We were lucky to catch up with Rahim Ewan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rahim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project outside of my custom piece for Dave Chapelle would have to be my recent apparel placement on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon which were showcased by Talib Kweli & J.Rawls on September 12th, 2024 when they performed their new single “Native Sons” off their debut album The Knowledge of Knowing. This was an amazing experience because not only did I get the opportunity to have my designs showcased on a national scale but I also got a chance to watch the entire show and performance live from the audience, I’ve yet to experience anything like it. I have to give full credit to both J.Rawls & Talib as we went back and forth about the idea while they were touring in Europe. Myself and J. Rawls were in constant communication via WhatsApp almost everyday, he’s always been an advocate for the Fortune Over Fame brand and he was sending me pictures while touring with De La Soul, Mos Def and some of his other peers in the music industry. He hinted at the name of the album and how it would be dope if I could create a piece that would highlight both the new single and the album. Basically creating a way to cross market and promote the clothing brand as well as the long awaited album from the duo. As time passed we sent ideas back and forth to one another until we agreed the design was well fitting to the message, I remember like it was yesterday, I sent over a mock up for him to review and he replied instantly “THAT’S IT!!!! I knew by his excitement which was equally matched by mine that we were on to something big. Ending our conversation on a natural high I had no idea what was next to come, I just knew that we had brainstormed on an idea and it eventually became reality, I was content with the process in itself. A few days went by and we reconnected as J.Rawls and Kweli were traveling back stateside, I recall receiving a message saying, “Yo We’re Booked to be on Jimmy Fallon on September 12th”. I replied, ohhhh that’s super dope, that’s a good look for you and Kweli, I know your guys are going to kill it, then it hit me…. Ohhh, I’ll actually be in NYC that week, I would love to check out the show. J. Rawls replied, “Yo what if we wore the designs you created on the show, you think you can make them for us within the next few days, I showed Kweli and he said he likes the Tribe Design”. I instantly replied, let me get to work. Now the interesting thing about this dynamic is I have a relationship with both artists separately, so it worked out even better that they were both familiar with my work because I’ve provided Talib with a letterman Jacket before and several different hats and t-shirts when we’ve bumped into each other in Miami or at other events across the country, so I had their support and that was all I needed. Fast forward, I get the pieces created, I fly to New York to visit family and handle some other business and I eventually meet the fellas the day of the show at the NBC Building on 49th ST, as I walked into the building I looked up at the awning and I see in bright red and blue lights, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, I instantly new things would be different. By the way, did you see my pieces were showcased in Rolling Stone Magazine, things are moving wayyyyyy too fast…..
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.
Of course, so I’m a man of multiple talents, I wear several hats but over the last three to fours I’ve taking an extreme interest in fashion. Now, I’ve always loved fashion but it wasn’t until recently that I started to curate fashion. The brand Fortune Over Fame was started in 2021 and let me be the first to admit it has not been an easy road, a lot of mistakes, a lot of funds misplaced and misused and a lot of learning lessons but I wouldn’t change it for the world, the knowledge I’ve acquired over the last few years has prepared me for the new doors that are opening as we speak. I love the direction that I’m headed with the brand because I’m a fan of substance, I truly believe music, fashion, and art are all vessels that can be used to communicate to the masses, the upsetting thing for me is that I don’t see a lot of brands or individuals utilizing their platform to uplift or elevate one another, it’s merely based on negative energy and financial gain. Since the Jimmy Fallon show I’ve received phone calls and emails from people I never thought I’d have the opportunity to work with or even speak too. Almost all my items have sold out, I’m currently in the process of creating a few custom pieces for some of the biggest artists and producers in the music industry. I love it but at the time I want to hide, I got into this line of work of course to make money but not say “look at me”. I’m still chasing the fortune, never the fame. My presence is something entirely different, and I’m not a hater nor do I want to bash any creators but it’s my duty to stand for something and try to enlighten others and I’m choosing to do that through apparel. I like positive affirmations and conversation pieces, it’s about time we make knowledge affordable, I’m trying to do that through fashion.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing for me is seeing somebody take pride in wearing something I created, it’s like writing a song and listening to somebody sing your lyrics. I think people overlook how much it means when somebody supports your thought or your vision. When you create something and someone is a fan enough of it that they’re willing to wear it on their body, that’s powerful.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
All of them, lol! I wish I knew about quality manufactures, I wish I knew where to go to get real designs, real garments, materials and etc. Some people have this information and they don’t share, they tend to gate keep, I understand it to a certain extent but it’s not really my formula. Research is key to a lot of things, and there are several different avenues that I wish I would’ve walked down alone before bringing others with me especially when I wasn’t ready. Preparation is key, if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail, but ready to keep pushing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fortuneoverfame.com
- Instagram: fortuneoverfameclothing
- Facebook: Fortune Over Fame
Image Credits
photo credit: Wood Grain Photography