A special interview project that unravels the backgrounds and future plans of brands and designers that have close ties with NUBIAN, such as those that have hosted POP-UPs with the brand.
The third installment is by the designer of "MEMBERS OF THE RAGE"
Also known as rapper Kid Cudi
Scott Ramon Mescudi appears.
- Tell us about this collection and why you chose this unique color combination.
It was my first collection, so I wanted to express myself freely and incorporate whatever I felt was good. By experimenting, I can find out what works best.
One of the things I wanted to establish was playing with color combinations and silhouettes, like a typical varsity jacket or cardigan, but adding accent details like red sleeves and turquoise body.
- I think the brand name "Members of the Rage" is a reference to you, Scott. How did you incorporate your image into the name?
This is a name that's been in my head for a while, and I was actually thinking of making a movie with this title. The movie is about a group of aliens coming together and taking action for freedom, and this embodies what I want to say. To me, becoming "The Rage" means "becoming free," and this is the message I want to convey to everyone. Member of the Rage can also be shortened to MOTR, so I knew it was a good name!
- When you decided to start a fashion brand, what was the first idea you had? Was it something you had always wanted to try, or did it just come to you?
I first started the brand in 2016, and it took a few years of making samples, but I always had this vision in my head. I was always thinking about the big picture and the approach I really wanted to take. I think it took shape by adding emotion to it.
- How did you two work together to create the logo you designed in collaboration with NIGO?
From the beginning, I had a clear idea: the logo I had in mind was something that would be an icon for the brand, something that could be used in many different places, and something that would have a strong presence that would make the brand recognizable just by looking at it.
And it can be done in black and white or color. Then I saw a picture of a UFO on some social media. There was some kind of warning sign for alien abductions in the desert or something in Dallas, and the moment I saw it, I sent the image to NIGO and said, This is it! After a few exchanges, we added lights on both sides and other details to complete it.
- How long have you known NIGO?
I've known NIGO for a long time, since my career began. I'm really happy to be able to work with him like this. His talent and his great support mean a lot to me, and I'm really moved. For example, I feel a lot of LOVE every time I come to Tokyo, including my friends who work with NIGO and are here today. That's what I get from NIGO.
- I heard that you worked at the BAPE store in NYC. Why did you choose the BAPE store? Was that your first job in fashion?
BAPE wasn't my first job, it was one of many I did in NYC. I moved to NYC in 2004, and the first BAPE store opened in NYC in 2005. I sent out resumes once or twice a year for three years. For me, this job was the ultimate. If I got this job, it wouldn't be a problem. That was the goal at the time.
- How old were you?
I was 23 years old. The funny thing is, I didn't have enough money at the time to even buy clothes to wear at the BAPE store. I had to wear BAPE clothes to work at the store, but I only had one piece of clothing that I got as a gift as a uniform, and I wore the same clothes for about two weeks. I bought BAPE clothes as soon as I got my first paycheck. I also borrowed clothes from friends who worked there. But it was a great job. I'm really sad that I had to quit after that (because I got a chance to pursue my dream), but I think it was inevitable because the reason I came to NY was to pursue my dream, not to settle in a fun atmosphere. I did my best in NY.
- Being a globally respected artist comes with a lot of pressure and stress, how do you keep your energy and creative mindset?
One thing I always think about is to keep chasing my dreams and making them a reality, knowing that a lot of people in the world can do the same thing as me. It's really special to be able to do that, and I don't regret it. Just like always chasing my dreams, trying to do it, having a best-selling book, and being here all these years later is a connection. Trying new chapters in life, being a designer, writing movies and TV shows, reaching for the sky and seeing how high I can go until the end.
- Is there an end?
Yes, realistic art is never finished.
You have always been a great inspiration to your fans through your expression of who you are. I have seen many comments from fans saying that Kid Cudi saved their lives. What do you think about that?
And how do you hope to continue to convey your message through your collection?
This makes me really happy, and knowing that people who listen to my music feel this way is why I've always made music my priority.
Even in my collection, I treasure the freedom of my heart, so I want to tell my fans that they can be free. I want them to love themselves. If I didn't love myself and had a sick heart, I don't think I would have been able to create such a vivid collection.
I believe that if I can do something well, it will be an inspiration to people, so I'm not going to do anything big, I'll just keep living my life.
I don't particularly talk about fashion, but I just want to live my life, achieve, and inspire, and I think that's what makes me happy and shine.
That's my message to the young kids.
- You have a wide range of talents as a musician, actor, and fashion designer, but what is your main focus right now?
I guess it's fashion. I've done music and acting to some extent. But I've just started my fashion brand and I need to take my time. I really want to keep it all equally separate, but the brand is really the main focus in my head right now. Fashion is a 24/7 world where you don't even have time to sleep. I like being creative, so I'm spending a lot of time on it.
Have you spoken to Virgil Abloh about MOTR? What did he say?
When I had the idea to start a fashion brand, the first person I told was Virgil. Virgil supported me 100%. That gave me the confidence to go forward. He told me what to pursue, what was important, what I needed to know to create a logo, and about my collaboration with NIGO. Having this support was a big deal for me, who knew nothing. "Hey man, I want to start a brand," I said to Virgil one day. I hadn't told anyone about the brand until now, and I kept it a secret that I wanted to start a brand since 2016. But Virgil's support and his response of "YES! It's a level that wouldn't be strange if you were doing it (as a designer)" gave me confidence. I remember I was a little nervous when I started the brand, but I often thought about Virgil. His words always gave me a push.
- If Virgil were still around, what would he say now that you've presented your first collection?
I wonder what he would say...I wonder what he thought of the collection.
Is he proud of me? I would be happy if he was proud of me.
- Did you think about Virgil while you were creating things?
I've never not thought about it. He's always on my mind when I'm making clothes. Not just when I'm making clothes, I think about him all the time.
He's really important to me. He's always there for me.
- Are you inspired by Virgil's way of directing?
Of course. How he managed two brands at the same time, how he built Off-White into a brand that had to be respected in three years, he raised the bar and established a status and level that no one could question. A lot of people don't take art seriously and leave it, but the damage is left in the art world and it can't be fixed. Virgil has had a really big impact. You can tell right away when someone has power like Virgil and great musicians who died too early. So Virgil is forever. He's in my heart and in my head forever.
-Now that you have embarked on a new chapter as a fashion designer, what are your goals? What kind of brand do you want MOTR to be in five years?
I want MOTR to be a top brand in 5 years. It's exciting to see the collections in stores and people love them. I'm looking forward to it.
-What inspires you in fashion and in life?
I'm always inspired by a lot of different things - pop culture, movies, TV shows, and of course music, cartoons, etc. I mix a little bit of each of those inspirations together to create something original that's my own.
-Are you nervous about having a launch event in Japan right now?
I'm not nervous. I'm more confident. I'm excited to see how it goes and see people wearing it. It feels great. If I'm walking outside and I see someone wearing it, I'll be so excited. If I see someone wearing my brand, I'll be like, "Hey! That's my brand!" (laughs)
- Is today your best day? Are you happy right now?
Yes, I'm happy. I'm in Tokyo now. It's hard to be sad in a great place like Tokyo. I really think I'm in a happy situation right now. There are a lot of good things happening around me, my family is healthy, and I'm able to spend time with my daughter and my mother. I feel very happy.
-Finally, please give a message to your Japanese fans.
