Here we present an insightful Q&A with the Founder and Creative Director of
Oh Man! Clothing, Nam Ho.
"When you walk into the scene, you aren’t afraid of being in the spotlight and getting everybody’s attention. Whether you’re a trendsetter, a jet-setter, or uncategorized, you know that your outfit is just as important as anything else in your presentation."
Ho discusses his inspirations, accomplishments and gives some useful advice to aspiring designers and young entrepreneurs alike.
Why did you decide to start a clothing line?
NH: When I was a junior is high school, I landed a finance internship for the summer at one of the corporate companies in my hometown, San Jose. Everyday, I slaved away in a 10’x10’ cubicle from 8am-5pm and hated the work that I was doing. Before that job, I thought that being a successful adult meant having a lucrative career even if you hated your job—not true at all. Going through an entire summer of corporate life made me realize that I wanted to do something creative for the rest of my life.
What does fashion mean to you?
NH: Fashion is an expression of the self. What you wear can say a lot about you and how you’re feeling. To me, fashion goes beyond just tees and jeans. Hair, accessories, and cologne, or perfume for ladies are all different aspects of how someone presents him or herself.
Who or what are your biggest inspirations?
NH: Back in high school, I used to do a lot of graffiti and translated that into spray painting a lot of tees for my friends and classmates. At the time, Shepard Fairey of Obey was really coming up in the graffiti world with his whole Obey Propaganda campaign. Eventually, his worldwide exposure led him to turn his art into a clothing company. When I saw that this was possible, it really inspired me to do the same.
What was the first piece you've ever designed?
NH: The first piece I ever made was a full body print that said “Never Forget Your Roots”. In 8th grade, my mentor, Mr. Stevenson, said that to me as I was about to graduate from middle school. He told me that no matter where I go in life, it was important to remember all the experiences that built me as a person whether good or bad. That saying really engrained itself into my mind and ended up being the inspiration for the first Oh Man! shirt to ever.
What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?
NH: Honestly, everyday that Oh Man! is up and running is an accomplishment for me. It means that people are reacting to my art and are liking what I put out. Other than that, I don’t really like to get caught up in “counting the medals”, because I don’t want to limit myself to the things that I have already done. Rather, I just want to keep looking forward and keep doing new things.
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