We recently connected with Khalil Green and have shared our conversation below.

Khalil, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Axis came into fruition when I felt that skatewear had few brands that manufactured quality clothing.

To me, Supreme embodies the definition of quality clothing for skaters. They’ve always been a step ahead of any other brand to me. Besides the box logo, they’ve implemented Loro Piana wool in the most mundane but yet intricate way. What damn skate brand has made an Italian wool coat? Haha. Although it’s never been the same since the FW 2016 collection, my love for the brand thrives heavily til this day. Supreme has held a distinctive way of approaching collaborations. To painters all the way to visual artists they’ve worked with, I’ve been gravitated to educate myself on their work, just off a collaboration or campaign. From genius implications of quality fabrics to their sheer cut of clothing and choice of fabric absolutely influences Axis thick and through.

The identity of Axis absolutely stems from the start and golden days of Supreme once again. Axis is just me wanting to instill a sense of integrity to quality regarding skate-wear. Especially as a brand hailing from Los Angeles? Id absolutely rather the brand to be known for its quality of hoodies and decks rather than a logo or some bullshit controversy.

Throughout the journey for this I’ve been both unmotivated and extremely determined. It’s f*ck*ng weird. Sometimes I believe in myself sometimes I don’t. But to gift Los Angeles, then the world with the brand keeps me up for the whole 24 hrs some days. Designing is my life. I love it. From making a damn dress for a woman to shoes for a child, I’d have a blast doing so.

Now to clear any misconception I’m not an actual clothing designer. I don’t sew at all. I don’t know how. I’m just a graphic designer. I’d consider myself more an anthropologist rather than an actual clothing designer. Actual designers are wizards of the world and I tip my hat off to those talented folk..

Khalil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into shoes and clothes at young age from an obsession with hoodies. It was this one Diamond Supply hoodie that made me feel cool as ever, and it gave me confidence. So young me thought…why don’t I just keep getting more hoodies? And then it was up from there.

My obsession of sweatshirts transitioned into a yearning for any Air Max or Air Jordan that released at the time. I would sit up and study SKU codes and nicknames on Flight Club and Niketalk for so many Nike and Jordan models. It would excite me to learn intricate and simple details about a shoe. Reading or watching a review of a sneaker before the hype craze was something blissful and educational. Air Max 1, 97, 90 to 1-14’s Jordan’s were all my taste. I love every single silhouette and much more.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I learned that I couldn’t be so personal when it came to designing. Not every design I may make or check off will be very great to me…but it may be great to someone else.

I feel that balance is what makes a brand great. Having a piece of something for everyone. I want Axis to embody those values. Having something for everyone within the demographic. Whatever this 17 year old might not f*ck with, the 26 year old just might.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Special people who believed in me is what made my first soft launch of a tee possible. If they ever read this, those people know who they are and for that I will always appreciate you. Even if we may not be on speaking terms now or then, I’ll always have great reverence for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: axissouthcentral.com
• Instagram: axissouthcentral
• Twitter: @kh4lil2000 / @axissouthcentrl