Love and be Loved Pt.2

His name is Amin Philips.You should have seen the coats!Very tapered,with a futuristic design to them.All Fritz could talk about at that moment was how are we gonna get one of those coats!So we have a discussion about where to get tweed and his ideas and i setup and interview with him sometime later on this trip.So finally on my last day here in London,we finally meet up and he picks me up from the tube station in a town called Leyostone. He pulls up in the "Hart to Hart Mercedes black with tan leather interior and we're off to his work space.We pull up to his place with a sign outside of it saying"Love and be Loved".This is the name of his line.We walk inside and come upon fabric hanging everywhere ,outfits for his customers,future designs,previous designs adorn the walls as well as a great poster of miles davis looming over a old sewing machine.The first floor also consists of his bag making team of two guys working away at straps,constructing belts,sewing ,cutting leather in various colors.We head upstairs to his workspace,where his other part of his team Ali the master sewer and Carrie his assistant,cutting,pressing patterns.Its a tight place but plenty of room for him with rolls upon rolls of beautiful fabric,fabric remnants paint the floor,the whizzing of the sewing as Ali is quickly putting something together,to finished pieces hung up next to hangers full of patterns.As the interview begins,we discuss how it all started,the future of fashion,the comparisons to UK and the states etc.Born in Germany but then moved to London in his early twenties,fashion was in his blood from the first day he was born.He shows me some pics of his parents both dressing to a tee,while explaining that despite racial issues constantly going on througout a daily basis,one was for sure his parents always made sure they looked sharp.Something that was and is known for african americans in the 50's,60's and 70's here in Europe and as well in the states.I show him my bag,my ideas for it and my future of my product.And right away he gives me a course in fashion/product design 101 right there,no hesitation.A laid back,chill,talented brotha with a futuristic mind of fashion and where it should go and why the US seems to lack.I asked him how he describes his clothes,after a few moments he says there really isn't a true definition just that "they are modern clothing" or what he also calls them "cuz i can"wear.During this whole time of laughing and exchanging of pleasant talk,he still works away be it cutting, measuring,or directing orders to Ali or Carrie, but in the end it all about his passion and how his team follows suit.He shows me some of his past and present work.His take on collars is amazing,the shape,literally wind resistant,with a his own couture flair.Not only does he do coats,there's trousers,wedding dresses,skirts,and now his bag line soon coming.This brotha is very very talented,with a simple way of living attitude,uplifting spirit and a eye of course for fashion this man deserves all the credit in the world.I got to try on the black cashmere trenchcoat.I felt like i should be walking down a runway or the streets strutting my stuff.I was thinkin a full on black suit,shoes the whole nine,but he tells me he rather throw on some jeans and a pair of chucks."It's not about having what you think should go with it,but to showcase what's important, the coat".Point taken.At this time Ali is finishing the female version of the trenchcoat but with a totally different fabric.He finally sews on the last shoulder pad and Carrie puts it on.Flat out redonculous!The lines,the angle of the fabric,how it's tapered,and of course the collar which can be worn 3 different ways if not four.I can't wait to get one of theses coats!He also says out of one piece he'll get three even four more pieces out of.A different coat,waist coat,etc.Now i was originally suppose to have a few other interviews today but ended up staying here all day,watching,learning,observing how it's done.I can not wait for the day to see his work on the runway.You'll find me right up front cheering him on.Brotha Amin,Carrie,Ali,and the rest of the team at Love and be Loved clothing i wish the best for you and your future ,you have all my blessings!Oh a brotha will need to get a pair a trousers and that coat for my birthday!LOL!

You can find Amin Philips on Facebook,take a look at his work,a true genius at his craft!