Devlin Carter is a well-known and respected sneaker and streetwear designer in the fashion community. When his clothing line SIA Collective got a name drop from an active NBA superstar the world took notice. Now everyone wants to know who is the person behind SIA Collective and why is Kyrie Irving talking about them.
These days Kyrie has his own gravitational pull. Since the controversy on his covid stance happened last year it seems like there has been one controversy after the other. All the drama and media fire came to a head when he posted a link to a documentary titled "Hebrews to Negroes". The documentary was labeled anti-semitic by the Jewish community and many others. The decision to post the link cost him, money, fans and endorsements.
One of the endorsements he lost was Nike. Nike first suspended the deal, then terminated it a month later. A statement was put out saying the two sides mutually parted was.
Although this hurt Kyrie in many ways, it hurt Nike pockets too. Kyrie's signature shoe was one of the best selling shoe in the Nike universe. Now the marketing and selling power of a future Hall of Fame player is up for grabs. Enter Delvin Carter and his brand SIA Collective.
Devlin graduated from the Fashion Institute Of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA. He studied product development. In 2018 he started his stored, Carpe Diem Fashion House in Oakland, CA and followed the store with his brand launch Somewhere In America (a.k.a SIA Collective) in 2019. Since then he has had plenty of success in the sneaker and streetwear design world, even garnering a interview from the cultural platform The Breakfast Club.
The reason that a potential collaboration between these two black men is so news worthy is simply because here are two black men, both dope at their respective crafts, coming together to do something unheard of. We have never seen a black owned shoe or clothing company win a bid for a major athlete in their prime. Especially in a basketball shoe. It has usually the same names for decades now: Nike, Puma, Converse, Reebok, Adidas.
Having a black owned company enter the chat would be groundbreaking to say the least. the sneaker business in a $79 billion empire, yet only 5% of retailer happen to be black. What does that mean? Im glad you asked. It means, although, black athletes and entertainers are endorsing these sneakers and the black community is making them culturally popular; the black community is hardly reaping any of the pro-seeds.
Delvin and Kyrie have both been outspoken on keeping black dollars circulating in the black community like other races do. That is hat is one of the most important things we can do to help our community reach the heights we are capable of reaching. The black community in America has the spending power of most nations on earth, yet we have nothing to show for it. That is because we dont use that spending power within our won communities. That is how we will build the power to take the respect we have been asking for for generations now. By working together.
Kyrie has not said he would sign with SIA, but just mentioning them as a viable candidate says a lot about the brand and company. It would be amazing if this collaboration does happen, but we can't fault Kyrie for doing what is best for him and his family if it doesn't happen. Much respect to both these men and the talent, can't wait to see what happens next.
Go support the Devin and SIA Collective. IG: sia_collective.
Thanks for reading! Please like, comment, subscribe and share if you like what we are doing.
Commenti