And, most importantly, don't steal other people's designs and projects. Come up with your own ideas. Be creative. Ideas come and go.
