Streetwear Spotlight: ARKA Clothing

Article written by: SoJones Asmara
Posted on: September 3, 2009

SoJones.com got a hold of a new apparel line, ARKA Clothing.  Established in 2009 by trio Shant Der Ashodian, Burag Celikian, and Sevan Aliksanian, The Tarzana, California-based company got its name from an Armenian word which means “to be the king of all kings”, as they feel that everybody has a leader within and can contribute to the beauty of today’s world.  Just how much are they contributing to the streetwear world?  SoJones.com sits down with Shant Der Ashodian, owner of ARKA Clothing and gets the lowdown on the up and coming clothing line.

Introduce yourself and please describe how your brand was started? And what’s the story behind the non-toxic inks you use for your products?

We are three friends who grew up together in Los Angeles. Being in such a big city, with so much diversity, we have always been exposed to a variety fashion, music and artwork. We decided two years ago that we wanted to display our artwork on T-shirts because people love to express their thoughts and ideas through the clothing they wear. We intend on having bold and thoughtful designs. The non toxic (non-formaldahyde) inks we use were due to the fact that we recognize the current global situation. Even though we are just one company, we want to make others realize that with minimal effort, they can make a difference for a better future.

What are your main inspirations?

All three partners were born in different parts of the world. Not only have we exposed to the LA culture but also what we see at home. It was only natural for us to blend ideas and concepts in order to make our message clear to anyone who sees it no matter what their background.

What celeb or well-known figure(s) exemplify the brand?

We feel that somebody like Mos Def exemplifies our brand. From his first album, Black on both sides, to his latest, Ecstatic, he has always stayed true to his style. He always thought provoking lyrics and the style to go along with it. He never compromised what he stood for. We were intend on have eye-catching, bold designs, but we wanted to make them relevant with a clever message. Also we did not want to sacrifice the quality of our shirts. We made sure to use preshrunk premium 100% cotton shirts.

Any product placements on celebs, in movies or videos to keep an eye out for?

Currently we are featured in an indie movie “The Rise and Fall of Armando Venezuela”, a very funny mockumentary. We got the attention of the film director, and he wanted to use our shirts in his movie.

Any expansion plans?

We want to expand our line with hoodies, jackets, and of course, more graphic tees.

Looking ahead over the next year or two, what themes/looks/styles do you see your brand gravitating to?

With our first line, we focused mainly on T-shirts for everyday casual wear. We want to help urban wear evolve into a fashionable night time attire in order to be versatile.

What themes/looks/styles do you see your brand moving away from?

As much as we enjoy using bold concepts and style, we still want to maintain a classic style that somebody would appreciate years from now. Our goal is to have longevity.

ARKA Clothing line is retailed for $29.99 for the classic ARKAmedes classic logo tee and $39.99 for the rest of the t-shirt collection.  Featured below are the What’s On Your Mind tee, Doves in The Chamber tee and Purple Octopus tee.  Visit www.arkaclothing.com to get the awesomeness.