When I peeked on Instagram I saw a posting about Compound’s First Thursday event. I knew I had to get my girlfriends together for a night out downtown. Compound is a clothing store in the heart of Portland standing on the corner of 5th and Couch, but it’s not just their Streetwear clothing that attracts people, it’s the events they throw as well. Running quickly in our heels past the protestors and rain falling my girls and I were welcomed right into the shop with live music and a warmly lit crowd.
There’s an art behind a pair of Nike’s and a designer graphic tee, Streetwear is an open canvas for fashion lovers who enjoy a clean-cut look, while also being casually chic. I got to celebrate CLSC, a Streetwear brand, at the shop with the designer, managers, close friends, and dashing strangers.
“I wanted to showcase CLSC because they’re rad, the workers are dope, and the brand brings a lot of culture to our store and the streets,” Cole McBride the manager at Compound explained. I caught McBride in between his tending to the night that he organized. Free PBR beer was floating around the party, a live DJ was playing out the vibes for the night, and people kept flowing in and out. I was lucky enough to grab a few minutes with the busy host.
Compound has sold CLSC clothing for a while, but with a recently rekindled relationship and collaboration tee, McBride found it suitable to show off the work Josh Vides has mastered for his brand.
“I needed to show off their passion for Streetwear,” McBride stated. He was sporting the collab tee that Compound and CLSC designed. A white graphic tee simply showing off the two brands on the front, and the Morton Salt girl with the words “Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone” on the back. Although The design of the Morton girl had a twist, to match with the song lyrics, her body can’t be seen and it’s just her classic yellow rain outfit and umbrella visual; A genius idea that shows off the artistic creativity behind Streetwear and CLSC.
CLSC started a store in Los Angeles, California about a year ago, but Vides has been designing for his brand for six years and two weeks exactly. Our conversation was short, but I could tell Vides was very proud of the work he’s accomplished and the life he’s molded off of it.
“I was into Streetwear and knew how to draw, so I said fuck it I’m going to start a brand and now I’m here,” Vides gratifying remarked.
“Our market demographic is mostly high school to early college, but we cut and sew to fit adults. My 50-year-old dad wears shirts from my brand,” he let out a small smirk.
Why not be proud of a vision and art that makes your living? Vides is living and thriving off of a dream any artist wishes for. I was eager to ask about his inspiration behind the collaboration tee.
“Kolby told me it rains a lot in Portland, he brought up an idea about bikes, raining, and with that, we came up with the Morton Salt girl,” Vides stated
Although it was Vides first time in Portland, I could have been fooled that he was a local. Dressed urbanely head to toe in rain appropriate attire I was surprised that he was a newbie to Oregon’s summer time weather. That’s just how comfy and sleek Streetwear style is. I’d say Streetwear could be the new Hipster style of Portland.
“It’s cool to be in Portland, in no negative way it’s not what I expected, very green and rainy,” Vides mentioned, “Thanks for supporting.”
