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No More What If's! with Olu Adeleke
169 Plays18 days ago
This week I am joined by Olu Adeleke, we sat down to talk about his brand Prgrssn. How he decided to create his brand, how sneakers was the through-line and inspiration for the brand. Growing up in Chicago, how community has been a huge part of his growth. The moment he figured out he didn't want to be a doctor anymore. What moving to New York meant to him and much much more!
Follow Olu: IG: https://www.instagram.com/olu.originals/
Follow Prgrssn: IG: https://www.instagram.com/prgrssn/
Shop: https://www.prgrssn.com/
Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks
Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks
Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/
Backing Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/
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Transcript
Influence of Sneaker Culture
00:00:00
Speaker
And like I think the post is still up. I literally said, I don't ever want to be a what if type of person. yeah um And it's always been my dream to have one, but yes, it was a hundred percent sneaker culture is what influences me. It's a hundred percent like street wear. But when I came back, I was on Tumblr. Tumblr played a huge role in my creativity as well. No facts. And so I'm scrolling through Tumblr and there was this guy, think his name's like, I'm not gonna say his name, but he made this shirt that was like, I drink white tears for like breakfast. yeah yeah um And then it was like a mug as well. And I just thought it was corny.
00:00:33
Speaker
Like I and I didn't realize why I thought it was corny until years later. So one of the most important aspects of my brand that people need to understand is we don't center our oppressors. yeah And in that moment, it's like you're trying to flex on your oppressor by centering them. Right. Like, why are you waking up drinking out of a mug that says I drink white tears for breakfast?
00:00:59
Speaker
What's good, everyone?
Introduction to 'My First Kicks' Podcast
00:01:00
Speaker
Welcome back to My First Kicks. This episode 254. two fifty four And if you are just like been listening for a while, yes, right. That's right. I got a new intro song. Shout out to my man s Sango for hooking it up. Wow. Hooking it up. That's a real good one. He gave me a full folder of beats. And so I've been listening to it. ah I still have to finish listening to it.
00:01:24
Speaker
This is probably inside. I didn't pick the beat yet. I'm going to put it in after. So. so um But. We got a special, special guest. This is the homie, homie from Chicago. Welcome to the podcast, Olu. now I guess I got him pretty soon. going to be saying the homie from New York. You know, because I moved out here. I mean, you still, but you from? I'm bu from. from. I'm from. But yo, thank you for pulling up, man. like Like I said, or
Olu's Brand: Progression
00:01:51
Speaker
if you have seen, if you watched the West episode, I'm rocking a fire hoodie. I wasn't gonna wear it today, cause it's raining. But that hoodie is your brand, Progression. talked about Progression when I had Keem Studios on. Big fan of your brand, big fan of you, and the way you present everything, and your intention, the storytelling. This is what this is about. I love the storytelling. So for people who are not familiar with you, to introduce yourself. Yeah, definitely. So I'm Olu Ache, I deleke. But I typically go by Olu, I'm the Proud on the progression. So we take moments in black history, we create them onto different t-shirts and apparel. But the number one rule for me is like you need to be able to participate even if you can't purchase anything. And the way we do that is through immersive storytelling. So always tell people when storytelling merely isn't enough, you call me to help build a better universe. Cause like, that's what I really feel like separates what I do from a lot of other people is how do I immediately place people in the context of the story that I'm telling so that they can really immerse themselves in it and truly understand and really truly feel how I, where I'm coming from. Yeah.
Olu's Immersive Experiences
00:02:56
Speaker
The, that is like, we're definitely going to touch into that, but like the, I do feel like the way you've done it and if you ever have a chance to, to whenever you're doing a showing or what'd you call you call it? Experiences? What do you call Yeah. Like pop-ups. Yeah. I mean, I can't say it's a pop-up. Yeah, exactly. I was like, maybe I need to come up with like a better term for it or like a more specific term, but like, I call it just like a, the universe.
00:03:21
Speaker
yeah Yeah, I think the the way that you do it, though, it's like... Like I remember the first, I'm gonna tell you the first time, I remember the first time I i ran into you, you had on the the flight jacket. okay And i remember when I had Fem on, shout out Fem, Dopp, man. But I remember when I had him on, ah I was like, we were posting and posting this stuff posting the the clips and stuff like that. and then he posted that he he did like, or I think he did like a freestyle in the when he was doing the verses every day. And was like, yeah, I was like, yo, that flight jacket is fire, fire. um And then I was just like, as soon as I see it, I'm definitely going to And then um I went to, if it it that wasn't the first time, not streetwear flea market. There was a different time I saw you. It was ah a different time. um Was it like pre-Blackfootwear for him?
00:04:07
Speaker
Pre-black footwear form. what I'm trying to remember. The first time I saw you, you did the the full immersive thing and I was taken aback. The full story. And then I'm trying to remember. It wasn't ComplexCon.
00:04:24
Speaker
and what It wasn't... So yeah, for folks that don't know, so I was ah doing my business full time. yeah um And so I ended up going on a two and a half year long like tour. So it makes sense why you might not know. So I just want to give people that context. yeah So we were traveling yeah and we ended up doing 13 different cities. what for
Olu's First Sneaker Story
00:04:43
Speaker
but All right. So when you was in New York, what was the what was the first one? um It was um a black boy art show That was the first time I ever had did a pop up in New York it was in Brooklyn It was right there at um What's that really popular spot in Brooklyn?
00:04:57
Speaker
um It's like a whole venue space Like a bunch of people host things there Somebody's yelling at the screen i know I know exactly what they're talking about And I mean, i just think that like what you're bringing is something extremely unique. i appreciate it. You know, and what and I've also felt like it was just like it's been missing. It's been missing from this. Like people just kind of like put stuff out and then i'm on to the next thing, you know. But you're here to answer the question that I ask everybody each week. And that question is, what's your first kicks? What's that first pair sneakers you absolutely needed to have? um It was a pair of the Air Jordan 1s, New Love. okay Or Old Love. old love So it was like the mid-black tub. And for whatever reason, maybe because I was a kid, um they sold it separately at the Foot Locker downtown Chicago separately. and i thought it came in a a pack. pat It did. But like for i don't know that's what I'm saying. i don't know if because I was a kid, they sold them separately. yeah so I was able to get the the Old Love ones. And
00:06:01
Speaker
When I tell you that like, so I love telling people this story because really it kind of explains like my trajectory as a designer um and specifically my interest in clothing. um I had worn these shoes, the the the old loves down to the point where like, um when I would play basketball outside, at the end of every like session, there would be a hole in my sock because I literally already put a hole through the shoe. And it was the only pair of shoes I had yeah at the time, and I absolutely loved them. And I think even to an extent, like the rundownness
Evolution to Sneakerhead
00:06:35
Speaker
of them, like I began to like you know get grow an affinity for. yeah um But the interesting thing is um I was always a good student in school um in every subject. And I remember I had to go to school with my mom for like ah like this award ceremony that we're going be having.
00:06:51
Speaker
And when I told you i cleaned up, like everybody was coming up to my mom like, oh my goodness, like your son is so brilliant. He's so smart. And my mom was so embarrassed because... I had this really nice outfit on, yeah but I had shoes with holes in them. yeah And literally that day, as soon as it was over, my mom drove me straight to the mall and was like, you can pick out any shoe that you want. Now I'm a frugal person through and through, but I've always like, um I've always valued a good deal. So I went on to the like, and this was at a time where shoes were actually on sale. You don't see it as much anymore. But like- You get the for 89. And that's exactly what I did. And that is what literally started my sneaker obsession. So as a black kid,
00:07:36
Speaker
Chicago suburb, you're gonna be into into Jordans, but that is when I went from somebody who was into Jordans to like just being a sneaker head. um And yeah, by the time I got to high school, like I had Sauconies in my collection. i was trying to get some Asics. like So that's when I started diversifying
Golden Era of Sneaker Culture
00:07:50
Speaker
the type of sneakers, but everything for me goes back to like that that Air Jordan 1 mid, And ended up years later getting the the new love. So the yellow and black pair that had came out. They've re-released them a couple of times now since then. But I remember I had bought, that was like the first shoe I ever bought just for like purely nostalgia. yeah Cause I probably only wore like three or four times um after I copped them. But I was just happy to say like in my life, like I was able to technically complete the pack. yeah um And then I've just always been an Air Jordan 1 guy. So then by eighth grade, again, I was already into sneakers. So I ended up getting the Celtics Bulls, the Bulls pack. Yeah, yeah, For 200 bucks.
