Jodye's Perihelion: No Killin'

I met with Bravo Wrldwide's founder of the same name after the first night of All-Star Weekend hosted in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The designer sits across from me after coming down from a moment of exhilaration following a performance by weekend headliner, Gunna--who spent his last 5 minutes performing in a Bravo scarf spontaneously gifted by a fan--making for one of Bravo's biggest design placements thus far. A huge feat for a designer who's first release came only a year ago. Though, Bravo Wrldwide possesses an aura of chic ruggedness that can not be boxed into streetwear alone. The young designer assures the world that he's the one to watch in few, but powerful words during our conversation below:

S: What is your name?

J: Anthony Jodye Bravo.

S: How old are you?

J: I’m 21.

via @astigmatizedview

S: Where are you from?

J: I’m from Cleveland, Ohio. 105 and Hathaway.

S: What is the significance of the name "Bravo Wrldwide" ?

J: Shit, it’s a big significance for real. As cliche as it sounds, it's really bigger than me for real. The history behind the name Bravo and the people attached to the name is the reason I go so hard behind it free the real and R.I.P. to a real one.

S: When did you know you wanted to be a designer?

J: I think it’s a difference in being a designer and just making clothes. Wanting to be a designer is something that came to me rather recently. Making clothes? That’s been in me since I was about twelve, no cap. My granny taught me how to sew and it’s been up ever since then.

via @chrisheaux

S: What was the first piece you ever made?

J: Some sweatpants. They were some big ass 2x sweatpants and I tapered them down to my size. *laughs* They was my dad’s shits.

S: How has your hometown inspire you as a designer?

J: It showed me I could do whatever I want, for real. Coming from the hood and being the only nigga dressing different niggas always thought I was weird or assumed my sexuality. Then a few years ago it just switched up—niggas started asking me for clothes, help them put outfits together and everything in between. Same niggas that was trying to play me crazy. So it just showed me I could do whatever, people’s perception is always changing so I just be me and see where it takes me.

S: What has been the design you are most proud of?

J: So far, that mural piece! *laughs* sick shit I swear.

via @delvintroy

S: Who is your favorite designer ?

J: Maison Margiela for sure. But also, Rei Kawakubo—founder of Commerce Dęs Garcon--because they did what they wanted.

S: What has been your most challenging piece to bring to life ?

Designer Rei Kawakubo

J: This flower jacket I’m working on at the moment. It’s my first hands on experience I’m releasing, I’m hand sewing it and all. I gotta get the patterns for it, the fabric, everything. [As of February 18th] I’ve been working on it about three to four weeks. I’m excited and anxious about it all the same.

S: Who is someone you haven’t seen in Bravo but would like to see in it?

J: Nast. ASAP Nast for sure. *laughs* But seeing Gunna in it was crazy though.

Gunna via my iPhone

S: What is your sign?

J: Scorpio

S: What traits do you display from that sign?

J: Shit we be real stern, we fuck with something we standing on it for sure.

S: If you had to describe your brand in three words what would it be?

J: Three words? Hmm, “Unknowing”. “Chaotic”—because everything a little all over the place right now. But even though it’s chaotic and unknowing, the last word I’d use is “Smooth”—my shit is definitely smooth and that’s the best word for it as a whole.

via @bravohelp

S: What is your favorite article of clothing to wear personally?

J: My 950s for sure.

S: What’s next for your brand?

J: A lot more hands on. hand sewn, cut and sew work. I’m giving myself more time and patience with the brand, I’m still in the learning stage even though its been moving. I want the gravity of Bravo to be so great that I’m giving myself as much time as I need to produce quality work.

S: What would your ideal bravo shoot look like with an unlimited budget? Who would be apart of it? What would they wearing and where would it be set?

via @fashoaaron

J: Its this place in Alaska that’s a full iced dome similar to the movie Ice Age. I would like to showcase a winter collection there; lots of coats, sweaters, things of that nature. I know lots of themes for Fall/Winter shows is typically white or blue, but I’d want mine to be black. I’d definitely want my niggas in it, Tabitha Edmonds, and a few others.

via Bravo personal files

S: Are there any other creative avenues you would like to take outside of fashion ?

J: Hell yeah. Home goods, furniture, architecture, interior design—many things that fall under that umbrella. I’m actually working on some furniture right now, I’ve got someone drawing it up.

S: Who or what keeps you motivated?

J: My people, literally my family.

via @jersey.drip

S: What does the creative process look like for you? Do you prefer inspiration to find you or do you set a time set aside time to work?

J: Honestly I can’t even give a straight answer, it’s so random! I could either find inspiration and I just be searching with no answer—then it just comes to me when I’m no longer looking. But it also comes from my niggas, for real. Everybody around me going crazy, it’s hard not to be inspired. Of course I get down, but if everybody around you pushing and being creative how could you not?

S: What does a week in your life look like?

via @miseanok

J: Doing drop offs, making some clothes, smoking, bowling. *laughs*. I was on the bowling team in high school, not even my own.

S: If the world was yours for a month what would it look like ?

J: Calm. That’s it. Niggas need a month to just chill no killin' just chillin'.