N.I.S.E
Clothing
This week I had the pleasure of been invited to the new
store called Ascend which is located at 2350 Finch Ave West, and recently
occupied by NISE Clothing. The store had their big ribbon cut and opened its
doors on the 14th June 2012, unfortunately I was unable to attend
this momentous day. So when I was invited by business partners and Co- founders of NISE,
Michael (Mike) and Brandon who also go by the names of Klipz and Kidd Nise, to
attend a photo shoot going on in the store there was no way I was going to
decline.
As I stepped into the store the photo shoot was already in
motion and lights were flashing from the camera man (Blair Photography) as the
girls done their thing posing in NISE Clothing, and I must say they sure knew
what they were doing as their swag was on point like a sharp ended knife. The store
was vibrant and buzzing with everyone happily laughing and joking and all
representing the NISE Clothing brand in some form, and all the time I was there
more people were coming and going all showing NISE some love while cashing in
their new garments and you know I had to cop myself one to.
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At the NISE Photoshoot- everyone representing NISE 4EVA
(see video of all pictures at the end of the blog) |
The store was so busy and I got caught up chatting to people
and also capturing the moment in photos that I didn’t have time to do my
interview with the guys, subsequently we arranged to do it another day which we
did over a lovely garden BBQ with
myself, Mike and Brandon.
Throughout this interview I learnt a lot about the guys, the
brand and the NISE Company which I was told and stood corrected by Mike that
the two are very different. The name NISE which is an acronym for Network
Integrated by Street Entertainment was originally founded by four members in 2002,
simply as a way of recognising a group of high school friends. The name became
popular when the group started to make their own t-shirts with the name NISE in
airbrushed paint and also embroidered on to the t-shirt. In 2003 they decided
that it was so popular that they were going to use this to their advantage and
start their own clothing line and this is the same year they registered the
name as a business, and the day of my interview was the brands birthday “Happy
9th Birthday NISE!!!”.
NISE, the company itself is geared towards giving back to
its community by cultivating and stimulating the creative minds of youth through
all sorts of entertainment such as events, parties, showcasing talent shows and
other learning experience that help to develop the youth, you name it and they
do it which Mike states makes them a ‘Social Enterprise’. The brand is
describes by the founders as urban and diverse as it can appeal to a wide
market and can be worn by anyone, they also note that there is a high level of
emphases put on the quality and design
aspect of their clothing.
In 2004 Mike and Brandon started to work with a youth group
called SEYA (South Etobicoke Youth Assembly), they became directors of SEYA’s
talent showcase called Ruckus. They explained to me that before they joined the
youth group it was no more than an after school program, however they took it
to another level and made it more fun and cool which lead to a higher calibre
in the type of events they showcased and a higher volume of attendee numbers
from both inside and outside of its surrounding area.
In the same year as joining SEYA the guys extended NISE
Clothing line and started to make NISE jackets. I questioned the duo on who is
behind the creative designs Brandon told me it started out collectively with
the four member all having an input, but now it is solely the two of them that
have complete creative control of their brand down to the every last mark on
Photoshop and Illustrator.
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| Myself with Co-Founders of NISE, Brandon (Kidd Nise) & Mike (Nise Klipz). |
I wanted to know where Mike and Brandon saw their brand in
the next five years. Brandon said that they would really like to have their own
store with NISE above the door, as they currently occupy the store ‘Ascend’
with other brands as an outlet for them all to sell their products. He also
noted that they would like to become big enough to eventually have franchise
stores around the world in places such as LA, Miami, Tokyo and I had to throw
the U.K in there and they agreed they would like to see it in London. Mike made
me aware that their biggest goal is to become recognised internationally in
fashion capitals such as Paris and Milan. Likewise they would want their brand
in exclusive boutiques and fashion shows co-existing with other high end brands,
this way NISE Clothing couldn’t merely be seen as an ‘urban’ brand but yet as a
more exclusive one. Mike feels that Toronto is saturated with too many copycat
type of brands and that there is a lack of creativity as to why there isn’t
many people blowing up on the scene apart from the major R&B/Hip-Hop artist
Drake. Back when NISE first started to make varsity jackets Drake was actually
one of the first to reach out and support the brand by having a custom made
NISE jacket with his name on the front.