00:08:27
Speaker
And I still have them on collection to this day. Yeah, it's like- That's a cleanup. I just, yeah, I love the eras in which, I wouldn't say we, we're like around the same, I wouldn't say we necessarily grew up in the golden era of it. Cause I do think like a lot of those early collabs from 2000s when it was still accessible, but was still like, you know, niche enough where, you know, you had to know if you know. We kind of grew up in like the internet golden era of it. And like, I just, I'm just so appreciative of it because I wouldn't be doing any of the work I do. I'll finish it here. I remember when Nike had dropped its NBA All-Star pact for when it was, I think in, you know, when the Galaxies had came out. Yeah, Area 72. Oh, no, the Galaxy is the year before, I think. Yeah, but like the phone. With the Big Bang. Yeah, yeah.
00:09:16
Speaker
The storytelling on that is literally so like a lot of early on me and my best friend would be like, I'm just telling sneaker stories through clothes because like Nike was always, you know, my blueprint. And like that's like being able to Google the same stories that I was reading about on like, you know, whatever sneaker form I was um reading was like super inspirational. So like shoes
Community in Sneaker Culture
00:09:36
Speaker
have a special place in my heart. And it's the only reason why I do what I do. for That's awesome. yeah the I do think that like you know the the the art of of like the forums and people getting the community getting together and telling each other the stories like that that is the part that is like that's the
00:09:56
Speaker
That's the fun part. The community, that is the fun part. It's what makes it worth it because again, you know, in an age where everything does oftentimes feel very vapid, it's like one of the biggest reasons why I stopped collecting shoes is because like over time, oftentimes just felt like a money grab. I remember getting, I remember the packaging for like Cool Gray when I had bought them versus like if you get a pair of I guarantee you, you're not getting the same packaging you were getting in the 2010s. Like, that was a special time. Like, that year. do think they brought the packaging back, though. Back now, but was a point where, like, they stopped. No, yeah, they were doing, like, flaps, regular flap boxes. I'm like, yo, like, you're supposed to have, like, With the slide out. And then you have the big, like my cool gray 11, that big X1, you know, the 11, you like use the tab and it's just an experience. like, that's what was just like, those were the moments that I've been chasing with my brand is how do I give people an experience? Because, you know, especially at that time, I mean, again, I don't even know how much 11s cost now, but I remember my cool gray 11s cost 175 and like, that was insane. Like back, back when I was in high school, but like it felt like $175 purchase though. You felt like you got everything that you were paying for. Maybe again, people purists talk about like the quality of a sneaker, but at least the experience of the sneaker definitely felt like $175 worth. And so. Yeah. And I mean like, you know,
00:11:19
Speaker
you bought You made me think about this one time. Well, not this one time. there was a I used to have a hard limit, $250. I was like, $250? And then you were making me think about, like damn, yo. I just remember like now i'm I'm basically almost spending $250 every time. g are yeah it like you know I'm just like, yo, that's crazy. yeah And people are spending even way more. yeah you know yeah um But the... The way that like i'm I'm very curious of like how sneakers like how did you the sneakers community that you grew up in in Chicago, you know, and you said you're from the suburb. Yes, so I'm from the Chicago suburbs. Okay. So like suburb server suburbs are like city suburbs.
00:12:00
Speaker
I would consider us to, I mean, a lot of people from where we're from consider it to be like a city suburb. mean, you got a lot of people going back and forth from like, I'll say this much, man, where I live, I'm from Glenwood, the wood. um You're 20 minutes from the South side of Chicago. You know, that's where my mama went to church and all that type of stuff. We had kids who went to our high school that would like come in Monday through Friday, but on the weekends, day they in the city. um Me and my homies would spend a lot of time in the city, just taking the, you know, the Metro straight up there. um But,
00:12:27
Speaker
All that said, there still was a genuine community. um Shout out to my boy, Dion. I'm gonna send him this interview so he can like literally like listen to it. But he was like everyone's big bro. And um he was the one who like was helping bring a lot of heat to like the community because like when I tell you, when you ask what was it like for us, it was genuine. And what I mean when I say that, like we were genuinely trading shoes. right like Again, like I don't think people, when you were just, you had to be there. And I think that that's why like I'm not participating anymore. I think one of it does, some of it does boil down to age where it's like, you just can't replicate some of those moments in your life when you're just older. um But like, yeah, like I remember like my brother had some like LeBron Miami beaches. Like there were Miami beaches in a Chicago suburb. You know what to Like people listening to this have definitely never heard of Glenwood. But like we had- Every time you hear Chicago, you're always like, oh, Southside or Northside, which is, south Saba's from Northside, right? Which one? Yeah, yeah. North and North is way up, right? And so like it's just funny because to me, because we were out there like trading shoes. um We were specifically like the type of people that like we weren't trying to like get the regular releases, right? like We were on the internet.
00:13:42
Speaker
There was a website called- um Pick Your Shoes? man i see you searching i was Like, that about to say, pick your shoes. Pick your shoes. Where like get genuine, real heat.
00:13:54
Speaker
For the same price you was getting general releases. It's like- Well, some of them were a little, they were sketchy. Some, but no, I want to say like- No us, pick your shoes. There were some fakes on Okay, really? Yeah. I don't know. Like, I thought like, cause that was the other thing. Like I had did a lot of research to know which ones were a little bit more reputable than others, but you, like, I'm talking about a blast from the past. You've just messed my head up with Pick Your Shoes because, like, I would spend a lot of hours, but, um yeah, the Pearl Blue 3s, like, it was just, like, a bunch of, like, cool things. My homie ended up buying, like, a
00:14:26
Speaker
like the women awkward eights and was like the only person like, you know. that the white, that's the white one? Yeah, with like the yellow and blue. Like, so it's like, I also like try to tell people like that is like the sneaker community that I come from as well. It was like, we were genuinely purist and we're like, we weren't into it because it was cool to wear Jordans. We were into it because like, it was cool to find the Jordans that were made because it was highlighting this random era of like the brand, right? Like the Jordan brand doesn't like, well they do, right? But like, but I think that, They co-opted it. We created it. Yes. And then they were like, hey, now we do it. So now when kids are getting into sneakers, it's whatever the brands are telling them be like, oh, yeah, this is the story of Michael Jordan's jacket. And you're like, we were on the forums talking about like, you know, you should be like, oh, yeah, breads, breads versus cement, blacks. Yeah. Like naming shoes And I remember Like or even like When SBs were going crazy And like people were just You know colorway looked like something Yeah And then You'd be like Yo these are Newcastle It's based off of this beer But It's not a real collab You know And that's what made it special Right It's like Yeah it was the nickname It's You're 100% right Like
00:15:43
Speaker
we were in it right before the internet really became what the internet is. And because the internet has made everything accessible, that includes for the people who run these brands. And so they 100% co-opted it. So there's a whole bunch of reasons why I'm not as invested in it as but much as I was, but that is what it was like for us growing up. It was scouring the internet, scouring eBay, um trading shoes, right? Sometimes there's no money exchange. It's like, I'll give you three pair of these for that one pair of Miami. like like And you just don't see that as much anymore. I think the only way the only time you see that is with, again, other purists. so yeah Yeah. Yeah. Last time I... So i was not of I was never a big fan of trading. because Really? Yeah. like my It's only because, I don't know, I'm emotional. I guess I'm emotionally attached to it. A lot of stuff. I'd rather get the money. And then add it the collection. Because if I'm holding on to something... And I'm like looking at it. um I mean, well, what happens is I started looking at it too much and I'm like, damn, you know, it's not, I'm not going to be able to get rid of this. And then when I go to like trade it I'm already looking at I'm already, I'll be like, oh, maybe I'm not getting as much as I wanted. wanted to Yeah. And so you start thinking about it. You're like, no, I'm not going to it. So like, I just stayed away from trades, but there was one time. One time I took a ah trade at Queens. I'm not going to say it. I'm not going to say where I did it because to end up doxing myself. okay but But I did it in Queens. Let's go with that. I did it in Queens. I met a went homey.
00:17:08
Speaker
And
Audience Engagement and Support
00:17:09
Speaker
the shoes didn't fit me. So I was fine with trading them at that point. So i was just like, right, cool. Brian Anderson. asbees Okay. With the camo with the orange ah swoosh. Okay.
00:17:19
Speaker
I need those. I need those. He's running back. Yes, please. And then ah I go and we do we do the the trade and I'm looking at him and he's like, he's a young cat and I'm um maybe in my 20s at the time and I look at him and no conversation. He was just like, cool, got it, thanks.
