Yes, you are currently reading a #FashionFridays post. How exciting is it to be back with all the OnStage readers! We have a great line-up of interviews, so let’s get right into our first feature!
I had the pleasure of meeting Hakeem one day in Adams Morgan. For our international readers, that is an awesome area here in Washington D.C. Hakeem is the owner of Penthouse Clothing and recently held his second pop-up shop event, hosted by Skynear Designs and sponsored by Kamasutra Vodka. Check out our interview below.
(Pictured: Myself and Hakeem)
Introduce yourself to our readers. How and why did you start Penthouse Clothing?
I'm Hakeem, and I’m from Dallas, Texas. I originally started Penthouse Clothing to be an actual clothing store. After funding issues I decided to sell the hundreds of pieces I was planning on outfitting the store with, thus came my Pop Up events.
(Pictured: Hakeem, Owner of Penthouse Clothing)
I know that you are currently attending the University of Maryland, What is your major and how do you correlate this to Penthouse Clothing ?
My major is Horticulture & Crop Production and well honestly, my academia isn't related to any of my entrepreneur moves. I really love plants and I'm really into fashion.
Considering Vintage Curating Has Become a Popular Career Choice, How Do Your Pieces Differ From Those That Are In The Area (DMV)?
I feel like me being from Texas has allowed me to see to the trends of both east coast and west coast fashion and intermix between the two while still keeping my southern style. Most of the Curators in the area are a lot older than me too, I'm a lot more hip to what the younger generation likes and you can't beat my prices lol
How Do You Stay Up To Date With Fashion?
I don't really do too much. I've never had a Tumblr and I don't really check out too many blogs. But I guess I just follow the right people on twitter and Instagram. I'm always at shows and events, so I'm able to see most of the new items before they even make it to the online blogs.
Do you see Vintage Curating as a permanent career for you ?
As far as curating permanently I always see myself collecting clothes but in the next few years I plan on opening an actual store in College Park, Maryland.
What type of clothing and what brands do you carry?
I collect alot of the popular brands from the 80's and 90's like; Sergio Tachini, White Sierra, Starter, Champion and of course the Vintage Nike, Adidas, Reebok pieces. I collect Vintage sports pieces ( jerseys jackets and crewnecks ). I also collect early releases from current popular brands like; Bape, SSUR, Black Scale, Stussy, etc.
You just recently had a pop-up shop hosted by Skynear Designs and sponsored by Kamasutra Vodka, how successful was it? When can our viewers look out for the next one?
(Pictured: Customer shopping for both Penthouse Clothing as well as Skynear Designs Merchandise)
It was a great event! Of course I always want as many people as I can to come by the shop, but I would say the event was very successful, I met a lot of great people and had a good time.
(Pictured: Customer Shopping for Penthouse Clothing)
(Pictured: Customer admiring the Galerie Monnin artwork )
(Pictured: Myself and the Co-Founder of I’MPOSSIBLE L.L.C., Danielle)
As far as next events, I have a few vendor booths coming up at some upcoming DC music fest. I’ll be at Broccoli City and Trillectro set up selling clothes. I'm expecting to have another Pop up in May, possibly around my birthday… Should be lit (aka awesome).
Readers, I definitely enjoyed myself at the Penthouse Clothing pop up shop event. I even walked away with a few awesome vintage pieces for my spring and summer wardrobe. For more information on how to reach Hakeem or shop Penthouse Clothing visit:
http://www.ubercomeups.bigcartel.com
http://www.twitter.com/Hakeemington
(All photographs courtesy of James Davis Wilson)
I hope you all enjoyed the return of #FashionFridays! And thank you Hakeem for a great interview! See you all next month.
xoxo - MissCNH