Mixed Media:Cologe Denim

I met Matt Burney, Owner of Cologe Denim in Delware at a music event. He was on his grind, table in the front of the venue, right by the door, first thing to catch your eyes. Better than the placement were his designs, a clear display he's an artist. With apparel as his canvas, Matt takes pieces of rap, street and pop art, and creates amazing collages for the cool kids.

He's got something for the guys and girls, so check his site and get you something. I definetly copped the dyed full print razor back tee, look out for the style post coming soon on how I rocked it. It's hands down one of my favorite tee's this season. It'll be yours too. This young man, is on a mission, I saw the drive in his eyes , and the art on his shirt. All the proof I need.

HH:Tell us how you took Cologone Denim from a dream to a reality ? When did you orginally decide to do a clothing line?

MB:I decided that I wanted to start my own clothing brand when I was 12 years old. I always wanted my own brand so years later, in early 2007, I concepted the idea to start Cologe based off my favorite styles of art which include Collage, Pop Art, and Grafitti.

HH:When desiging , what do you find seems to be a repetivie influence?

MB: We'll my designs are influenced by collages, so I always tend to layer different elements such as news paper scraps, shapes, and images of people from pop culture.

HH:You also screen print, how did you learn this ?

MB: I was intrduced to screen printing in highschool by my art teacher. Its funny because before that, I was using heat transfers (Iron ons) and I had a silk screen sitting in my bedroom that I never used

because I didnt know how it worked. Once I learned, I fell in love with the process. I choose this method because its propably the most professional and proficient way to print art work on clothing.

HH:What's you favorite part of owning your own company?

MB:My favorite part of owning my own company is that I get paid for what I love to do.

HH:When it comes to running your own clothing line, what would you say is your most valuable advice?

MB:If you want to start your own brand, make sure its something that you truly want to do, have a dope concept behind the brand, surround yourself with loyal people that take interest in the brand as much as you do. Most importantly, learn to MANAGE and SAVE YOUR MONEY! You'll thank me later.

HH:Where do you hope to grow Cologne Denim?

MB:In the next 2 years I see my brand featured in several major retail department stores, grossing $50,000+ annually, and possibly opening my first store front.