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This week marked the launch of our new office and showroom space for 3sixteen: Chapter & Verse Agency. We took ownership of the space on January 1st and finished renovations in time for NY Market week a mere two weeks later. It’s where we’ve been meeting with retailers this week to show them what’s new with our brand and the ones our showroom now represents.

A few years ago, Johan and I wanted to be able to do sales and consulting work for other brands, but it didn’t seem to make sense to conduct that business under the 3sixteen name, as we are known for our clothing. Johan coined the name of the agency – Chapter & Verse – which is both a nice tie-in to our own brand’s name (3:16) as well as a phrase that refers to conducting business with great attention to detail. This year, though, marks the actual launch of the agency as a physical showroom and a business to help both established and newer brands gain market share through sales and PR work. It’s nice to see an idea finally come to (physical) fruition, and marks a new step for both Johan and me professionally.

Beyond its function as a showroom, we took this space because it’s a retail storefront and thus provides us with lots of flexibility. We envision it as being a daily hub where friends and colleagues can connect, exchange ideas, network, and enjoy really good coffee. It’ll also be the home to monthly gatherings, art/photography shows, and perhaps even a few special temporary retail events. Our first office space 5 years ago was also on Allen Street and, like this one, was a retail space. There was something special about being so accessible to friends who were in the neighborhood passing by – I’m looking forward to having this space function in a similar way.

Chapter & Verse Agency
162 Allen Street
Lower East Side, NYC
@cvagency

Two weeks ago, Davi and I spent the morning at Thomas Hooper‘s art studio shooting him for an upcoming 3sixteen Singularities piece. Here are a few things that caught my eye.

Look for the piece to debut on 3sixteen.com in early August.

Nick Grant contacted me a month ago to participate in a Complex article entitled “How To Make It: 10 Rules For Success From Fashion Industry Insiders.” While I feel there are plenty of people who are just as (if not more) qualified than me to share these kinds of tips, I enjoyed writing my response because it gave me the opportunity to look back on all the crazy things that have happened in 3sixteen’s history and what I’ve learned along the way.

I don’t agree with all the advice given in the piece, but that’s ok – the fact that information and advice is being shared to help build up the next generation is fantastic, because when I was getting started none of this stuff was available. Blogs and other social media platforms over the past few years have allowed aspiring designers unprecedented direct access to their favorite brands, and while some of that access results in consuming mindless drivel (I’ve contributed my fair share), there are important pieces of information and advice being given – and that is definitely a good thing in my book.  That being said, I still feel that as much as the internet can provide, personal relationships with people you respect will yield much greater learning opportunities. You can’t just read a bunch of pieces online and be ready to take the plunge; that’s why I encourage people to seek out internships so they can immerse themselves in all aspects of their passion – not just the exciting, attractive parts that the internet shows off – firsthand.

My good friend Sarah approached me a few months ago to see if I’d be interested in working on a piece for Antenna Magazine‘s Winter 2011 issue. I’ve never had any of my writing published before so I was excited for the opportunity; plus, the concept sounded like a lot of fun. The piece compares 24 hours in the day of a dad (me) versus a single man, and my updates were limited to 25 words or less per hour.  I received a copy in the mail this week and finally got to see the completed piece. It’s on newsstands now, but I also scanned it for your reading pleasure. Many thanks to Sarah and Kaity for including me.

I really enjoyed working on this this for several reasons. Firstly, it was fun to compare my life to someone’s who is in such a different place. I didn’t get to read his half until I got the final issue, and while his blurbs didn’t exactly bring back fond memories of licentiousness I do vaguely remember what it was like to be able to come and go as I pleased. My life really does look a lot different now, and it’s especially clear when you see our hourly activities side by side.

Secondly, I’m thankful to have some sort of documentation of what things were like during our first year with Logan. 2011 has brought so many changes for our family and for my work; I’ve had to learn how to handle more responsibilities and get things done in less time. It’ll serve as a good reminder as to how God has provided for us and helped me to make the necessary adjustments along the way.

Lastly, in reading the final piece over, I realized that despite the challenges that come with juggling a company, a retail store, marriage and fatherhood, I really am having a good time. I ran into an acquaintance who works at Antenna while visiting Sarah who told me, “man, I wouldn’t want to be you.” It reminded me of when I got engaged and several coworkers told me in jest that I was going to be miserable. Marriage has been good to me, and becoming a father has been an amazing experience. I won’t lie – there are occasions when I wish I had more time and less responsibilities, but those are fleeting thoughts.

I’m too busy having fun with my wife and kid.