00:17:37
Speaker
That was it. I'll be like, no, I can't get like a... but I'm really into this Like yo I've been looking for this Like nah And then there's another So that just That made me think about This one time I was walking home from the gym And I'm looking outside i mean I'm walking outside And I see this guy This guy he He's like The back of his car And he held in a pair Yeezys And this was like height of Yeezys height Yeezys I guess they're doing like a ah like a trade or or he's buying it and I just see him pull out the black light and go through it. I'm like, yo, this is where we're at. yeah And again, like it's it's in retrospect, it sounds insane, but when you're talking to me, it reminds me of just like, I would spend hours on sneaker blogs like in college, just like me and my homie just scouring the internet. like
00:18:28
Speaker
It's just, man, you just you're just bringing up. a i like I'm like, oh, wow, like I legitimately used to be like ah genuine snickerhead. That was like an era of my ever make lines?
00:18:39
Speaker
I hope you've been enjoying this week's episode with Olu. And of course, don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment if you're watching this on YouTube. Hit that notification, the bell right there on YouTube as well. so that you know when every new episode drops, which of course drops every Friday. And if you are listening to this on Spotify or Apple or any other audio platform that you listen your podcast to, don't forget to leave a review and rate this point rate this episode five stars or rate the podcast five stars. And if you leave a review, I will read it at the end of an episode.
00:19:15
Speaker
And of course, if you want to go the extra mile, Please sign up for the Patreon. All money from the Patreon goes right back into the podcast and helps me out tremendously. Tremendously. So please hit up
Career Shift: Medicine to Fashion
00:19:29
Speaker
the Patreon at patreon.com slash my first kicks.
00:19:33
Speaker
And of course, let's jump back right into the episode. What do you mean when you say line up for sneakers in Chicago? when you when you When you say line up, what you mean? Oh, did I? I have done a bunch of like, ah ah i my mom knew this guy at the finish line at River Oaks. I'm dropping gems for people who are like from Chicago. um She knew this guy at River Oaks and he knew about how good of boys me and my brother were. And yeah my mom would tell him, we always get like, we would only come up there when we got good grades. right So he knew like, oh, you, Your mom bringing you through because you got good grades.
00:20:10
Speaker
So I think he, my mom ended up having to give him like, let's say like the the cool grades was like 175. I think my mom had to end up getting him like 200 or something like that. And he he held our, then he held our pair. So I got- to he again come up So I was able just to walk in there to get like my cool grade 11s.
00:20:28
Speaker
I don't know if he was doing that for too many people because he wasn't working there when the concourse dropped. yeah So me and my boys had to legitimately wait in line for the concords. I went in line for concords. i Anything crazy happen? No, no, not that year. Cause I remember that was when like at its peak. But unfortunately I never got a chance to wear my concords because somebody broke into my house and stole exclusively all my J's. What? Sounded like an inside job. It wasn't 100% of an inside job. was my brother's best friend at the time. But I bring it that up to say, like um yeah, there was definitely line culture, and I was definitely one of the people like in line. um But yeah, and most of the times I was in line, I always went home happy. Yeah. Yeah, a couple of shoes. I have my Royal Blue. Because I'm trying to remember the last major purchase I probably would have gotten probably was like my, the most not the most recent, um the Flu Games that had came out.
00:21:15
Speaker
That would have been like 2016 or something. The same year that the Masters came out. Those were probably like my last two major pickups before I kind of just like started getting into like... I know, yeah, you got the zapatos on right now. like that's what are What are the... you gonna So these are docks, but they're custom just because um I ended up like ah spraining my ankle. And like the the um I had to do some like ah construction work, not construction construction work, but like building work. And the sole, the foam in this joint was actually really good. So it was like helpful. um I mean, they look...
00:21:44
Speaker
they look there They look dope. Yeah, no, so yeah. So I ended up having to paint in them and stuff like that. But yeah, I want to say that was when Kanye West started pivoting into his Yeezy brand, but also started wearing stuff like Chelsea boots. I kind of pivoted with Kanye. Because Kanye has always been my goat when it comes to this fashion. Him and Virg and what they did together, especially again in the 2010s, was like, I wouldn't be doing any of the work. I told people if wasn't for Kanye- Chicago ran for a hot minute. Yeah, and Virg, I wouldn't be doing the type of work that I'm doing. Where are, all right. So like, let's, let's talk about how'd you get into this? What, where the origins like your fashion, like was streetwear that just inspired you? Like what, what was the thing that really got you to be like, maybe I can really do this.
00:22:29
Speaker
It was college. I was a sophomore. No, I was a junior. I tell people I just came back from doctor camp. Right. So I had a chance to do a six week summer program at Case Western Medical School. And wait, you were going to school to become a doctor. Yeah.
00:22:45
Speaker
I was. At the time, I was like trying to see if that's what I would want to do. Yeah. Because if you asked my mom what your eldest son was going to be, she would have told you with conviction I was either going to be the president or I was going to be OB-GYN, right? Oh, yeah? Those are like the only two options I had. And so what ended up happening was I ended up applying to this program, super competitive program. I get into it and two things happen. One,
00:23:08
Speaker
I signed up for a brain surgery to shadow one you have to get up super early. I think I might've gotten up at like 3 a.m. to get ready for it. And like the surgery was at five. I fell asleep during the surgery. When everybody in the program found out that I fell asleep, they started freaking out like, oh my goodness, how could you fall asleep? This was one of the most well sought out ones. Like, oh, you basically wasted someone's opportunity, right? Wait, you were in the room or are you in the observation room? Yeah, the observation room. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But like I still have to wear the scrubs and like all that. was back there with the doctors they like talking me through some stuff and I'm like, I don't care. It's like four o'clock in the morning right now.
00:23:45
Speaker
So that happened. yeah And then they told me how much medical school cost. I literally had to come home and tell my mom, I said, I'm not becoming a doctor. Like it was like, she was like, are you sure? I'm like, i don't think I've been any more sure about anything. So I decided to pivot away from that. And so that very same summer after I came back from that program, I started my brand because and like I think the post is still up. I literally said, I don't ever want to be a what if type of person. yeah
Brand Philosophy and Design Inspiration
00:24:10
Speaker
um And it's always been my dream to have one. But yes, it was 100% sneaker culture is what influences me. It's 100% street wear. But
00:24:19
Speaker
When I came back, I was on Tumblr. Tumblr played a huge role in my creativity as well. No, facts. And so was scrolling through Tumblr and there was this guy, think his name's like, i'm not going to say his name, but he made this shirt that was like, I drink white tears for like breakfast. And then it was like a mug as well. And I just thought it was corny.
00:24:39
Speaker
like and And I didn't realize why I thought it was corny until years later. So one of the most important aspects of my brand that people need to understand is we don't center our oppressors. yeah And in that moment, it's like you're trying to flex on your oppressor by centering them. right like Why are you waking up drinking out of a mug that says I drink white tears for breakfast? like That just didn't feel...
00:25:02
Speaker
um like worthy of like exploring um and ah and like I mean not to cut you off yeah but like I've been in this like I've been having a ton of conversations and ever since I had Deontay on and stuff like that but like the the I've noticed that like everybody there's always people are always trying to find a way to make themselves better than someone else. And so it and I don't know if that leads to people bettering themselves, because i feel like if you're if it's coming out of negativity. right so like drinking white tears sure fun funny yeah whatever but like at the end of the day like who what ah what is creating the white tears we're not asking that we're not asking the main question that was just like are these like what kind of
00:25:52
Speaker
Tears are there. andison that's That's a really good question, right? And then you, again, it becomes less about the oppression you experience by these people and it becomes more about the oppressor itself. yeah um And then, I'm not exaggerating, maybe three or four posts down from there it was someone who was making like um these like free food breakfasts, Black Panther a reissued free food breakfast program.
00:26:13
Speaker
And i was like... what if I combined like powerful messages like this person try to do with like actual historical things? And so the first teacher I ever made was the Panther Power, which is where I explore the Black Panther yeah party. And like I remember with that one, it was like, it was like i came with a thank you card, which was like on an eight and 11 sheet of paper that said, like thank you for your purchase. and like everyone who bought my first shirt, like I knew all those people personally and I shipped them all their stuff or brought it to their dorm room and all that type of stuff. And so everyone who didn't get a shirt, but I kind of felt like they missed out on a moment because I was pretty popular in college, I mean, as well. So like within the black community, because it wasn't that many black people on campus, right? So like- What school did you- I went to UIC, double degree. So I got both my master's and my right, man. All right. Take it easy.
00:26:59
Speaker
And so like, you know, like it was one of those Double degree. Yeah,
Role of Research in Creativity
00:27:04
Speaker
god have my life like double la I Shout out to the flames. You're like, I'm very accomplished, my friend. Oh, and I just, no, UIC just did so much for me, man. Like I can never turn my back um on them. And so like, yeah, I was just like a a bunch of people are just like,
00:27:22
Speaker
So when you drop in another one and so funnily enough to bring this all full circle ask me why I made my first t-shirt Why'd you make your first t-shirt? So I can make enough money to buy another pair of Jordans And when everyone as was asking like they felt like they missed out on the moment and they were like, you know Like when you drop in the next one instead of buying a new pair of Jordans I reinvested that money back in my brand and I yeah guess I haven't stopped for nine years That's crazy. That's crazy. That's crazy. But when I tell people bob was genuinely like, it's funny enough, this story's gonna be very full circle, man. That's what I'm saying. I love being from Glenwood. yeah And I love like what UIC did for me. First person I called when i the sample shirt came in the mail was actually femme.
