Streetwear Spotlight: Bolt Cutter

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: December 2, 2009

Doodle much?  It’s not a bad habit if you know how to turn it into something inspiring.  Take Dan Ambrose from Brooklyn-based streetwear label Bolt  Cutter, who sez “BOLT CUTTER is the momentary jolt of genius in a 7th grader’s brain as he drifts away from algebra and loses himself in the margins of his notebook.” Dan spoke to SoJones.com about his collection.

Introduce yourself and describe how your brand was started?
My name is Dan Ambrose and I’m the Everything Guy at BOLT CUTTER, a progressive streetwear lifestyle brand out of Brooklyn, NY. I’m at the upper end of the streetwear demographic (32) and I’ve been getting closer with my cousins who are on the lower end (18). I’ve always been fascinated by subculture, but it is especially exciting to see the elements from my generation that pop-up in theirs. To a guy like me, raised in Pop America ,there is an opportunity in streetwear to talk about my influences and my history. The need to share art with younger people and create a dialog between us is what really started this thing.

Describe this season and next season’s looks. Include any sources of inspiration.
Like I said, it’s fascinating to see what part of my youth is returning reprocessed into the fashion dialectic– and so what I’m looking at most of all is what was important to me when I was 17 years old– grunge music, alternative culture, radical cinema and early street brands like FreshJive, Fuct and Stussy. When I was that age, those brands were anti-brands and I felt good allowing them into my identity. I knew they didn’t want to commodify me anymore than the Dead Kennedys or Ministry. They just wanted allies in expression. That’s all BOLT CUTTER wants.

What celeb or well-known figure(s) exemplify the brand?
G.G. Allin is the patron saint of BOLT CUTTER, but I’ll admit it’s difficult to maintain his message at all times. I mean, he couldn’t even handle it. I guess you could throw Marcel Duchamp, G.G., David Lynch and Mobb Deep into a blender and hit “Puree” and have a BOLT CUTTER smoothee.

Any product placements on celebs, in movies or videos to keep an eye out for?
A bunch of really cool folks are liking us right now and have our stuff. Lady Gaga’s bassist Sylvia, French emcee from TTC Cuizinier, Eric from Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show. One of my favorite connections is with DJ crew Chateau Lateuf in France (they have stuff coming out on Trouble & Bass– Brooklyn label). Lateuf is really dope and they have a global energy I think you’ll hear about everywhere soon. Lastly, our BFF Jane Bang is rocking our shit like everywhere and there is big talk about a spring launch/cd release with her and us in BK…

Any expansion plans?
Tons. This month we are going to have an ad in Frank151 and we have an exclusive T-shirt collab with them dropping in December. Digital Gravel also picked us up, which is the biggest compliment I’ve ever received in my whole life. Hopefully we’ll be at SLATE/MAGIC in February with a WHOLE line of goods– sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, and a few surprises…

Looking ahead over the next year or two, what themes/looks/styles do you see your brand gravitating to?
People have stopped saying that we live in scary times, which makes this the scariest of all times. The internet is cool and all, but we’re all way too OK with the fact that the moment we step out of our homes we’re being videotaped non-stop. I’m not saying we’re going to be making Sex Pistols shirts, but the heart of punk rock and hardcore is so desperately needed now more than ever. Kids growing up today won’t know what it’s like to not be watched 24/7. And the scary thing is they don’t think that’s a big deal. We’re like the Wu-Tang– we’re trying to educate the children ahahaha.

What themes/looks/styles do you see your brand moving away from?
Our first collection made me really happy, but we’re beginning to mature. Not everything needs to be big and loud.

What has been a surprise fashion hit over the last year?
If my calculations are correct, we should be seeing kids wear their pants backwards again this coming year. Nothing surprises me.

Get BOLT CUTTER gear on their official website: www.boltcutternyc.com. Prices range $28.00 up to $79.99. A special for SoJones readers: 10% off plus free shipping! Use code “sojones” when you are checking out at www.boltcutternyc.com/store!  Here’s the SoJones editors picks: