Diving Into One Fish

Fun. Creative. Urban.

Three apt words One Fish creator/designer/owner Colin Cowley uses to describe the fresh take on fashion he explores in his new clothing company, which launches its inaugural line today.

I was lucky enough to talk to Colin about his vision, his plans, and his backstory right before the world discovers One Fish.

What was your inspiration for your designs?

Inspiration comes from all over. New York City. Fashion culture. Product design that I like but then think about what I’d change. I’ve always been obsessed with colors and shapes, contrast, brights and darks.

I don’t sit down and create on a regular schedule. Creativity comes in chunks. I start with one big shape and see what happens. One idea can turn into a series that can take a month to work through.

What’s the significance of the One Fish name/logo?

I did a huge 10-foot mural in college—and the only part that people talked about was the 2-inch fish in the corner. That fish earned his name and image as the company logo.

Who do you imagine wearing One Fish?

I originally planned to cater to the urban hipster, limited edition culture but after getting feedback from wearing One Fish t’s around the city I realized the appeal is much greater than I imagined.

What do you do besides creating cool shirts?

Anything athletic. I boxed in college. I ride my bike all over NYC. I also shoot video, for short projects, and music videos.

What’s your backstory?

I’ve lived in NYC my entire life. Drawing in my spare time has been the only consistent in my life. That and my interest in fashion. It’s exciting to join them into a new career.

How do you see the company and the products evolving?

There are so many things I want to do: sneakers, jeans, accessories. I have a specific progression in mind when I look at the greater whole. My goal is to have a fully functional line of clothing so someone can wear a One Fish outfit from head to toe.

What’s next for One Fish?

Along with the first line of t-shirts and hoodies, there’s a promo video in the works, a digital look book and a website that’s launching 11.11.12. The grand plan?  Incorporating video, photography, design and clothing into one unified vision.

Where can people find One Fish merch?

www.onefishclothing.com

thoughts about today

at HuffPo:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elissa-stein/hurricane-sandy-election_b_2082442.html

with love and hope for the future

an unexpected compliment

Last night Jack was working on a biography poem - a 7 to 10 line structured writing piece that got across more personal details than he was comfortable with.

His favorite part was finding adjectives to describe himself. Determined. Creative. Motivated. Aggravated (that pertained to dealing with his older sister).

He then thought of adjectives for me. We overlapped on just about all. Then he told me what I am the most is a problem-solver. Technically that's not an adjective but I'm not complaining.

He said no matter what the situation, the challenge, the stumbling block, the obstacle I always find a way to work through it to a positive outcome.

Then he said I wasn't just a problem solver, I was amazing at it.

And that I'm kind. And crafty.

How amazing to have your child take a step back and see you as someone besides the person who does laundry and gets up early to make sure everyone gets to school on time.

Yet again I know being a mom is the greatest thing I will ever do.

more stretching

Math properties.

Subject pronouns.

Weights and measures.

If it wasn't for google I wouldn't be able to help with homework.

Back to biography poems.

in a perfect world . . .

This is not one.

If it was I wouldn't have lost the entire post of written while waiting for Iz at the orthodontist. Which, it turns out, is a very good place to write. I've given up trashy magazines, my interest in words with friends is on the wane, the crowded waiting room filled with pre teens and actual teens means no meaningful conversation.

It's not like I'd written anything all that extraordinary either. But I'm committed to 40 days of getting words out.

It's still a struggle to find my voice and the flow that used to be so effortless.

But, I couldn't go to bed tonight without writing.

And so the routine starts to settle in.

today

Today was a perfect buttered cinnamon raison bagel dripping with butter.

Walks with dogs in nippy weather.

Finishing Mark of Athena.

Beading and needlepointing at a yoyo meetup in a midtown McDonald's.

Broccoli and oh so much garlic at Carmine's in Times Square.

Being in the very last subway car.

Navigating clashing emotions from everyone I was with.


Ripping apart the sweater I'm knitting. Again.

Getting 50 bags of potato chips and wax bottles of sugar syrup from my brother.

Today wasn't painting the apartment.

Taking a much needed nap.

My favorite yoga class of the week.

Going for a run.

Baking brownies.

Cleaning my desk.

Writing something meaningful.


But there's always tomorrow.

projects

Today we started painting the living room.

I'm knitting a sweater.

Beading an intricate bracelet.

Decorating Iz's room.

Writing. Well, thinking about talking about contemplating writing.

But not actually doing it.

It's a practice.

Even this little bit counts.

I pitched an article. Have an epic PTA project running through my head. A kidney book, a fiction project and menopause to tackle.

But first, there's some shoulder shaping I must get to.