00:28:00
Speaker
Yeah, he was like, FaceTimed him and was like, yo, like this is, I'm starting a brand, like this my t-shirt. And he was like, oh, I need one. And he ended up copping that. And then he also got the Black One Out of Future one and then wore ah um his first time at South By as well. like So when like our our stories like are intertwined from like the jump. He was the first person I called. He was like the first, you know, celebrity to wear my stuff on stage, you know, that sort of thing. No, man. I mean, that's dope, man. The...
00:28:29
Speaker
oh that's crazy because like the the the way of the pivot the pivot is so crazy to me because i think a lot of people and you know you know i i do get hit up a lot for advice and stuff and you know i'm i'm always big yeah take it take it you know like see what you can do with it but the the idea of of just being like yo i'm you know this is not for me anymore. And you're like, you're like I do wanna try this thing. But I'm curious of like your creativity, where did that spawn from?
00:29:00
Speaker
like are you Were you always creative person? I'm sure people would say yes, but I always tell people for me, the creativity spawns from the research. I tell people I'm a researcher that happens to design well, and in fact,
00:29:14
Speaker
like something that I preach to everybody and myself included, you're only as good as your last reference. Same. I always say that. I would say it you're always as good as the last thing you put out. So, I mean. So what I mean when I say like your last reference is like, you're only as good as the last thing that you like read about. Yeah. And like, that's the only reason why I'm like, I'm like, if you never stop reading, you'll never run out of a good idea. Right. You know, so like, that's where the creativity comes from. I id actually read. Yeah. i I've noticed, I'm more of like a watcher, I pay attention a lot. And so, you know, I don't really, unless I get drunk, I don't really comment on a lot of things. Because sometimes I'll be, I'll be on Twitter and people be like, oh, he's drinking again. Oh, he's drinking again, that boy. He saw stuff.
00:30:03
Speaker
But i i'm I'm very like, I pay attention to a lot of things. And then, you know, I let it. I'm not reactionary. yeah Yeah. Like I, I try to like let things process. yeah And then I come, ah i come out with what my full thought. um But like, I do think we live in a world where people are doing less reading. Yeah. You know, people are like picking. and I'm not I'm not a big reader myself, but like I'm like, I've found I've been I've been teaching myself ah Portuguese. I'm going to Brazil. no' See the family and all that. So I've been, you know, you have to read in order to do that. So but I've been feeling like, damn, I want to read more. And like, ah you know, I got like Salahi's book and. I'm trying to like really dive in deep to to what I'm helping. You talking about the one he just dropped out Complex? I bought that. I don't know where mine is. remember remind to me i'm like i because yeah Every time like I go somewhere somewhere, I'm like, I try to buy a book. yeah That was like the only thing I bought from Complex. Yeah, it was dope. I got it from Kith. He signed it for me. That's amazing. but But I think it's just like we do need to promote reading more. 1000%.
00:31:09
Speaker
thousand percent i'm um I've been noticing myself, like I've watched a lot of podcasts, but like i I stick to mainly like, you know, like politics and what's going on. I want i want to i want to know what the hell's going on now. Of course. And the I'm noticing, like I'm not digesting it as I used to because it's just too too much. It's a lot. i know what you mean. I know what you mean. And I always tell something that I've been reflecting a lot. So right now I'm probably reading four different books because I want people what I'm gonna be preaching to people is I want people to treat reading the same way we teach, like um um like feel about watching TV shows. When you tell somebody you're reading four books, will be like, how is that possible? But like, if you told somebody like you watch four different shows at once, you pick up the TV show you're in the mood for, you pick up the boo the book that you're in the mood for. yeah i'm So I'm reading like, Relentless, right? Which is by like, I think Tim Grover, right? So like when I'm looking for like,
00:31:59
Speaker
that motivation is just like, that's what I read. But then I'm also reading The Little White ah Devil in America by Hanif, right? And so like, anytime I wanna read something that just feels like extremely poetic, like I pick up that type of thing. And so like, i read the books that I've based off of the feeling that I have. And so like, I'm just like, i want people to feel the same way they feel about TV shows about reading.
00:32:18
Speaker
Pick up four books that you like and just read the one that's most interesting. And then the other hack that I personally have that's changed everything is, I just don't take my my phone to the bathroom no more. I just literally take a book instead. You'll you'll just you'll get so much more reading done. I'll be trapped in the bathroom.
00:32:35
Speaker
at least you'll be trapped reading though, you know what I mean? like And I remember as a shorty, I don't know, I also have this a really funny relationship with bathrooms, but even I would just be it as like, they're just super, at least my childhood bathroom was super cozy. And I would just be in there and just read for hours. And so like- They're like, oh, we'll get out of the bathroom. No, literally. um So like, yeah, man, was like, that that's that's like ah I just read a lot. And I say like,
Balancing Client and Brand Work
00:33:00
Speaker
um because I'm a researcher, right I always tell people whenever I'm working on a project and that's probably what makes my like concepts just really appear like so strong to other people um is I don't do any guesswork.
00:33:16
Speaker
Anytime you see a project completed by me, it's 100% driven by research. And I always remind myself if you don't know what to do next because you haven't done enough research. that's still And that's why everything always feels really complete, at least for me, yeah um whenever I'm working on a project, because it's like, I don't leave anything up to like guessing. It's just like, why is this thing that color? like Sometimes I'm like, yo, I don't know what color to choose. I just worked on a project for a client recently,
00:33:40
Speaker
and everything was black and white. And I was like, that just feels meh to my, but it was a project about like ah Chicago, right? So then I took everything that was all white or like whatever, and I started adding like the Chicago blue to it. And i ended up like designing like this really cool sweatsuit, right? And it just, the color was the most important aspect of it. But it was just like, I didn't know what color the suit should have been until I did the research. I'm like,
00:34:04
Speaker
And now when people look at it they're going to be like, this is fire. And like, you know, now you have this idea of like this, like, like dreamer sky blue. Right. And it's just like, why is that the color? It's because of the research. Right. And I think of. Well, you glossed over. He's just like a client. So like, what is because outside of the brand, you know? Yeah. So, yeah, I do client work here and there. So i work with a gentleman by his name is Dion Dawson. He like, I think is like.
00:34:27
Speaker
one of the greatest human beings ever. So he runs Deon Chicago Dream where they help feed um people who don't have access to like fresh food um through this like locker system where basically, let's say you have a set of 20 lockers um and ah each family in that community is given a day to go pick up food from that locker. So these 20 lockers can go on and feed what's 20 times 7, 140 families in a week because every day there's a new locker combination. yeah that That same family. So one family A can use locker one um on Monday and then family B can use locker one on Tuesday because like- it's amazing. Amazing. And so like he's also just like- And he found you?
00:35:05
Speaker
Yeah. Through the the brand. Yeah. I tell people, man, like, if you follow your dreams, wild like, everything starts to make sense. and like And just to even make everything full circle about the medicine thing, because my partner, she is a medical doctor. And sometimes she'll come home to work from work and just, like, tell me some of the things that she's, like, doing. And i was just like, man, that's not me. That's really not me, you know? And I think one of the things that I'll say is I've... um I've foregone a lot of money. yeah Deciding to like follow my dreams instead of getting a full-time job. I am working full-time right now because it's super expensive to live in New York. But like before that, like I i like, you know, could have got a full-time job but decided to like do my business instead. um And i've've I've never been happier with the decisions that I've made. So like, yeah, whatever's on, i always something more whatever's on your heart, like just do it and do it out loud because the people that are looking for you can only find you if you're making enough noise. And like, yeah, it's never about the fame, the money or the accolades. It's about making sure you can find the other people who will continue to amplify
00:36:08
Speaker
what you're already doing. So yeah, I was working on a project for him because he's part of the culture. So in addition to like the free food programming stuff he wants to do, he just wants to kind of like, you know, so actually through him, i don't know if it's gonna come out, but like and I can show you stuff off camera, um but I also designed a sneaker with him.
00:36:22
Speaker
So like I technically have my first shoe, oh and it's insane. And that was also inspired by like a Parisian butterfly, and his story of going to France, and all this other stuff. um And the shoe is like based off of a like butterfly as well. So like I also really enjoy client work more than anything else. because I'll say it this way and I'll stop talking, I promise. like um No, you're good. We're here for you. Virgil said it, man.
