Streetwear Spotlight: Rise Up International + GIVEAWAY

Article written by: Asmara Wreksono
Posted on: July 31, 2010

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An old friend of SoJones’ is back with its new and fab collection, please say hello to Rise Up International.  If you’re all about wearing social statements and flaunting them through art, this brand is for you.  SoJones talks to Jesse Roberts, founder-creative of Rise Up.

Introduce yourself and describe how your brand was started?
My name is Jesse Roberts and I’m the founder-creative behind Rise Up. In 2006 I made a T-shirt for a pro-peace/anti-war rally in California titled – “War Hurts.” A clothing rep friend saw it and pitched it to some majors & it ended up getting picked up by: Urban Outfitters, The Buckle, Metro Park, Planet Funk, and other stores nationwide. So I decided to start a brand. My brother & I did a bunch of art, and we took some friends to the Pool Trade Show in February of 2007 to display our first collection. It went really well and Rise Up has been growing as a brand ever since.

Describe this season’s theme for your line. Include any sources of inspiration (examples: 80′s punk, muses like Amber Rose, 70′s disco bands, Kanye, etc)
Rise Up is a brand that makes social statements through art. So that always makes up the core of our designs. Fall-Holiday 2010 is very street inspired. We drew inspiration from looking at tons of street art from all over the world. We are really excited about our new collection that we’ll be releasing soon.

Any product placements on celebs to keep an eye out for (examples: publicity photos, magazines, movies, music videos etc)
Kobe Bryant’s wife – Vanessa recently got behind our campaign to raise awareness about the anti-immigration law in AZ. She wore our “Do I Look Illegal” shirt to game one of the LA-Suns playoff series.

After a five-year hiatus platinum selling electronic artist The Chrystal Method have been touring the world to promote their new album. They have been rocking Rise Up at all their shows & press appearances.

We have a handful of shirts that will be in the new “Lost Boys” movie & “In Defiance Of Gravity.” Also, Nylon Men’s Magazine is featuring some new tees.

MOsley WOtta northwest hip-hop star is always spreading the message & wearing our gear.

What has been a surprise fashion hit over the last year? (a particular piece, a look or even another brand)
We made the “Do I Look Illegal” shirt to help raise awareness against the crazy anti-immigration-anti-human rights law in Arizona. We’ve had an overwhelming response and have been re-printing the design every week just to keep up with the demand. It’s a simple text based design, but the message is what makes it powerful.

What current fashion trend would you like to see thrown overboard?
Honestly with the dip in the economy over the past few season I think a lot of brands are not getting too risky in a creative way. I think a lot of brands have been staying conservative and doing what they know will sell, or what has been popular. I’d like to see some radical new trends emerge in graphic tees during the next few seasons. I’d also like to see some “major buyers” get a little risky and take a chance on some smaller art driven brands, rather than stick with the same old stuff.

What is/was one of your most prized fashion pieces, past or present?
I have this coat that I got at a thrift store in Santa Cruz or something. I always get compliments when I wear it and everyone thinks I spent hundreds of dollars on it. I still love the 1st generation Jordan’s.

TuPac or Biggie?
I was more into the Black Star vibe. I prefer the 90’s East Coast hip-hop- Biggie, Nas, and Jay-Z, to the West Coast.

You can find Rise Up’s clothing on Karmaloop Kazbah Store and this “Do I Look Illegal” tee is one of their hottest item of the season.  All Rise Up t-shirts range from $25 up to $30.  Check SoJones editors’ favorites:

Do I Look Illegal Tee, $26

The Ended Summer Tee, $30

The Breath Top, $28

Che Panda Top, $27

Rise Up International GIVEAWAY!!

We have FOUR Tees (specifically the 4 above) the latest Rise Up International line via the “SoJones Article Comments Lottery” See below to get an idea of what kind of dopeness you could win!

Here’s how it works:
1. Every SoJones comment posted on this page from July 30th to August 13th, 2010 counts as a “lottery entry”. Also make sure when you comment, have a link to somewhere we can contact you (like your SoJones account, your facebook, etc.). It makes it easier to contact you if you win.
2. Drawing for FOUR winners will be held on August 14th. Winners will be announced on this page and on the forums page (http://www.sojones.com/forums/).

Article Comments Lottery Rules
One item per winner
Previous winners must wait 30 days before entering this contest
Duplicate comments will not count, like posting “I love this forum” or “hi” 50 times.
Garbage or nonsensical comments will not count, like “awr#$ASFasdfkl”
Comments hating on other people will definitely NOT count.
U.S. residents only