Name: Shawn Bautista
Location: South Brunswick
Hobbies: Audio Engineer, Artist and Studio owner of TrendLock Studios.
Q: Can you walk me through your creative process?
A: I am more of a visual learner so I like to go outside and experience different activities to have a creative mind flow. I also get many inspiration from my fellow peers that are also doing the same thing that I am doing like being at the music studio with other creatives or even the workshop with my friends making clothes. If I surround myself with people on the journey, I can pick some pieces up from everyone in a creative way.
Q: What inspires you, and how do you incorporate those inspirations?
A: One of my inspirations is my mother. She showed me how to chase my dreams and take risks, and without her, I wouldn’t have even tried to do what I am doing. I get inspired by many different factors whether it’s a person or an object/idea. I look at what I could accomplish if I had the same mindset or what I could do with that object/idea to make it even better but make it mine. It all comes down to feelings and how it could make me feel whether it’s helping me find my own aesthetic by making me feel comfortable in what I’m wearing, singing or how I want to represent myself.
Q: In what environment do you work best?
A: With many creatives and the right energy around me, I could be anywhere as long as the vibes are right and I can connect in a way I never have before. That’s what makes me think of different ideas.
Q: Who or which brands or people do you aspire to collaborate with?
A: I have aspirations to collaborate with Lyrical Lemonade, Our Generation Music, Misere Moderne, Brent Faiyaz and Internet Money.
Q: Apart from fashion, what are some of your other passions?
A; In addition to fashion, I’m passionate about making music, playing video games and building my own brand.
Name: Nymir Belk
Location: New Brunswick
Hobbies: Musician, Fashion Stylist, Music Producer
Q: Can you walk me through your creative process?
A: During my creative process, I like to light candles and make sure it’s super late at night. I prefer working late at night because I feel like I’m the only person awake at that time, and it’s quiet. I find that environment conducive to my creativity.
Q: What inspires you and how do you incorporate those inspirations?
A: My early inspirations include Nigo and Pharrell, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve gravitated toward the fashion of the early ’80s and late ’90s. So, I try to maintain that aesthetic in my current work, creating vintage snapbacks, vintage t-shirts, and perfectly fitting jeans.
Q: In what environment do you work best?
A: I work best in my bedroom. My bedroom is my safe space, and everything I need for inspiration is right in front of me. I try to do as much as I can in my room.
Q: Who or which brands or people do you aspire to collaborate with?
A: I would like to collaborate with Telfar, and I also aspire to work with Supreme. Supreme was one of the first streetwear brands I admired while growing up, so collaborating with them would be a way to pay homage to my younger self.
Q: Apart from fashion, what are some of your other passions?
A: Aside from fashion, my other passion is music. Music was my first love before I fell in love with fashion. Right now, I’m working on dropping a lot of clothes and music simultaneously. I’m trying to incorporate all my dreams into one.