00:36:44
Speaker
Progression is my greatest asset. It's my greatest client. yeah So whenever people are just like, yo, know how do i you know do how do I break into this industry or so on and so forth? My first job in the creative industry like was is art director. right That's what i currently am. I'm an art director, right? I've never had a like full-time agency job before this moment. How did I ever do that?
00:37:03
Speaker
Because they hired me because of all the amazing art direction I was doing for my own brand, right? yeah This guy hired me because of all the, so if you can't find an agency to hire you, create a brand. And that's what I'll be trying to tell people. Like, I don't really know what my end goal is with this brand, but I can tell you that like, I'm not just progression. Progression is just merely a vehicle to highlight all of the amazing skills and talents that I do have. yeah And so
Building Community in Chicago
00:37:27
Speaker
like that So to answer your question He found me yeah Because I was just like Doing my job You know Following my dream Which is I think Every human's job I think I mean that's ah That's an interesting Perspective On it Because People don't really realize That they can Package Their skills Right Everybody thinks They're like Oh yeah Like I remember I went to a resume Building class okay One time
00:37:51
Speaker
that I got laid off at working at Time Inc and this and that. And then i ended up at a resume building class and they were like, hey, you know, if you've done this in, you know, when you went to school, just put it on your resume. And like, yeah.
00:38:05
Speaker
And it's like, I feel like there's a lost art of like, yo, you're, you are able to do as much as you can. and you can, you can tell people, but people have to know that you do that you're doing it. And so the only way they know is if you put it on your resume, you go, hey, yo, I did this, this and this. Or like you word it in a way where it's like, hey, this is what I'm capable of doing, right? But the the thing that people aren't noticing now is that now your resume is your Instagram profile. Like that's one of the things that I've had to like force myself is like, again, you're not posting because you're trying to get a certain amount of likes. You're posting because the person who's looking for you cannot find you unless you post. exact That's it. yeah Like, Literally, funnily enough, I got two client jobs because I posted about progression randomly last week. Like two clients that came out of the woodworks and was like, hey, I'm literally hiring you because I seen the work that you were doing with your brand. And one of the clients was literally like, we've gone to other places ever since we worked with you the first time, no one can do what you do. yeah You know what mean? Like, we we need you to come back and we're willing to pay whatever your rate might be because also i haven't worked with them for like two years. So like, yes.
00:39:18
Speaker
Everybody listening, your Instagram is not for how many likes you can get. It's about, because I always remind myself, I'm not posting to get a certain amount of likes. I'm posting to get that one person that could change my life. Because I always tell people, it's not about who you know, it's about who knows you.
00:39:35
Speaker
That's what people lie to you and say, i know a lot of but I know a lot of people, but you those same people, now I know Salehi. I met Salehi a couple of times, but does Salehi actually know me? yeah No, you know what mean? So it's all about who knows you. yeah And so like I think that like they can't, again, I'm just going to keep using that language because I love the fact that you had asked me because you want to actually hear the story? Yeah.
00:39:55
Speaker
something So one of the guys that I knew when I was working with Foot Locker at the time, shout out to Mikey P. Sign, he was like, yo, Olu, I think you would really benefit from coming to this event that we having on the Southside Foot Locker. This guy's coming to speak on the panel, blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, cool, I'll pull up.
00:40:13
Speaker
I'm not exaggerating. I come late, I walk into the spot and i sit all the way in the butt back and Deon stops his presentation and was like, I've been looking for you. I'm going to be talking to you at the very end. i'm did You like, yeah, you been tapped in.
00:40:29
Speaker
Dion... gave me, was the first person to pay me the amount of money that i was worth. yeah You know what mean? Like I did not work full time for a two and a half years. um And he basically, through the contract I signed with him, like the only reason why I was able to pay for ComplexCon was through the contract I signed with him. So like, yeah, like literally, like when you say he found me, like our relationship is very spiritual to me. um But the only reason why he was able to find me because I posted work. yeah You know? the I want to know about like,
00:41:00
Speaker
So you talked a little bit about the reception of Progression when it first started. Well, I don't if it was Progression at that time. Yes, Progression, gratefully for me, has been the only brand I've ever started for. No, I'm saying like when you made that shirt, when you made the Black Panther shirt. yeah, yeah, I don't know if it was called Progression at that time. Yeah, we still was. You were like, from the jump, you got it. That's hard. I appreciate it. But like...
00:41:20
Speaker
I wanna know like Chicago, the scene is, I feel like it's so community based. So like, yeah how was it building the community? How was it i'd like, like, I mean, you were saying you're, you know, you know, the best and everybody loved you in college. Well, I mean, i but I'll be on some real talk, though. like how How did you... Because, like, look, for example... Not to cut you off, but, for example, like, you know, met up at ComplexCon. Obviously, BroGod said, what up? That was the biggest hug I got. But it's just, like, I, you know, going to femme shows. Like, i I've always heard how much of, like, like you know, like...
00:41:56
Speaker
Chicago is all about like you find your people, you find your people. So I wanted to I wanted to I wanted the listeners to understand that as well, because like I've been a big fan of Chicago, Chicago music like For years, for years now, right? So like, you know, Saba, Pivot pivot Gang, everybody, you know, like Chance, Vince, ah Vic. um And so like everybody, ah I was been listening to Chicago music for a really long time. So I hear about and see how those artists, you know, build communities. So I'm curious about how'd you build yours? Yeah, I built it in the most organic way. um i think one of the most important things that people should recognize when they're on their journey and it's something that I've grown to appreciate as time kind of continues is um you have to build whatever you're building with whatever resources you have at the time. i mean, be okay with that. So what does that mean is before my brand became more recognized in the city of Chicago, I had to make sure it was recognized on campus. So that's how I built my community, right? I remember the first time I ever hosted a pop-up not on campus, I was scared, right? But like, I graduated. So after I graduate, like, you gotta move on, yeah you know? And so when I moved on, those people decided to come with me because they were so it was still fresh, right? So a lot of the
Overcoming Brand Challenges
00:43:15
Speaker
majority of people who were supporting me when I first you know, started with my college homies. And then from there, um it was then the people from Chicago. But I think um there's a saying it's called like, you gotta go to the funeral, right? um that one
00:43:29
Speaker
And so pretty much what that means is like, there's certain times where you're not gonna feel like doing something, but you have to do it because like, again, if someone wants to pass away, you can't not go to the funeral, right? that if it's important to someone, then you should show up for them despite how you feel because again, you gotta go to the funeral. And so that was really probably the most important part of me growing to Chicago. I mean, my my my brand in Chicago was I actually had to leave the crib and actually go support other people so that those same people would wanna come and support me, right? um Chicago's one of those cities where like people who complain about the city not supporting them or having their back are probably not pouring into the same city. yeah Because once you meet one person, right? Like, Brigard has like, like, tours for Fem, right? And like, Brigard has also come on tour with me before, you know? So like, we're like, also like tapping into the same community to help us push forward our things because like, you know, like,
00:44:28
Speaker
that's how it works, right? You pour into them and they pour back into you. And so like, I think the other part that would really help is just like friendship, right? Like I think even what we're building here, right? It's just like, I don't work with anybody unless you're my friend, right? And so like, yeah, like oftentimes like I'll call somebody to be like talk business, but we end up like talking about 101 things outside of that because like, was like, I genuinely am friends with these people. um But yeah, I would say like the most important part for me of how I built that community was just like leaving a crib too. And I always used to wonder, and I think if no one remembers anything else, I want people to remember this, right? i used to always wonder like, how are some people so talented and like no one knows who they are? I'm like, them people don't leave the crib. You can't like be the best and not leave the crib. gotta leave the crib. You the best in the crib? You know what I mean? And I always remind myself, man, there's somebody out there
00:45:16
Speaker
that probably looks at me and is just like, yo, I'm so much more talented than this than this dude making this brand. And probably, I always tell people, like that that'm ah I'm okay with that, right? yeah But who knows you?
00:45:28
Speaker
Don't be a man mad at me, because more people know who I am, because I left the crib, you know what mean? And vice versa. I can't be mad at somebody that I think I'm more talented than, but knows the right people, because it's just like,
00:45:38
Speaker
They spent enough time in the crib getting better at their skill, but also understand that skills are not everything. It's going to get you to a point. It's going to get you to a point. You got to leave the crib. I also think, and to add on that too, because like,
00:45:51
Speaker
I've been saying this and I've been people who have been coming at me when I say that too but like about like leaving the crib but like I also think it's just like you can't get better if you're not having more experiences so like you can get good to the point where you gonna get good yeah then once you leave the crib you get better yeah and so that that room for, you have to have that room for growth or else you're just gonna be like, don't wanna do this anymore. Like yeah inspiration breeds creativity. Yeah, 100%, yeah. one hundred percent yeah
00:46:24
Speaker
um But yeah, besides that, I don't really know because I will also be honest in saying that it's been a it's been a whirlwind the last nine years. I think the last part- Crazy, nine Nine years is nuts, bro. I think that like, um yeah, when people ask me that question of like, how do you build a community? It's just like,
00:46:40
Speaker
Because I want to say that, like, yeah, everybody that... Every time I've been to... I want to say it is three. I want to say it's three activations I see you do, right? ah I feel like people come around. Like, the energy is so dope. And then it's just like... It's not... It never feels like...
