Interview with DJ Mattmatics of Dope Show Clothing

Illustration "Illusography" by DJ Mattmatics

JJ Casas of jC Photography/Illusography interviews DJ Mattmatics of Dope Show Clothing and finds out the details on this upcoming line of clothing that should appeal to the Bay Area masses.

illusography: What makes this clothing brand different from all the other Bay Area clothing out there?

DJ Mattmatics: The only thing different are the people who are on it. The people on the design... are all people who don't follow the same trend. We are trend-leavers. We go on the Marilyn Manson idea--we feed on everyone's fantasies and fear. That's what we're going to do with Dope Show. Certain things might piss you off, but it's still good.

ill: Tell me more of Dope Show Clothing. Where does the name come from and who's the clothing for?

DJM: Idea of the name comes from the idea of opening a world--a realm. It started out like a show--there are theme shirts, some scary things, a lil happy; but Dope Show is the eye for another place that is suppose to exist. Right now, simple t-shirts are underway to put the name out and later on we'll drop some heavy designs.

ill: What made you make this clothing line?

DJM: Im suppose to go FIDM; I've always wanted to make a clothing line. This clothing line feels right and I'm jumping on it now. I've felt that I've had this concept since high school but I feel that now is the time. I feel like I'm about to catch a fat ass wave and jump on it. The thing that's keeping me on is this concept and the connections I've made right now to take this wave. I have to take this plunge.

ill: Is your clothing line influenced by the Bay Area?

DJM: Yea I guess it is because when you think of the Bay, it is such a diverse area. This line will feed the Hyphy movement, the Rock, the Goth and the softer side--the lover side and all that. I want this clothing line to reflect the diversity. Bay Area is bigger than the Hyphy movement.

ill: You work for a media company. Tell me how working in different areas and scenes has influenced you to create a clothing line.

DJM: In the company that I work in, it helped me a lot in creating this. I've been with them before they were actually a company. I've put my blood and sweat into their company and it has helped me grow to a person. I'm also in the music industry and it's open my eyes to a lot of things. Rappers are wearing something--these t-shirts. I'm seeing a lot of different shirts and it's like "Shit, I can do that." I'm seeing it everyday. That's what helps me grounded--seeing things everyday.

ill: You said "I can do that." What can we expect from this clothing line so that it won't be a copycat?

DJM: I dont know how I can put it in words but all I need is people to see it. I show Apol stuff all the time and if he flips out, I'll put it out. I guess people will have to check it out. But there will be something for everyone. There's always going to be a new genre from Dope Show.

ill: Give me a date when it's out.

DJM: Late Spring 2007, early Fall 2007.

ill: How about costs.

DJM: It'll depend on type of shirts. We are going to push a regular line of shirts for $50. We are pushing for limited edition shirts--called Certain Collections--only 151 prints will be printed. The product packaging is all part of the cost--they'll be in collector's boxes.

ill: Where can we find more info on this clothing?

DJM: The only spot you can find info for now is Illusography.com