We were lucky to catch up with Cody Matthieu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cody, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

Most of what we do I would consider a collaboration. Recently, I retested my Myers Briggs personality test and it changed from an executive to a diplomat. Over the pandemic, I really had to reflect on my higher purpose a tons and found that it’s working with other people. That’s what makes the Cody Chris Collection so important! The more we give the more we would receive back. Everyone helps each other and each project has an end goal that aims to benefit everyone. Over time my colleagues have become very important people. I believe nurturing these relationships is our greatest asset. What I am doing is nothing new, it is the same strategy of Coco Chanel and Louis Vuitton did in the 1900’s. My story shows if I can do it you can too! Everything I learned in fashion school is playing out in real life and I am just amazed with the significance of it all. I have never told this story but Christmas night of 2020 there was a Christmas star. I literally saw Saturn touch Jupiter and I call that my Saturn Return. I purchased a star that same year in Orion and always look at the sky for the answers. The answer is easy and that is there is no answers. What makes what I am doing now works because I am doing everything in reverse of how it should be done. At first this was a major risk but it’s starting to pay off in a major way. I have a 20 year plan from 2010-2030 and the first 10 years was initiation/ learning and the next will be implementation/ follow through. Our long term plan is to build a sustainable fashion house with sustainable supply chain. I hope it will be a house hold name.

Cody, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Cody Christopher Matthieu and I am the founder of the Cody Chris Collection. We design quality fashions for everyday superstars! We specialize in fine brocade kimonos with a medium price of around $300. What sets us apart is that it takes a real stomp down 1% badass mf to rock and afford it. Also, that our collection is a 3rd of the price of Dolce Gabanna and offers x3 times more taste. Garments are a liminal fusion of high fashion avant garde, streetwear, martial arts uniforms, festival attire and beach wear. Our vision is a look to the future with a nod to the past. Brocade is the symbolism of this very idea. It’s a magic fabric that has much history and power. Our fashions are formal and informal and not made for a particular gender. The brand is a place you can go to rethink what you thought you knew and be apart of all at the same time. In presentation it appears to be for the end user but if we were to zoom out Cody is actually making timeless looks to auction to a museum. I have created the modern day blueprint on how to do it yourself and hope the story inspires others along the way.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My pivot was an attitude shift. I use to seek approval but now I just do what I want to do. I’m not here to impress anyone or put on a show. My attitude now is a growth mindset. I am limitless and unstoppable. I have little ego and will learn through experience. Once I fixed myself everything fell into place. I have full faith and proof. Once I changed my mindset my lifestyle changed. The way I view the world is no longer down the block of my street but down many roads. I understand maturity has been my greatest blessing. I can make clearly decisions based on experience and expertise. As your age grows so does your mindset and ambitions. I learned how an asset and an example to other people. You can only do so much for yourself and it more important than ever to reconnect. Not everything’s a business deal but it can be. We are suppose to evolve and do better. I think maturity has been my greatest blessing. I can make clearly decisions based on experience and expertise. As your age grows so does your mindset and ambitions. I learned how an asset and an example to other people. You can only do so much for yourself and it more important than ever to reconnect. Not everything’s a business deal but it can be. We are suppose to evolve and do better.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I remember I use to out every night to have network and over time that behavior lead me into seeking approval from other people. I thought I needed more advice than that and looking back that was all I needed to know. I understand now nobody is me and how much I love what I do. When I made the decision to start making my own garments for myself again, I ended up mastering my own signature look and supporters grew to love it even more. In doing so, I actually found myself and who I am. It’s deep but I now know the reason why I do what I do and who I do it for. I think the next level to the advice is be yourself. This fact has helped me more than anything especially with my own confidence. I learned a big part of this reading Bruce Lee’s book on Jeet Kun Doe. He drops many jewels there but talks a lot about self discovery and how to be like water. Martial arts was my biggest motivator. Taught me much self discipline and dedication to my craft today. I practiced from 1997 – 2010 and got my black belt in 2007. I mainly practiced shotokan karate and started teaching Tae Kwon Doe. During that part I joined a demonstration team called the Golden Dragons and began learning Wushu. From there I switched focuses and started learning new under Sifu Kenny Perez. Under Sifu Perez I learned animals and weapons. I placed golds in Berkeley and Las Vegas as well as must of put over 500-demonstration hours altogether. I think that’s why fashion shows so much is because I get to relive those moments in a way. I was featured in a book called “Wushu Skills” and got to even train with Cirque Du Soleil! Also looking back this time in my life inspired me to learn how to sew. I remember specially one outfit that was made for me in all black velvet and was a nan quan sleeveless style.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.codychris.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codychriscollection/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codymatthieu/

Image Credits
@deshaunn @pixbygg @anastasiamagazine @indiefashion