00:46:58
Speaker
you're, yo you got to leave here with something. Right? But you want to, like, the the the to change, it like, you're, like, there, you're like, damn, I want, I need to, need to cop something. something. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because, like, you know, it you've seen it, you've been around other people trying to, they're like, yo you know, hook it, like, cop this, cop this, look at this, how what do you think about this? And you're,
00:47:17
Speaker
I mean, you we got to talk about why that approach, why the approach of like, I'm going to tell a story, I'm going to give you a whole immersive experience and I'm going to bring you into my world so that when you step back and you look at it, you're like, I need to be a piece. you need to be a part of that world. Yeah. So how did that come? How did that come about? Why do you what what? Like what created what made you want to create that?
00:47:38
Speaker
Sneakers. Remember, like it goes back to that very beginning of- But that specifically, like I'm talking about you do you you built you do build outs. Well, yeah, but that, you saw it when it was in progress. yeah yeah Day one, it was not like that. Right, right, right. That's what I'm asking. How'd you get to that point? I don't know. like I tell people all the time, if i like i now sometimes I get chills thinking about that original. I always tell people like I never wanted to be a what if person. I even said it at the nine year celebration we had a couple of weeks ago. Oh, we gotta talk about that. I'm like, bro, if somebody would have told me yeah my life would look like this, because I just didn't want to know what the what if was if I didn't, my God, am I so happy I didn't have to worry about the what if. yeah You know, because like, i can't imagine my life looking anything else other than what it's looking like, but like, that's only here because like, I didn't want to have that what, like if,
00:48:28
Speaker
You hear so many people talk about what ifs, but the fact that I'm living my what if is like, I'll never ever have like a, I'll never ever leave space in my life for like, what if I did this? What if I'm i'm always gonna do that thing? Because i always run remind myself, again, I've traveled, and I think that's another thing people gotta understand. I've traveled,
00:48:47
Speaker
30 hours from Chicago to l LA and another 30 hours back within a four four day period. right So spending more time on the road than we did on land yeah and didn't sell enough to break even. right like People have to understand that like the reason why i did that though is because the alternative is staying at home. And I know what my
Immersive Storytelling in Fashion
00:49:08
Speaker
life looks like if I stay at home. yeah but I'm always gonna leave the crib if the what if is you could change your life. Even if I don't, yeah even if it doesn't yield that, it's better to try it and have my life be changed than to try it and not, because I know what happens if I stay at home. right um But like, yeah, I think that when you were yeah you were asking about like, how did it come into this? It's just research, man. Like it really is It's like- um Well, explain, explain, because if you've never been to a progression pop-up, just explain- I love like the mythology behind it. I hope so many people are like, Like, they always get a chance to like immerse themselves. because yeah I mean, and that it's really cool having these type of conversations because it does put a lot of perspective where i like, I have come a along, Gwen. I appreciate you yeah and the way you're like, um you know, contextualizing it. But yeah, what I mean when I say research is, for example, right?
00:49:55
Speaker
um Bessie Coleman, first black woman ever get her aviation license. She flew all the way. She made a trip all the way to France to learn how to fly because no American flight school would teach how to do it because it was nineteen twenty s um She immediately comes back. She starts doing these like super dangerous stunts on planes called barnstorming because there is no commercial aviation history. And her biggest dream is to open up her own aviation school after she accomplished the biggest dream up to that point, which was getting her aviation license. yeah She was able to earn enough money to buy her own plane that she fully owned because before this moment, she was just borrowing a bunch of planes. And i was like a really big thing. I need my own plane to do my own stunts, but i also need to start collecting planes to open up my own flight school. yeah um And the plane she bought was like,
00:50:37
Speaker
It was It was a junk plane You know Like unfortunately And that's the true reason Why she passed away um The pilot who flew it From ah Florida To where she was at Almost didn't make it twice Right Like that's how Poor of a condition The plane was When she received it But that's how badly She wanted to validate Her like ability Right Like I don't care if it's little rinky dink, if it's a plan and I could call it my own, I will. She unfortunately passed away at only 34 years old, um you know, a day before the biggest show she was going to have in a plan that she fully owned herself. um And so when I was thinking about her story, I said, hey, like,
00:51:15
Speaker
I wanna honor her through the dream she always had, right? Which was to open up her own flight school. yeah So I created this fictional flight school called the Bessie Aviation School. um I acted as like the program chair. My homie Tuck at was like the dean of the school. And then we had class captains, um which were three black women from Chicago that I believed were, um what's the word, ah the carrying on like Bessie's fighting spirit. And so when I was thinking about like the different places that I could like do a lookbook at, right? The Bessie Aviation School does not exist. So it gave me the permission to say, well, if it doesn't exist, then build it. it yeah And like, again, i think when you, when people, i guess to answer your question more concisely, like how do I come up with all of this stuff?
00:51:57
Speaker
I'm just literally like, I'm trying to build a better universe. Like I think that that is why I say it when storytelling, I think that's one of the most overused terms right now and in our culture. um That's why I try to be the antithesis to that, right? When storytelling merely isn't enough, you call me to help build a better universe. What do I mean by that? We built the the the actual airport hangar, right? um Bessie was a chili parlor manager to help up save some money. So I opened up a fictional chili parlor called Pepper's Chili Parlor. And I collaborated with a Michelin star chef, shout out to Kenan Brackett. And I then collaborated with ETC, um which was a really fine establishment in Chicago, black owned as well. And we did a private dinner for 20 black women with a five course meal, all produced around Bessie's like aviation life and journey. yeah She also was a nail tech when her brother came into the room teasing her. It was, she was actually working as a nail tech saying, oh I just seen a bunch of white women doing something you'll never be able to do. um So we opened up a nail salon and I collaborated with black owned, Nail techs in Chicago. And then I ah gave them models and photographers to take pictures in the collection with them with the nails. And then we did like an art exhibition with a live art show. And then like Robert S. Abbott was the owner of the Chicago Defender, which was the most widely circulated newspaper. And he's the one who helped fun part of her trip. And one of the biggest reason why he did that was like, he was also doing it for the fact of like, when she does this, I can put it in my newspaper that a black woman is like an aviator now. yeah um
00:53:19
Speaker
And so I also like created a ah newspaper, fake newspaper, built a whole newspaper stand for it and all that other stuff and sold my newspaper out of there as well. And so that is how like I do the research. That's what I mean when I say research. It's like none of these ideas came to me out of the blue. I literally read the, do and I'll give myself the credit, right? I had the creativity to flip it into something much cooler, right?
00:53:42
Speaker
But like, again, I didn't do any guesswork. Like my next collection, I won't speak too much about it here, um but I'm doing stuff about Jackie Robinson. And like, it's insane the world that I'm building. If you thought we what we did was with Bessie was cool, just wait till you see what we do because with with the Jackie, because I learned so much about my process. And I think that that's the other part that I'll end it here for at least for now is um Open-ended, open-ended right here. I only got to this point yeah because i kept going. And I think that that's the most important part.
00:54:15
Speaker
What it looked like on day one is now what it looks like at year nine. And I'm just constantly building on top of what I had did the previous time, right? yeah So with the Bessie Aviation School, it was the first time where we had this idea of class captains, right? I always loosely only put people in my product um campaign shoots if they're like, were adjacent to the story, but this was the first time I was pulling people in because they were literally a part of that story. right So moving forward, all of the people, if like i have people, oh I'm trying to just be a part of like your campaign or whatever. I'm just like, if you don't fit the story I'm telling, it's like, I'm sorry, like you could be the most beautiful person on the planet, but I'm not looking for conventional attraction. I'm looking for people who will help push this story forward. um And so that was what I learned. Be an actual part of the legacy. Legacy, yeah. yeah And so like, um yeah, like,
00:55:05
Speaker
I'll leave it here. Build something. When that person whoever said build it and they will come, wasn't lying. That's how I was able to build my nine years is one of my best friends, his name is Moon.
