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Introducing another pillar of the Akomplice Crew, Jonny Quan aka The Mohol. JQ is a native of the West Coast and fits the scene so perfectly to earn the title The Mohol. The mohol is a primate native of southern Africa that if taken from its natural habitat, legend has it, will make all efforts to end its life. Point being, John Quan van Dam can escape the west, but the west can never escape him. This man handles the company’s distribution sector, so if you’ve purchased out gear in a brick-and-mortar location, you can thank this man for having ensured it got there safely. Even in the most intense portions of the shipping season you can catch JQ with a calm, cool composure and stress free demeanor. Never seeming to be in a rush this dude smashes through huge amounts of material with the quickness.

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Q: Tell us how you ended up being part of the Akomplice team? Tell us how it all came about.

A: I started interning for Akomplice about a year after graduating from UCSB. I was always into street wear, but never thought about working for a clothing company because during school I was headed down a totally different path. Santa Barbara is a small city and jobs are scarce, so when this opportunity presented itself there was no doubt in my mind it was meant to be. I had no knowledge about the industry whatsoever, so in the 2.5 months I interned I learned a lot. I started managing our flagship store then moved into managing the distribution and the rest is history.

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Q: As a buyer for the Akomplice x Fuzion flagship store, you’ve got to stay on top of the fashion game. How do you stay up on new trends and styles? How do you decide on what’s hot and what’s not?

A: I don’t have time to read fashion blogs, I don’t have cable, and fashion changes so frequently that it’s almost impossible for me to keep up with the trends, so to be honest I just flip through the catalogs and buy what I like.

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Q: We all know you love fashion, but what are a few other things that you like to do?

A: I’m down with any outdoor activity

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Q: Do you think an all over print of your face on a 5-panel snapback would be a top seller?

A: Haha, hell no! But if blended with the Mohol Monkey, I think we’d have a heater.

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Q: What’s your favorite piece of Akomplice of all time?

A: That’s a tough question, but if I had to choose I think I’d go with View of the World and Pyramid Scheme for classic graphics and the Magic Plant Cammarono jacket for cut-and-sew.

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Q: If you could have Akomplice collab with anybody / anything in the world, what would it be?

A: J. Cole, Stephen Curry, and Victoria’s Secret.

“By purchasing these tees you are directly supporting the place and people you see in these pictures.”  – Patrick Liberty

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THE STORY

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Mike Akomplice tells the story of how this project came about.

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“Without rules, without time, without comforts, and solo. This was my trip to Brazil, starting from the far Northern city of Belem, wedged on the mouth of the Amazonian river. I traveled by foot, car and plane, eventually finding myself on an island in South Brazil named Florianopolis. Instantly greeted by new cool people and even a mother and father of which I now consider my own. I found myself effortlessly meeting amazing individuals and instantly joining and creating projects and ideas as a collective. Today Akomplice announces it’s first major project as a result, which I’ve dubbed Unite & Aid.”

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THE FACTS

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Our latest endeavor is one of transcontinental collaborative philanthropy in the form of a T-Shirt collection produced in conjunction with Brazilian company Aesthetic. Despite being from two different continents, our two companies are coming together and donating 100% of profits to a common cause, the MOI Platform. This global initiative’s objective is to raise scholarship money for the children of Empada, Guinea-Bissau, Africa to attend university.

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Brazilian photographer Philippe Pessoa captured poignant photos of the children of Empada on a trip he took to the rural town, which inspired the series. We are proud to add this project to our collection of philanthropic efforts. Other projects include our Blue Gold, Good Wood Aid Africa, Support Japan, 11th Hour Warner Brothers, and Fred Segal Paint Project. This time the endeavor is based on the belief that education is the most efficient way of initiating change within communities. The hope of the collaboration is to create long-term growth and development through investment in the youth. These shirts are available worldwide, and at our Webstore.

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“Without change, there is no progress.”

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True to the Aries character as the first sign in the zodiac, this shoe breaks new ground by holding distinction as the first FILA to ever incorporate hemp. The shoe’s hemp construction was more than an aesthetic choice, it was selected to draw attention to the material as a sustainable and durable alternative to other fabrics. The apparel industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, and this is the underlying message behind the material choice. The red detailing through the sole, heel and tongue as well as the Greek letters and numbers on the back are all nods to the astrological sign. The official Aries symbol, the ram, is illustrated in detail on the insole and as a subtle symbol at the midsole. Even the photo shoot incorporates fire, another Aries trait.

The shoe originally saw a limited release of 45 pairs for FILA in 2018, and is back for another 45 pair run to coincide with the Aries season (March 21st – April 19th). Unlike a typical sneaker drop, the only way to secure a pair is to present a photo I.D. proving you were born during the Aries period. Alternatively, you can try your luck making the case for why you deserve one of the coveted pairs. This alternative release method is being employed to ensure that the shoes make it to the feet of the passionate.

The shoe is now open for submissions on our Webstore.

Photos Shot By: Michael DiFranco-McCarney
Photos Edited By: Beth Saravo

Note: Fire & Smoke captured in photos is real and not photoshopped.

WHY HEMP MATTERS

@HerFavColor

Check out Akomplice homie Blu on tour when he comes through town. He is also doing a Solution Showcase in Denver on 4/22, with DJ Low Key. Get familiar.

-Danny G

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