We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Conrad Paul. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Conrad below.
Alright, Conrad thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
For sure guys no problem, thank you! Shit, from concept to the actual product, it was really me quitting my 9-5 job and forcing myself into starting this brand up and making it happen. There was a point I reached in my life where I was like, how much longer and I going to slave at a job, just to cater to someone else’s goals & dreams?! I battled with that thought for awhile until one day, I just, never went back to work lol. Its not easy, trust, i know, but if you’re super passionate about something and believe in your product like I do, I don’t think you’d find it hard to wanna quit and launch something of your own too! It was, and still sometimes is a struggle, but it’s the satisfaction of knowing that all of this, the ideas and sketches to final product, are all mine.
In the beginning stages of me launching, I focused on the main concept of the brand, future collections, production & distribution, and my target audience. I studied sewing, textiles, sketching, draping, and painting. I took online classes for e commerce, Masterclasses, and endless hours of youtube tutorials on fashion history, to how to thread a Singer Simple. I studied designers from the past to present, & best in the game to GOAT. Once finding an online MTO manufacturer, I created a Hvve No Fevr website and business socials. Everything I’ve done to this day with designing and conducting my brand is 100% self taught. After about 6-8 months of random concepts and collections, I was able to narrow down the main font, color, & graphics to a more relatable, recognizable brand. Once I had the foundation built, I started pumping out sample pieces, then went out and started networking.
At first, the pieces I was creating were strictly denim. Jeans & jackets only. At the time, it was the only material I was comfortable working with. But as time went on and my brand kept evolving, i got better crafting and manipulating leather which quickly became the staple material of the brand with a twist of streetwear/punk rock elements.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I guess a lot has changed since the last time we did this, huh? lol A little under 2 years ago, I decided I was going to start over in life and redirect my focus on something I truly wanted to pursue. Design & fashion. Clothes have always been something I wanted to create, but just never did for whatever reason. I just, didn’t have an idea or vision like I do now I guess. But once I found this brand, it went from a hobby, to a passion. Products I make are from tee’s, sweaters, hoodies, & joggers down to leather/denim jackets, leather pants, leather vests, hats, handbags, etc. It’s a lifestyle brand that glamorizes all angles of rebellion & anarchy, truly separating itself from other competitors. Focus points are on the early stages of feminism, drug use, sex, death, unsettling topics and raunchy vulgarity. It’s practically like the podcast you like to listen to, that you don’t want anyone else to know you listen to. It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s beautiful.
A major part in having this brand and understanding style and direction to take has been working in the fashion industry hands on as a styling assistant. I started style assisting with a good friend of mine as an on call. Sometimes the jobs would be weeks apart, but any opportunity that came at the time I would take, eventually gaining me enough experience to freelance on my own with other stylists. This led me to building a solid network of stylists and brands all over the world! As of the past 6 months, I’ve been working consistently assisting Raz Martinez styling editorials, red carpets, private events, and public appearances. Its amazing to work with someone who has so much experience & credentials in the industry. An NYC hustle in a city like LA really stands out and motivates me to keep making moves ALWAYS! Max Keeble lol
There’s a lot that I’m proud of here, especially with how much has happened in such a short amount of time. Since the beginning of my brand, to the present stages of where it is now, I’ve had a capsule collection featured at NSA (No Such Agency) showroom in LA, custom pieces created for Lady Gaga, MGK, Willow Smith, Jesse Jo Stark, & Sophie Thatcher, a feature in Vogue Hong Kong, and many, many editorials/red carpet styling credits such as Kid Cudi, Olivia Rodrigo, Lay Zhang, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Ariana Greenblatt. A lot’s gone down in a short matter of time, & to be honest I’m learning every single day as I go with it. Some days I have no idea what the f*ck I’m doing, but I guess I’m doing alright hahahaha. The commitment to the brand itself though, that’s what I’m most proud of out of all of this. I saw my brand in the f*cking sky at a reservation look out point in Palm Springs and almost 2 years later, I’m attacking projects just as hard as I did when I first started, if not harder! Its truly changed my life, & for the first time, gave me meaning. There are other things that I’m passionate about in life, but when I create pieces or a collection, I feel like this is what I was meant to do in life. There’s no better feeling.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Huh, I never really thought about the depths of what’s fueling my fire throughout this whole journey of a process. I think the drive comes from natural rebellion. People telling me to do something, but me telling them to fuck off because really, who the fuck are you to tell me what to do? Besides mom lol. Kinda just been a lil punk since adolescence and I’ve carried that with me my whole life. Its fun to not give a fuck sometimes, and that’s what I want people to feel. Everyone has a lil rebel in them, and I wanna be the extraction. One of my biggest goals with the brand itself though is to have my own fashion house, selling high end designer product mostly pertaining to women. Another right behind that is hosting my brands own runway show. I already have ideas on paper, and would love to execute at some point within my career.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Some of the most effective strategies in growing clientele for the brand is putting my work in front of the right people, in the right places. Whether it’s wearing my own pieces, my friends wearing my pieces that I make for them, or even bringing a collection to a styling set, I do my best to make them as presentable as possible!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hvvenofevr.com/
- Instagram: @_jusconrad
- Twitter: @jusconrad1
Image Credits
Royal Gilbert Jp McCool Joshua James