00:55:15
Speaker
He says, people don't want to be saved. They just want to be loved. yeah And that is what progression is, right? It's just loving people out loud and just believing that this is how I want love myself and I think other black people want to be loved in this way as well. So I'm just going build it. And if they come, they will. of course
Reflecting on Brand Achievements
00:55:33
Speaker
And apparently, like they they've been coming for like the last nine years. It's been a blessing. Genuinely, genuinely a blessing to just, again, like I always remind myself while I'm not exactly where I would like to be, um I can't discount the fact that like I've had experiences where like
00:55:50
Speaker
Again, if you would have told me you would have been doing ComplexCon two years in a row, I'd be like, what are you talking about? I'm just trying to make t-shirts. And you would fund that trip and all your friends that come, they don't have to pay for anything. Again, I'm like, there's no way I did that.
00:56:07
Speaker
But I did. on, man. You got to give yourself as much credit as you can. You got to smell the flowers. While you're just in there. Exactly. ah The nine-year anniversary. Yeah. <unk> It looks so dope. I appreciate that. And um i only the only part I saw was the the unveiling of Fem's.
00:56:26
Speaker
Oh, word. His print? Yeah. I'm like, man, yo, that is sick. But what went behind it? And I know it was like, also celebrated your birthday. Yeah, yeah, I'm always weird, really weird about my birthday. And so as I was bringing in a new decade, birthdays are always really weird for me. And so I wanted to make sure that I celebrated the new decade of my life in a way that I thought would really allow me to appreciate everything that I've been able to do. And I think the best way for me to do that would be around people. Typically on my birthdays, I like hide away, be by myself, order in some food and pretend that it's not my birthday. And I was able to pretend it wasn't my birthday that day, but a little bit less so. But it just felt so fulfilling to be around people who genuinely cared. Because you know, we also did the celebration two days after Christmas. And you know, like,
00:57:19
Speaker
people don't have to like stop the time with their family during the middle of the holidays to come kick it with us. And i was just grateful that people genuinely did. But yeah, the nine year was um called Communities My Cosign. Again, i think it's so important just to put work out there. The idea for the nine year anniversary party only came after ComplexCon. So I actually sold the t-shirt as my, um the t-shirt t-shirt, but community is my cosign at ComplexCon. But at the time I dropped it at ComplexCon, I didn't actually have the vision for the nine year anniversary. But because I started the work, again, if you build it, and they will come it will come. And like, and so, and same with the ideas, right? Like you can't know what to do next without doing the first thing. um But yeah, the nine year was just about how i wanted to celebrate. I made the joke during the nine year anniversary, i said,
00:58:05
Speaker
For year 10, it's gonna be all about me. yeah So I thought at least for the year before it's all about me, I wanted to actually show y'all who helped the 10 year even become possible, which are these 14, 15 people that I wanted to highlight. um And it was it was absolutely beautiful. So I, in grad school, started researching um these things called um Adire, which is a traditional um indigenous practice of Thai and dying and Yoruba people, and I'm Yoruba. But during colonization, the Dutch um colonists had brought over this thing called Ankara, which mimicked batik, resist dying, but it was much more colorful. And they tried to get it to pop off in Indonesia. The Indonesians didn't want it because they knew it was a cheap knockoff, but the West Africans absolutely loved it. yeah And they loved it so much that when people think of about um like generic or like African prints, it's actually Ankara and it's actually a Dutch product. And to this day,
00:59:03
Speaker
Vlisko, which is the biggest name in Ankara, like they are still like a European owned company. So imagine the imagine basically the product of Africa is still being ran by like its it's it's origin Dutch colonizers. So for me, I did not like that. So my research was like about the textiles and how does fashion decolonize spaces. um And so basically I started doing my research on it. And what I did was I created this secret third thing, right, where I take the colorful nature of Ankara plus the semiotics of Idirik and Puringham all together yeah to create these things called Banjo prints. And so I celebrated all of the nine people for our nine year anniversary or the 14 people. 14 people. um
00:59:46
Speaker
for the nine for the nine year anniversary with these banjo prints where like if you look at all of them, there's a couple of different motifs. So in the back first layer, it's like a this zigzag. yeah So that's an actual adiré semiotic, which stands for like the path of life. And then the candles um were obviously for the brand's ninth birthday, but candles also represent like light in the way. So these prints ended up reading more like a prayer where i was asking God to light the path on whatever their heart desire was as they have helped light the path on mine. So if you look at all of them, for for example, for Femmes, he has a mic. yeah So I'm asking God to light the path towards his mic dreams, right? that We have another homegirl, um...
01:00:26
Speaker
Her name's Chelsea B. She's a brilliant crochet artist. So she got the balls of yarn. So that's the other really cool thing about the ah the aspect is everyone who received their print, they immediately understood the motif. And that's why I love studying semiotics and just symbols in general, um because you can really, you can really really ah speak to anybody through just an image. And that really came from my time in China. So I spent a summer in China a couple of years ago, i think just last year. And it was the first time I fell in love with this idea of a universal language. um And so even like, I'm kind of getting off on on a tangent, but I even wrote a silent play.
01:01:01
Speaker
wow That um I had ah ah unveiled my first Banjo collection. So the reason why call them Banjo prints is because that's my grandmother's maiden name. um And so Banjo um prints are, it's like um almost like the secondary brand that I'm going to be slowly, but even this jacket I'm wearing, Yeah, I know, yeah. It's a banjo print. um And so like, yeah, the whole idea is like, um I really want to like create, progression is for like, you know, my my black side, but at the end of the day i'm like the child of Nigerian immigrants. And so there's only so much I can do with those stories because there is a bit of that separation where it's like, I i can't fully claim that as my own, um but like, I am Nigerian, I'm Urobai, and I can claim fully as my own. And so banjo like- But you're also, you're also, you know, putting people on-
01:01:46
Speaker
on the journey that you're finding yourself too. So like, I mean, you know, I'm not really on in in touch with like my half side, which is which is Bengali. And so like, you know I've been having, you know, Bangladeshi people on and trying hear more about the culture. And so like, yeah in it because you i I believe our whole purpose on this life is to just learn who we are and you can't learn who you are if you don't know where you come from yeah and so that's really like the whole and you gotta have to have to have that that want to to yes you know because I feel like the world is meant to keep you from finding yourself 1,000% So yeah, that was kind of like the hope um and that's what i'm I'm doing with these banjo prints. um And so it was really cool to like, this I just, it was just beautiful seeing of those prints on that wall, like as a set, it was just a lot of fun. um But like- Go to the page to see it. Go to the page. I'm not putting anything that we just talked about. I'm not putting no pictures in here. You gotta you gotta interact.
01:02:49
Speaker
You gotta go see that. Please do. I was really proud of that work too. For real. ah So we're down towards the end of the podcast. It deals with a little, i got a last question deals with a little visualization. want you think back to younger you opening the box of the old loves. Now you're older you behind your younger self. What would you tell him as he opens that box?
01:03:17
Speaker
I would realistically say like, um, i don't know if this is annoying, but I wouldn't say anything. it's not annoying And the reason why I wouldn't say anything is because if I was to say anything, it would just be do exactly what you're gonna do with those. Because again, if I didn't wear those shoes down to the point that my mom was so embarrassed that she went to the store immediately and bought me a bunch of other pairs, it wouldn't have started my sneaker journey because the unfortunate slash fortunate part of like,
01:03:48
Speaker
my story that I didn't get into too much was um I was bullied a lot in grade school. um And I'm not exaggerating, it almost felt like overnight, once my mom understood that you know my kid's a good kid, so if he wants some new clothes, I'll get him new clothes. If he wants some new shoes, I'll get him some new shoes shoes. I just kept doing well in school, so my mom kept buying me clothes. And it felt like overnight I went from one of the most bullied kids in school to like people accepting me, yeah because I had nice clothes on. And so i I guess in some roundabout way, it made myself feel like if I always dressed nice, if I always was on the up and up of like, what's the newest Jordans and so on and so forth, then people would think I was cool. right um
01:04:27
Speaker
Grateful that like I didn't internalize it to the point where I started doing things for other people. But like I say all that to say, like yeah, this journey was like also started because like wearing a nice clothes made people think I was cool. So I started was like, if people think I'm cool for wearing nice clothes, just imagine how cool going to think of like, make my own clothes, you know? um But
Impact of Sneaker Experience on Life
01:04:47
Speaker
like, I would tell him like, don't, I would tell him just do what you're going plan to do with that because you don't go on this journey if you don't. But like, yeah, when I seen like that, when I knew that was going to be the question, I was super excited because I'm like, already know exactly. yeah like Like my first show like shoe story is the reason why i me and you are even talking yeah in the first place. That's facts. But let everybody know where to find you, man. Yeah, so definitely. So please, everyone can find me at, um I'm going to say Olu Originals. So O-L-U dot Originals. And then at Progression. So that's you want to check out. Yeah, I'll give people Easter egg. If you want to see like what that shoe looks like um that I designed is actually on my portfolio. And I don't widely circulate my portfolio link, but that's what it is. And then the final thing is I'll give you an Easter egg. So you were asking like, was that the name of the brand from Jump?
