Jake CHILL - Choosing How I Live Life
What is it that you create?
I am a streetwear designer and I create pieces that are functional with graphics that communicate self empowerment to the wearer.
How did it all start?
When I was in high school I went on a trip to Vegas to visit my cousin. I shared with her my passion to make clothes and ironically she happened to have a home screen printer in her garage. I brought it back to my home in California and figured out how to operate and print in my bedroom. I began printing and selling t-shirts to students, teachers and faculty at my high school and that’s when I fell in love.
Who helped shape who you are now as an artist?
My mother because she taught me integrity and determination, also friends I met on the way and life experiences.
In your initial search for your medium, what were some things you explored before you found what you loved, or are you still searching?
I experimented a lot when I was younger with different ways to put graphics on tees, like transfer paper or vinyl heat press. Once I had screen printing down I learned how to sew. I am still exploring ways to create that are more efficient and less costly on the planet.
Define “Choosing How I Live Life” & what does CHILL as a brand stand for?
C-h-i-l-l stands for exactly what the text states, Choosing How I Live Life to the fullest so the people wearing the clothes feel they too are contributing consciously to their own life beliefs.
How do your parents feel about you chasing this dream?
My mother is happy I found my passion and purpose and encourages me
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What is it that you create?
I am a streetwear designer and I create pieces that are functional with graphics that communicate self empowerment to the wearer.
How did it all start?
When I was in high school I went on a trip to Vegas to visit my cousin. I shared with her my passion to make clothes and ironically she happened to have a home screen printer in her garage. I brought it back to my home in California and figured out how to operate and print in my bedroom. I began printing and selling t-shirts to students, teachers and faculty at my high school and that’s when I fell in love.
Who helped shape who you are now as an artist?
My mother because she taught me integrity and determination, also friends I met on the way and life experiences.
In your initial search for your medium, what were some things you explored before you found what you loved, or are you still searching?
I experimented a lot when I was younger with different ways to put graphics on tees, like transfer paper or vinyl heat press. Once I had screen printing down I learned how to sew. I am still exploring ways to create that are more efficient and less costly on the planet.
Define “Choosing How I Live Life” & what does CHILL as a brand stand for?
C-h-i-l-l stands for exactly what the text states, Choosing How I Live Life to the fullest so the people wearing the clothes feel they too are contributing consciously to their own life beliefs.
How do your parents feel about you chasing this dream?
My mother is happy I found my passion and purpose and encourages me
Why clothing as a medium?
I’ve always had a love for creating. In elementary school I would make sleeves
out of women’s stockings to imitate Jeff Hardy. I would wear and sell them to my friends. We went from students to professional wrestlers in one day. the fact that you can wear a piece of clothing and transform who you are and make a statement. It’s an empowering feeling for everyone.
What were the ideas and decisions for CHILL university?
For my most recent collection, I wanted to analogize a University to Life. Resem- bling a college team uniform, with these pieces I have created a comfortable uni- form for living. Life is a school of its own, and its important to treat each problem we face as a lesson and learn from them.
What excites you most about the future?
To see how everything falls into place.
I’ve always had a love for creating. In elementary school I would make sleeves
out of women’s stockings to imitate Jeff Hardy. I would wear and sell them to my friends. We went from students to professional wrestlers in one day. the fact that you can wear a piece of clothing and transform who you are and make a statement. It’s an empowering feeling for everyone.
What were the ideas and decisions for CHILL university?
For my most recent collection, I wanted to analogize a University to Life. Resem- bling a college team uniform, with these pieces I have created a comfortable uni- form for living. Life is a school of its own, and its important to treat each problem we face as a lesson and learn from them.
What excites you most about the future?
To see how everything falls into place.
More From Issue 02
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN ISSUE TWO
