CEO/Owner Eddie F. Robinson of New Blak and a resident of Newburgh, NY is up and coming in the T-shirt and accessory fashion world!
Ever since he can remember, fashion has been his calling. Believe it or not but this trendy, hipster, urban, chic, and edgy designer attended an IT college then soon after he joined the military, the Navy to be exact! After receiving an Honorable Medical Discharge EFR then realized he wanted to pursue his most heart- felt dream and that was and is fashion. EFR tells all about his steps, processes, successes, and happiness he’s achieved with his line “New Blak”. Below is our interview!
Find EFR’s designs at http://www.newblak.com.
New Blak CEO/Owner tells all::
"The Official"
“New Blak”, I always find thinking of a unique name to be difficult… how did you discover “New Blak”?
The name came from a friend/ex co-worker’s idea. We were sitting in my then current job reading magazines (due to the lack of customers) – we were discussing how the celebrity world was becoming the “New Black” in Hollywood. He turned to me and said you should totally create a t-shirt line called the “New Black”. While researching and finalizing the name, “New Black” was taken so instead I dropped the “c” which turned out much better. It was more edgy, like BAM! Plus it looked awesome.
Describe the relationship you have with your chic t-shirts and killer bow ties.
Well originally starting out with tees was the main idea because I knew I had to have a voice in the fashion world. It was finding where to start to make a little noise. As I met more influential people in the industry, I realized there was more I could do to appeal to the masses.
Do you have any other accessories apart of New Blak?
Currently, I’m focused on my new and latest bow ties that I have been working on. They are unisex but I am creating a market for the “New Man” who is comfortable with his sexuality and still likes to rock fashion for what it is… and this is art.
Who/what are your inspirations? Any fave designers?
Classic
My inspiration comes from everything and anything. I find beauty and fashion in a lot more than most people and can usually design around different concepts. Some of my favorite designers are Alexander McQueen, he definitely pushed the envelope of Fashion and Edge. I also admire and value Marc Eccko and Russell Simmons for their entrepreneurial drive on fashion.
What kind of fabric are you using? What’s your opinion on organic clothing?
As far as the tees go I use only 100% organic cotton. That means no chemicals are involved and pesticides and other harmful processes in creating the t-shirt itself. My screen printer is also eco-friendly so when you wash the tees their paints do not harm the environment with harsh chemicals. I feel that organic clothing is the wave of the future, especially if we want to come up with ways on helping the environment.
There’s a difference between an artist and designer, which one are you? And why?
I am an artist. I say this because I create everything in my head first. I create the work and I don’t have anyone on the side putting it together. My sketches and my company isn’t just a company that has my name or brand on it while other people are doing the behind-the-scenes work. I’m a hands- on artist that designs my work.
How did you conceptualize “New Blak”? Where was the stem?
Environmentally and eco-friendly genius. I would like to consider myself as the roots and the stem for what’s being brought to the industry and to the world. The concept of New Blak is “it’s not about the obvious beauty. If you have it in you, you have it in you. Simply.”
Where can “we” obsessed “fashionista’s” find your line?
You can find and purchase the many tees and accessories at www.newblak.com. I’ve got jewelry and everything! Check it out!
- Featured Photographers: Cortney Scalzo and John Delgado
