Through the vessel of fashion & style, Black Scale brings balance to the lie within the truth interpreted by way of graphic art, clothing and accessories inspired by religion, government, identity and death. Black Scale challenges the consumer to question the ideals of everyday society & to decipher the world objectively, disregarding the view of the status quo. The goal for Black Scale is to evoke emotions and to create topics of discussion through designs and to encourage the consumer to leave no stone unturned when searching for one’s own truth. This truth is represented and boldly stated at the hand of fashion. Ultimately the light resides in your hands.
2014 saw Black Scale jump into the light with some of the biggest name collaborations and arguably the best executions in the business. Thanks to the leadership of founder/creative director Michael “Mega” Yabut the brand’s Fall/Holiday collection was the brand’s most successful yet. Here he share’s Black Scale’s highs for 2014.
What were your brand’s top collaborative release in 2014?
Black Scale x Timberland and Black Scale x adidas Consortium
A year ago we started the design process for our first adidas collaboration and working with adidas was really cool because they gave us the freedom to design something we felt was right for both brands. It’s exciting to work with one of our favorite brands, and to actually say you will be releasing an adidas is pretty epic. We had the opportunity to work with one of our favorite directors, Taj Stansberry, on the visuals for both the video lookbook and the traditional lookbook. We also got to work with one of our favorite music producers, P-Lo of HBK Gang, for the musical production behind the video lookbook, and all three of us are from the Bay Area, so that made the project extra special. The collaboration included the ZX 7000, Forum Hi and a BMX-inspired long sleeve. Each piece of the collaboration featured a vibrant camouflage print. Black Scale added their unique take on two adidas Originals classic silhouettes and an original BMX long sleeve for a one-of-a-kind collaboration.
The Black Scale x Timberland Collaboration was released on Oct 11th at Black Scale stores and select Timberland stores nationwide. Select top tier boutique stores worldwide also released the collaboration after Oct 11th. This collaboration was executed with function and style to incorporate both work wear and lifestyle. It only made sense we designed the boot to be functional and take advantage of the true Timberland essence. Of course the boot had to look appealing for our stylish consumers but adding the function components added more life to the product. With different color ways hitting the market place with Timberland collaborations it was important we differentiated ourselves to make this very special product.
What was your brand’s top limited edition release in 2014?
Black Scale x Motown Records
BLVCK MOTOWN boasts chic, sleek, and sexy, yet comfortable jackets, t-shirts, hoodies, beanies, hats, and more as part of another exclusive set that embodies an intersection of cultures. The artists remained entrenched within the mindset of BLVCK MOTOWN, representing a shift in both the fashion and music industries. They’re not only entwining within the fabric of this fashion line but also pop culture from the ground up. Breaking ground here, Motown remains the first label to embrace this sort of initiative, launching its artists via an entirely new avenue.
About BLVCK MOTOWN’s evolution, Motown Records President Ethiopia Habtemariam comments, “BLVCK MOTOWN represents a crucial shift in the thought process of promoting not only new artists, but also the label behind them. We’re cultivating a new business model that’s actually based on the classic Motown Records philosophy of carefully developing talent from the very beginning. Given the first iteration’s success and the excitement surrounding the next chapter, it feels like we’re on the verge of something very special.”
What was your favorite collaboration with an artist in 2014?
Black Scale x Norm MSK/AWR (Norm is a Cali based graffiti and tattoo artist with over a decade of putting in work)