Brandon’s advice to the up and coming youth, those that want
to make it as entrepreneurs is to know exactly what it is you want to do, try
and get all the information and research you can about it, if you have the
opportunity to go to school do so and never give up. Mike advises to stay
dedicated to your craft because before your idea can come to fruition you need
to put time in to get recognised nothing happens overnight, never get
comfortable, limit you time hanging out idling and basically to become your own
parent having discipline to keep you focused.
When discussing the support they get from each other as
business partners, it was mentioned that arguments can be a healthy process as
you get to learn a lot about the characters of the people who you work closely with
as well as learning ways to resolve any issues or problems. Also a point was made that it is best to find
a business partner who doesn’t agree with everything that is said as this
leaves no room for criticism and leads to a lack of creativity and
efficiency.
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| Ladies modeling for the NISE photo shoot. |
Mike and Brandon wanted to touch upon a point that
they felt quite strongly about which was the lack of support they feel they
receive when coming up on the scene. Starting out from as young as 16 and 17
years old they were young black males with a high calibre of talent and
creativity which wasn’t really understood until now. Till this day they are
still producing the same talent and creativity only at a higher level while
trying to develop and stretch their limits. Mike highlights the fact that he is
ashamed to see that his own city, Toronto, has taken such a long time to
acknowledge the longevity of NISE, and who much work they have actually put
into bringing their brand and company name to where it is now. He also stresses
the fact that they have reached to this point without ever doing a big push on
the marketing and promotional side of things. Through their nature of being
charismatic people with a lot of energy they have always seemed to know people
up and coming such as rappers, singers
and dancers within the city so their brand name spread through word of mouth. However,
they feel that because of their charismatic nature and energy they have been
used by some organisations and people affiliating themself with the guys by
bringing them around elements of whatever they are trying to do to create a
buzz. This is done because they have that missing element of energy that they
know NISE can bring forth, something that these organisations and people
possibly couldn’t achieve.
Mike and Brandon both feel that if they had received the
recognition they deserved in the beginning they would have had more support
earlier on in the business. Nonetheless this has only contributed to their success
as it has encouraged them to stay driven, motivated and focused and this is
what they try to project into everything they do within their business whether
it is a photo shoot, a fashion show, a basketball tournament or a youth
workshop.
NISE has broken through many barriers and everything it has
taken to get to where it is today I am assured that Mike and Brandon have
patiently taken their time to research, learn and knowledge themselves to make
it possible. Even down to doing their own accounting and printing their
t-shirts, these guys do everything.
Looking back on many events of their business life one that
was revealed was the time they partnered with the City of Toronto on an event known
as “Identify N Impact Awards” (INI). Here they were brought on board to help
nominate youths from around the city who were worthy of an award and
recognition for whatever it is they had achieved. The guys came up with an
award called “The Business Award” which was given to the winners and this award
was created by them because they acknowledged the fact that they didn’t get recognised
as youths, so they wanted to give the up and coming youths an opportunity to be
recognised and credited for their achievements hoping this would provide them
with a tool to further encourage positivity and confidence to continue. They
said that there were times when they felt like giving up and failing because of
this same reason of not been recognised for doing positive things within their
community, but they are more than glad that they did not give up as there have
been a lot of people who they have inspired through what they have done over
the years.
I feel that the interview went well and the guys were very
open and expressive with me. Mike and Brandon are doing big things in the
Toronto community and I know from the way they talk about their brand and
company how much passion they have for what they do. I have no doubt that they
will reach their goals and that people will definitely be seeing NISE Clothing
internationally in the prospective future, so remember where you read about it
first.
I want to say a big thank-you to Klipz and Kidd Nise for
having me and taking the time to do this interview.
Click here to see all the pictures and fun with NISE Clothing.
***NISE will also be hosting a BBQ this Sunday 1st July @ Woodbine Beach, Toronto***
NOT TO BE MISSED
here is a video link of 2010, this years will be even better!!!
The store Ascend is located at 2350 Finch Avenue West, Unit
B (Intersection of Finch Avenue West and Weston Road).
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Thanks x
