King of Poets & Thieves
AP: How did you become Poets and Thieves?
PT: I have worked in fashion off and on from London (UK) to Toronto (Canada) since the late 80's. In 2005 I was visiting some friends in Brooklyn and was wearing a shirt I did to help promote a book I was working on. The Shirt had Poets & Thieves on it. I found that a number of people started to comment on the shirt. Enough people were asking so I just said, it was my new clothing line. Went home built a complete collection and put it out there. The first collection went into Union NY, Union LA, Grey One Cali, a number of shops in Japan, a number in England and Europe etc... magazines started to write up on the line. It was very amazing. People I've had big respect started contacting me about the brand and started to support the clothes. Ever since the brand has been growing and cultivating its direction. Poets & Thieves is a reflection on life. Everyone knows a Poet and a Thief. A Poet can win your heart just as much as a Thief can steal it.
Daymon Green NYC (Detroit Fires Tee) sales for the world
AP: Where does this post-street movement go from here?
PT: Poets & Thieves has been working on building a history, working with elements that give something back to the culture. That provide a history that can be fresh with todays present trailblazing.
Stephen George, poetic partner
AP: What is your background and how has it translated in your design today?
PT: My background is writing, film and fashion. I started in all three as far back as a teenager. The writing helps form the narrative for the brand, the film supports the passion of the line, and the fashion provides the style for the collection. The one part I've left out of these three influences is, music. I've never written or created music, that is the strongest piece that we love and respect which helps Poets & Thieves . Music of all sorts is the humble and nobility of life. Music is in the way we breath, the way we walk, our choice of song shapes a lot of how we think and act. To some, it is what shapes our existence.
AP: What are your influences?
PT: When it comes to influences, those can be found every time we open our eyes. Fashion is a passion; music, girls, books, newspapers, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dogs, movies, posters, tobacco, cold beer, fabric, old cars, vintage motorcycles, skateboards, bicycles, night, day, morning. cameras, turntables, tape decks, vinyl, tape, cd, mp3, vhs, dvd, art, charcoal, pencils, magazines, wool, cotton, silk, zippers, buttons, hats, sunshine, night time, sun, moonlight, pens, typewriters, computers, film, pit bulls, rottweilers, family, kids, nieces, nephews, sleep, clothes, etc.. Just a glimpse. Hope you dig and Stay Strong.
Check out the Pinch video below.
All videos can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/Frontline09
Be sure to check out more of Poets & Thieves work in their gallery here.