Plush .357 is an emerging novelty graphic art inspired label from Atlanta, GA. Recently winning the "City's Most Loved Designer" award, Plush .357 has steadily gained a following, being worn by the likes of OutKast's Big Boi, Eva Pigford, rap group Little Brother, Chingy, and Nivea. In preparation for a cross-country label tour and tons of new designs, CEO and Creative Director of Plush .357, Corey Davis, took the time to answer some questions about the emerging label and Plush .357's plans for the future.
What is your earliest memory of being inspired by art and fashion?
I've been making art my whole life, and I've always had a passion for painting and illustration. My earliest memories are of tracing Street Fighter characters off the TV screen as a kid. In kindergarten all I did was draw sneakers, and in grade school I'd design all types of Nike concepts (I wish I could find some of those drawings now!). I didn't start coming up with designs for t-shirts until my freshman year of high school, when I created kind of a corny line called Krown, where I put my comic characters on shirts. I'd even use micron pens to draw on shirts. I'd wear them to school and show the sketches to my friends, and before I knew it I was doing custom t-shirts for everyone. All types of stuff -- R.I.P. shirts, cartoon characters, names, neighborhoods, typical kid stuff.
What kinds of inspiration do you take from everyday life that come through in your designs?
Really, I get inspired by whatever catches my attention. It's weird -- I can be inspired by something as small and simple as seeing a spider eating a butterfly (which actually happened the other day)... Or something on a larger scale like a new skyscraper with some crazy architecture. Most of my work is about what's going on in the subconscious, and there is always a lot on my mind, so its hard to say what/where my ideas come from directly. A majority of my inspiration comes from conversations with my friends and family. Every time I learn something new I get an idea to run with.
How do you feel about the attention that Plush .357 is getting, and what other celebrities would you love to see your clothing on?
The attention we get is great, and it continues to grow everyday! We've pretty much become a household name in Georgia, and we receive orders online everyday from all over the country. It's pretty exciting. Right now we're planning the tour we're taking in late August to promote the line. Key locations include D.C, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, and finally Las Vegas for the Magic Show.
What sets Plush .357 apart from other streetwear labels?
We don't really like to consider ourselves as a 'streetwear label'. We try make our shirts into a novelty or a collectors item by printing them in limited quantities and packaging them in our Plush moneybags. We don't pay too much attention to trends or what the other labels are doing, we just kinda do what we feel. But ultimately people buy our shirts for the subliminal awkwardness of our designs.
Do you/have you collaborated with other artists or designers on your shirts?
Brandon Sadler, a local artist here in Atlanta, will be the first artist feature for a series coming out in the Fall. He's originally a graffiti artist, but his illustration and painting skills are phenomenal. My homie, James Daniel is releasing this crazy Sushi series, and we're also working on limited edition collaboration shirts with Dosa Kim and Err-or, a line out of Taiwan that uses bamboo cotton. I have my first complete series I'll be releasing next month called Candy Coated Decay, created from some of my pen & ink characters I made.
What are your favorite and least favorite trends in fashion right now?
I dont really think I have a favorite, I fucking hate trends. Once something gets too big or popular I really have to leave it alone. I don't know what it is. I like tattoos, especially chicks with tattoos, but I'm really getting tired of this 'I wanna be a rocker' shit, skulls on shirts and chain wallets. Military jackets. The whole 80's thing is getting a little played out, too.
What's in the works for you guys for the rest of the year?
We have a big 'First Day of School Fresh Sale' in the beginning of August along with Georgia's tax free weekend at the Plush .357 Flagship Store. We will be releasing an album with all of our favorite songs called 'Trigger Happiness' next month, along with the Candy Coated Decay series. And, of course, we'll be touring the country at the end of the summer!
For more info, check out www.plush357.com.
YESS!!! GO Corey Davis and Plush .357!! So proud you all!!!!
-milah.b
