P(o)mp It Up - Joe Budden

I'll admit, when I first heard the name Pompous Apparel, I didn't pay much attention to it. Then Wayne State University's Mad Anthony concert came around and one of the ways to get tickets to the after party, Keys to the City, was through Pompous' Web Site...and that's when I really looked at this line. My first impression of Pompous? Andy Warhol meets 80's Nintendo; very fun, classic, and a unique representation of urban streetwear. How can something so bad be so good?

Name: Blue Skye Bledsoe
Role: Head Designer/Owner and 1/2 of Pompous Apparel

-->Blue Skye and Sebastian Jackson, Pompous Apparel

Alex Washington (AW):How did Pompous apparel begin? Why the name Pompous?

Blue Skye (BS): Pompous Apparel officially began in January of 2008 although, I have been designing and sewing clothes since I was eleven. Pompous Apparel began with custom painted pieces but after receiving a higher demand, I realized that in order to be mass produced, I had to make the transition to screen printing. The name Pompous Apparel stems from the negative connotation that surrounds the word "pompous"; defined as overly-stated importnace or dignity when really, our goal is to help those who feel as if they stand out, do just that. I was always an ambitious person and more often than not, my confidence in my abilities and future were often misinterpreted for conceit or arrogance. That's when I decided to just put it all out on the table and to call it was it "was", or at least what it appeared to be; Pompous Apparel.

AW: What does the pink elephant, Snuff, represent?

BS: Our logo of the pink elephant, Snuffulufugus Wishuwas or Snuff for short, symbolizes the euphimism of the pink elephant in the room. We are the matter that is not acknowledged; not because we are not visible, on the contrary, it is because our level of ambition, character, and individulism is so compelling that we are intentionally overlooked. Snuff stands for the originality in people.


AW: What is the Pink Elephant Foundation?

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BS: The Pink Elephant Foundation is the heart of Pompous Apparel. It is a non-profit organization that encourages challenged and abused youth of the city of Detroit to become zealous students and prosperous adults. This foundation aims to address the issues of abuse and incompetence at an early stage to prevent any further strain on our youth. We aim to equip the children involved with the opportunities, courage, and motivation to reach their full potential and mature into healthy and successful individuals.

AW: How would you describe the Pompous Brand?

BS: Pompous Apparel is the brand; an umbrella. It has numerous components to it -Pompous, the line for men, and Pretty Pompous, the line for women; both labels are streetwear labels. We are also in the works of another line labeled AOI, with more of a haute couture direction. As the years progess as do the lines, we plan on expanding as far as our creative minds will take us.

AW: What's next for Pompous?'

BS: Pompous Apparel will continue to promote individuality, encourage confidence, and support going against the grain. We will continue to evolve our brand and grow as a company.

AW: Where do you see Pompous in 5 years?

BS: Pompous Apparel, in five years, will be the quiet storm. We embrace the idea of not being a "mainstream" clothing line, because that preserves our edge. We are still close enough to our consumer to know what they want and are successful enough to give it to them for a reasonable price tag and with exclusivity. In five years, no matter how high up we are on the fashion totem pole, we will be a brand for the individual, just as we've always been.


Want more?
Check out www.iampompous.com
iampompous.blogspot.com
Changeivadollar.blogspot.com