01:05:34
Speaker
Ask me what my um last name is. Your last name. It's Adeleke, so when I was a junior, no, yeah when I was a junior in high school, my mom shipped me and my little brother back to Nigeria. I was one of the few people that our parents actually, like really, you always get the threat, we're gonna send you back. Our parents really sent us back. um And I took Yoruba as one of my classes and I asked my Yoruba instructor, I said, hey,
01:05:57
Speaker
what's the meaning of my last name? And so she said, Adeleke roughly translates to progression with the crown. wow So the name original name of the brand is Progression with the crown. Over time that game became a mouthful. So people shortened it to progression. Check out my brand, Progression with the crown. with the crown
Gratitude and Future Developments
01:06:12
Speaker
But yeah, so like the name of the brand literally is from like my last name. The fact that my last name even means that is just like, I was born to do this. I was born for this before I even got here. And you know where to find me, who is Hassan on all social medias. Follow the podcast, My First Kicks. ah Hold on. yeah yeah of You've got of My First Kicks story. Hit me up info at myfirstkicks.com. Hit up the website, myfirstkicks.com. Check out the Patreon. going to toss it to me to plug the Patreon and do the Patreon shoutouts. ah
01:06:46
Speaker
Peace. i was going to say thank you for having me on. I so i just really wanted to emphasize how grateful I am to be on. naw man Thank you for checking out this week's episode with Olu. I hope you are super, super inspired, especially to check out his brand, Progression. i am a big fan. That's no cap.
01:07:04
Speaker
No cap. I love what he represents, how he moves within just his streetwear brand. If you ever have a chance to talk to him, he's super inspirational. And I hope you got that from this episode. He will definitely be
Creative Insights and 'What Ifs'
01:07:19
Speaker
back because I feel like we only scratched the surface, but I want to see the progression, pun intended,
01:07:26
Speaker
that happens with his brand, especially because everything that he does is always with intention. And much like this podcast, I always try to make sure I'm leading with intention and and inspiring everyone who listens to this to be intentional with their time. like During this episode, we definitely touch on and what ifs in A lot of creativity comes out of just denying the possibility of not letting something come to fruition or sitting on an idea that we kind of just kind of think that we don't believe in ourselves.
01:08:08
Speaker
And so it just gets on the back burner and it keeps sitting the back of your head until you know someone does it or you finally act on it. Because when we think about things,
01:08:21
Speaker
At the end of the day, if you won't do it, someone else will. And i hope this inspires you, this episode inspires you to kind of take a chance and try it. Because if you think about years down the road, what if you actually took that leap and did that thing that you wanted to try out, but you were like, I don't have the time for this. I don't and don't think I'm good enough to do it. Or or ah you think like, you know, maybe I'm not.
01:08:50
Speaker
the person to do it. Maybe I'll just give this idea to somebody else. Like these are things that lead to what ifs. And ah I, when I first started this podcast, I wanted to act on stop doing what ifs, because when you live in a professional state of like, Oh, what if I do more? Or what if I did this? Or what if, ah what if,
01:09:15
Speaker
it kind of like paralyzes you and it's not fair to you. It's not fair to you as a person. It's not fair to you as whatever facet of a professional that you are in. And you should definitely, of course, give yourself a grace, but you should definitely reward yourself when you take chances and you should war yourself reward yourself with being creative. And I think that is very important. I always stress that. i always say,
01:09:43
Speaker
If you have a creative bone in your body, you should definitely act on it. Don't let you know you having to pay bills stop you from scratching that itch, which is the itch I talked about in my solo episode.
Positive Influence and Brand Promotion
01:09:56
Speaker
like Make sure you scratch that itch because you never know what can happen, but you can also...
01:10:06
Speaker
take a lesson from it and you can also use what you learn in pursuing that creativity and scratching that itch and you can apply it to any other thing or you can learn a lesson and give it to somebody else for them to learn more and maybe pursue their passions and maybe push them to kind of scratch that itch for their creativity. So always make sure that you are an impact, a positive impact on people that come across you in any facets of way.
01:10:41
Speaker
So i hope, hope, hope y'all check out Progression. I hope you tap in with Olu and his other brand that he started as well that's an offshoot that is dope. He he wore a really cool jacket, the Banjo collection. I saw a little bit of it at but No, I saw a little bit of it at Streetwear Flea Market.
01:11:10
Speaker
And then I saw a little bit of it at ComplexCon, too. He's super talented. I think he's he's someone you you must keep an eye on. You
Support and Growth through Patreon
01:11:19
Speaker
can tell from his passion and his intention that he's gonna get he's going to go far.
01:11:24
Speaker
And if you're watching this, thank you for pulling up to the podcast. But um odd if you... just going to really call out that like this week I'm doing a bunch of podcasts together. this is dropping this Friday, but it, this is the beginning of the year. um just wanted to say like, you know, extremely grateful for anybody that taps it If this is your first time, if this is, you know, your hundredth and whatever time or two hundred and fifty third time,
01:12:01
Speaker
Very, very appreciative for everyone that taps in every week. it really This is something that i love doing and I want to continue doing, so please make sure you check out the Patreon because I'm trying to incentivize it a little bit more and add a little bit more. I'm going to try to do newsletters maybe once a month and on top of the episodes, the extra episodes for people who are on the Patreon, but Please make sure to sign up because it's only $5. There's only a $5 tier, and it really, really, really goes a long way.
01:12:37
Speaker
And I would love to be able to pay for all the recordings that I do and hopefully upgrade ah some things that um that can possibly make the podcast way better, you know, and and also want to just kind of get opportunities to give back to the people that tap in every week. So please, please, please tap into the Patreon. That's patreon.com slash myfirstkicks. And of course, got do Patreon shoutouts.
01:13:07
Speaker
So shoutout to Derek Hawkins. Shoutout Derek Lipkin. a Shoutout to Ross Adams. Shoutout to Adam Neustetter. Shoutout to Samaya.
01:13:19
Speaker
Shout out to Jordan Kaiser, the shooter. Shout out to Jesse, Jesse G. Shout out to Adam Butler ah of the MSR podcast. Make sure you check out that podcast.
01:13:35
Speaker
Hopefully, I'm going to be on an episode soon. got to go to D.C. and that should be a fun time. um I'm trying to get out there a lot more. Try to be on other podcasts. I got, I'm trying to,
01:13:47
Speaker
Interview people that you may not thought have been in the sneakers and also interview people that are really big in the sneakers so I am trying to get as many stories out here and Have a great time doing this so really appreciate everyone that is tapped in oh And I almost forgot shout out plox shout out plox that's the last shout out for the patreon also, you know, what's so wild In 2024, I reposted all my stories that I wanted Sango to do the intro for the podcast. And fast forward to now, 2026 of January, it's been almost two years, I have Sango doing the intro for my podcast. Like,
01:14:41
Speaker
This is extremely wild. I never thought that this would ever happen. um So you're just going to throw it out there. just yo if you have If you want to reach something, if you want to do something, you just got to put it out there. Because even before we did an episode when became friends, I never thought I'd even get a chance to talk to him. and I've been listening to his music for years, years, years, years.
01:15:09
Speaker
And so for me to get to the point that I can call him a friend now, it's wild. And for him to actually bless me with a beat for the podcast, super wild. So forever thankful.
01:15:27
Speaker
To the homie for blessing me forever thankful for the doppelgangers for giving me the first beat, which you'll hear still within the episode as well for the interstitials and stuff like that. I'm still going to use that beat, you know, it's a classic and but.
01:15:44
Speaker
Changing out the outro and the intro to be. The Sango beat that you you just heard and you're going to hear soon and so. Like I said, you want to be a person that... If you want to be a patron, don't forget, five balladeer.
01:16:01
Speaker
That's all I need. um And share this podcast with everyone. And share the Patreon with everyone, too. Because you can listen to the podcast on Patreon. You can also... Also, I will say...
01:16:16
Speaker
I do have a suggestion box if you want to see more of anything. you want to see more of a specific person or more um just a specific content or more things that you want to see within the podcast space and within podcasting, please, please, please, you have the opportunity to do so on Patreon directly with me. You can also send in emails info at myfirstkicks.com.
01:16:46
Speaker
I read all the emails.
Conclusion and Call to Action
01:16:47
Speaker
You can send in your stories there as well. And of course, if you want to check out, if you want to check out more of this podcast, you can check out these two episodes here. And if you want to subscribe to the podcast, you can check that out here as well. And of course, you know, what we say each week, wear your kicks. Peace. Peace.