Q1: Hi Craig, good talking to you. I think it's safe to say that most people reading our site either know many of the products you are involved with or actually own some of them. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Craig: CEO of CYC design corporation.
Q2: There are so many topics we would want to discuss with you, from being the producer of some of the most thought after Supreme or Alife products, to your own clothing lines such as Wings & Horns. But today we want to concentrate on another line of yours - Reigning Champ. Please tell us where the name comes from?
Reigning Champ basically speaks for itself. We want to be the top dog of sweats so we picked a name that we will have to live up to. It’s like the athlete that is constantly refining his game to maintain or attain top position.
Q3: In Europe Reigning Champ will debut this coming Fall. We have seen the products live and as simple as they are, we were impressed. Please tell us what the idea behind the line is?
Quality, design, fit and details only a discerning eye can recognize. Clever simplicity is key for us. We want our customers to have something they will enjoy for years.
Q4: Who do you want to target with the line? Is there even a specific target group, considering that the collections stay so simplistic?
We are targeting a more educated customer that can recognize these elements.
Q5: One might say, it's just a blank hoodie or crewneck sweater. But everybody, including ourselves, that has seen the collection, who has tried it on was simply impressed by the fit, the material, the overall product. How can you explain that? What makes Reigning Champs special?
Reigning Champ didn’t happen overnight. This has been a 10 year process of fabric R&D and constant refining of fit and construction details. We hope this is evident in our line.
Q6: The first Reigning Champ collection will get into stores Fall 2007. Please give us some background on this first drop.
Details in this particular series are influenced by boxing and baseball. The solid color series, something we felt the king himself Muhammad Ali would wear for training, is made from our signature 25oz heavy weight fleece with brass eyelets for vents and #10 brass 2 way zippers. For the striped series we customized our signature 25oz fleece with a throwback baseball pinstripe. The whole series receives new hidden front pockets for a cleaner look. We prewash all of our garments so you actually get what you see. Reinforced bartacks throughout is always the perfect finishing touch.
Q7: Of course our readers want to know where they will be able to find the Reigning Champ line. What kind of stores are you targeting with the brand?
Right now it is pretty limited but it can be found in the US in stores such as Union LA/NY, Huf in SF and the boys at Livestock in Canada really stepped up to represent. We will sell to stores that can appreciate what our product is.
Q8: What are your future plans with Reigning Champ? Will the collection grow, or will it always stay small and focussed on key pieces?
We plan to grow the brand but slowly. It is hard to grow the brands we are involved in due to the fact that so much of what we do is customized. We have a lot of ideas but they don’t always make it to the floor if any of our criteria is compromised.
Q9: That's it already. Thanks a lot for the Interview and hopefully we can talk in the near future more in-depth about your various other ventures!
Thanks David for taking the time to speak.
Reigning Champ will be available worldwide as of this coming Fall in selected accounts. In Europe you will be able to find the collection at: WoodWood, Starcow, Caliroots, Patta and other top accounts.
