The Bronx-based streetwear brand, FAMOUS NOBODYS, has just made its way into Foot Locker with an “exclusive to New York apparel line.”
The partnership of both brands was revealed in May and marked by a special celebration to welcome FAMOUS NOBODYS onto the shelves of the billion-dollar sports and footwear retailer.
The Home Grown collection features shorts, statement hoodies, hoop joggers, T-shirts, snapbacks, and more. And the collection strives to “bring the grunge-inspired feel of NY culture to streetwear.”
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The brand’s co-founder, Christian Vazquez, spoke with BlavityU to discuss the inspiration behind the brand’s slogan, how it has already catalyzed economic growth within its Bronx neighborhood and what Vazquez hopes to see as the brand grows in the upcoming seven years.
Co-founded in 2015 by Christian Vazquez and Gary Gonzalez, FAMOUS NOBODYS is an apparel brand that “speaks to the anti-celebrity in the digital age, with gear that serves as a complementary cloak” to their viral anonymity.
Yes, the brand is quite paradoxical in slogan – but that’s what makes it genius. In a day and age where anyone can reach the heights of fame, FAMOUS NOBODYS reminds us all of our humility.
“FAMOUS NOBODYS is about empowerment. In this day and age, with social media, everybody has their own following,” he shared. “We wanted to take the word ‘nobodies,’ which has always been somewhat of a derogatory term and turn it into something powerful and empowering.”
“Our slogan is ‘We the people are all nobodies’ because it [represents] us of all coming together, uplifting and empowering each other,” he shared.
FAMOUS NOBODYS has its own retail location nestled right in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. When asked why it was so important for the founders to settle in that neighborhood specifically, one that is traditionally known as very low-income, Vazquez reveals that the decision was simple.
“We chose the Bronx because it’s one of the few underserved communities of New York. It’s like the last authentic neighborhood in New York – a lot of them are still in the Bronx,” he shared. “We were one of the first [retail spaces] on our block. We’ve had the store for about five and a half years now. And if you come over there now, there’s a sushi restaurant, there’s a BBQ spot, there’s a bookstore, there’s a deli, there’s a beautiful tattoo parlor.”
“And it was beautiful because we were a part of the beginning of the blossoming of the neighborhood. And bringing that feeling back to the Bronx,” he shared. “We wanted to make our store synonymous with the Bronx and give the Bronx something to be proud of.”
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And the FAMOUS NOBODYS retail location has certainly done just that.
Vazquez also shared that the store features its own embroidery machine, and store owners and workers from around the area come in regularly to get their items embellished.
While Vazquez acknowledges that the current work, and presence, of FAMOUS NOBODYS is definitely serving as a economic and sociopolitical change in the Mott Haven neighborhood and beyond, he also hopes that the brand’s success is inspiring a younger generation of designers and entrepreneurs.
“I hope it inspires people. A lot of people are scared to step out there, take chances, and do different things. But we opened, we survived the pandemic, we’re flourishing,” he shared. “I just think a lot of people talk themselves out of their dreams too much. And [we have to remember] that everything’s scary but you just have to jump out there sometimes.”
Vazquez is no stranger to the abundance that the world has to offer when jumping out on faith. He has seventeen years of design experience, he’s worked alongside huge names in the entertainment industry, such as The Game and French Montana. And he’s even worked alongside his sister, Lala Anthony, in support of her business endeavors.
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When asked what he believes is the biggest lesson he’s learned from his experiences, he shares that it’s to treat everyone with kindness and respect.
“Treat everyone like they’re the king of the world. Treat the janitor like the CEO,” he shared. “A lot of people fail to realize how important relationships are, maintaining them, and building people up.”
“People think they only have to be nice to the top dog. But what you learn as you grow in the industry, is that the person who’s one day an intern can be running the show pretty soon,” he shared. “And those people will always remember how you treated them. That comes full circle.”
“I’ve been able to grasp a lot of opportunities from the strength of relationships that I’ve grown over the years,” he shared.
Foot Locker launched Home Grown as a means to connect the brand “with its communities and introduce local designers from across the nation to consumers.” Vazquez shared that this was the perfect opportunity to really put on for New York, and showcase the city’s street style.
“We wanted to put something together that felt like New York. So we flipped ‘NOBODYS’ and gave it a grunge-feel, and distressed the logo somewhat,” he shared. “And New York natives love to rock matching sets so we wanted to give them three different options – long sleeve T’s, sweatshorts. Things that they can easily throw on together, add some white Air Force 1’s and be on their way.”
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In an interview with Andscape, Vazquez revealed that he loves to release “pieces that are relevant to the time” and “what’s going on right now with the culture.” When asked what social issue he would address if he was asked to design a T-shirt on the fly, he decided on inflation.
And revealed that this is actually an upcoming collection that is in progress for FAMOUS NOBODYS.
“Last week I was doing a photoshoot in Atlanta – I like to shoot in urban areas because I love the texture it offers in the scenery for pictures,” he shared. “And a homeless man walked up to me, and he said a quote which actually inspired the inflation piece.”
Vazquez says that interaction is the perfect example of FAMOUS NOBODYS ability “tap into the neighborhood and the people around it” for inspiration and to give a voice to those who need it.
“That’s another example of the importance of being a good person and being nice to people,” he shared. “If I wasn’t open to having a conversation with this man, I wouldn’t have received the inspiration that I needed to work on this T-shirt that we’re creating now.”
While FAMOUS NOBODYS brings about a message of humility and commonality, there’s no denying that some pretty notable suitors have sported the brand. Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Megan Thee Stallion, Ludacris, MoneyBagg Yo, Jeezy and plenty more celebrities have all sported pieces from the brand.
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When asked what Vazquez hopes to see as the brand moves into its next years of business, he shares that he hopes to see the brand “spread worldwide.”
“There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you’re out somewhere and you see somebody wearing a piece that you designed,” he shared. “I would just love to see my brand going everywhere and being accessible to everyone.”
“We wanted to make clothing that’s fresh and fly – something you’ll feel good wearing. Without charging people outlandish prices. It’s like an affordable luxury,” he shared. “My dream is to see everyone in it, and to see younger kids not thinking that they have to buy $500 jeans or $500 shirts to be cool.”
