I will admit, I am a fan of innovation. I believe innovation is what solves some of the world’s hardest and most devastating problems. As we continue to solve hard problems that effect people’s health and life expectancies, people are also innovating in the arts, in this case it is the menswear fashion segment of the arts.
Ian Stikeleather believes that there are better ways for men to dress that could be more efficient, more versatile, and more creative. That sh*t sounds cool to me!
Ian Stikeleather created the brand in 2010 with the future of customization and individuality in mind. Stikeleather comes from a desire to bring design choices to the consumer and is for anyone whose life takes them from the office to the beach to their favorite hotspot seamlessly.
Stikeleather is not only a brand, but instead a lifestyle clothing line of the future. Defined by its patent pending magnetic closure technology and reversible accessories, each piece can be mixed and matched to create a truly customized look unlike any other. Stikeleather is for the trailblazer, the guy who wants to stand out from the crowd in style.
We recently sat down with Ian to discuss how he got started with Stikeleather.
Check out his interview below…
Please describe your position at your company.
I am the Founder and Creative Director, but to the State of California I am the President of Stikeleather. I don’t like to get bogged down in names and titles. I am the guy who does it when it needs to get done. I have been doing this for 3 years.
How long have you known you wanted to do what you are currently working on?
I studied apparel design in 2008. I was and still am drawn to the speed and intensity of the industry and the people therein. I haven’t even sold the spring 2014 collection and I am already fabric shopping for fall 2014, and that’s not just me but the entire industry. It operates with a swiftness that is seldom found.
Why are you passionate about what you do?
I am passionate because this is my Name. I put the name Stikeleather in every garment I make, and I cant let my name go out on something substandard.
How did you overcome your own doubts and the doubts of other people?
Doubt is a slow creature, Doubt creeps up on you, Doubt cant catch you if you keep moving. I am always thinking about whats next, and this is how I remain relatively doubt free. And also make sure you keep someone around who like to disagree with you. Because having to back up your opinions, ideas, or your “arguments” with an actual argument means two things. 1 everyone is invested enough in the project to argue about it and not cave to a bad idea. 2. A really bad idea, a “what was I, nuts?” idea will usually get shot down, which is the point.
What were some bumps you hit to get where you’re at now?
I have searched high and low to get all the pieces of the clothing puzzle (design, production, sales, marketing) to start fitting together, and it has taken a much longer time than anticipated. I have learned to overcome impatience, as it leads to a loss of focus, which can obscure your vision of where you wanted to be in the first place. Work hard and be proactive, but don’t get sidetracked when the inevitable lull times come.
What is one thing you did wrong in the past that you can share with people?
The list is too long to fit here, but I have allowed business relationships to blur into personal relationships. When you become personally close to someone you work with, what happens when their work cant keep up? What happens when you have an argument? Can you still work together? Loyalty is great, but at what cost? As a general rule keep your business professional, and your personal life personal, and if you find someone that can transcend both, then marry them or hire them.
What is a way you got your name out there?
Social Media. the big 5. facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, and tumblr. But the Bloggers are my favorite, they do the research and pry the good stuff out of the internet.
Is there anything that almost stopped you from doing this?
A career in real estate. I was going to follow in the family business of developing property into suburban neighborhoods. I owned and ran a small construction business (see position above) I overcame it thanks to the Great Recession, which sent me back to school to something I loved
Is there anyone in your profession that you admire and/or model yourself after?
Style, Managerial Skill,Cross Industrial Success (see A Single Man)
How do you continue to perfect your craft?
By constantly updating the idea of clothing, It has been historically provided 3 things. protection from the elements, self expression, or a socioeconomic status indicator. These things are all great but there are better ways to do all three of them. I think clothing should help humans interact with the world more efficiently and help their bodies function better. I think you will soon see electronics and health and medicinal devices small enough to be embedded in clothing. I mean I don’t foresee us all in Iron Man suits or anything, but a screen on your sleeve and an automatic insulin regulator in a glove will be coming, so to help be a part of clothing becoming more useful than it has in the past will hopefully be a legacy I can leave in this industry.
How do you envision the future of your product/services?
See earlier answer about perfecting my craft. I am playing with heated and cooled clothing right now but you’ll hear more about that I’m sure.
What’s some advice you can share for anyone who wants to pursue what you are doing?
Immerse yourself in it. You need to become a vacuum of anything associated with your industry or job. And if you really want to make it you need to move to where its happening. Music=Nashville or LA; Film=LA; Finance=New York; Fashion= NY or LA, Tech=San Fran. you need to live in and breathe the same air as the people who are daily doing what you want to do. Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours of doing what you do to become a master of it, and the truth is that its probably more hours. So its up to you whether those hours take 3 years or 10 years.
How much of your business is driven by online buyers/clients?
Not much, I wanted a brick and mortar experience before I really went whole hog on the web.
Where can people go to find out more about your awesome products/services?
Facebook:
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