Meet the CEO of Group Fly Clothing

Heady Here! I’m super excited about this interview with Vernon Deas. Vernon is the founder of Group Fly Clothing. He is also a talent in the music industry. On January 24th, he will be showcasing his line via a design show at We Tell Stories Poetry Night. This will be something new for poetry night, and we are excited about this opportunity to partner with the team at Group Fly. Well, read and have fun as I chat with Mr. Deas.

Heady: Vernon, I deeply appreciate you taking time to do this email interview. The hope is that it will give our audience the opportunity to know the man behind Group Fly Clothing. So, let’s start with some really good stuff. You’re about to have a baby. What’s going through your mind?

Vernon: My daughter Nessa, was born on Dec 21st. I guess what was going through my mind, was wow!!! I get the opportunity to raise one of God’s children. The brith process was quite humbling and amazing at the same time. My wife and I are simply in love with our daughter, life does not get any better!!!

H: Where were you when you first found out the wife was pregnant?

V: Actually we were at the doctor’s office. My wife was about to have some test done on her because she was feeling oddly sick. The doc came back into the room, and authorized a pregnancy test and the rest is history, lol!!!!

H: You’re deep into the music scene. Tell us how.

V: Man, I have always loved music. My parents were into good music, everything from The Temptations all the way to the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Naturally growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was blessed to be introduced to the golden era of hip-hop. From there, I began emceeing in Kansas City in the 90s and it evolved into me producting currently. I am an avid fan of good music. My favorite era of music is soul music. I try to bring that feel to my hip-hop artistry.

H: Mighty Clouds of Joy! That’s tight. What’s in your IPOD rotation at the moment?

V: After my daughters birth, I have been playing the Sylvers (similar to the Jackson 5), Dionne Warwick, J-Dilla’s MCA Album, and my brother Jabee’s “Black Is The New Black”.

H: Who are some of your musical influences?

V: Definitely growing up I loved Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Project Blowed, but the Tunnel Rats who were a lyrical hardcore gospel hip-hop super crew that changed my life…literally. These emcees were able to make good songs, battle anyone and everyone but still have integrity and character at the end of the day!!! Of course, I can’t forget Hieroglyphics and Wu-Tang!!!!! 90’s hip-hop was the best!!!!

H: Fashion - give me the story behind Group Fly?

V: Group Fly is simply a vision to elevate individuals through a lifestyle streetwear clothing brand. Whether you do art, hip hop, action sports, or just try to keep the lights on; I want to create a brand that promotes progression in lives of people.

H: How did you come up with the name Group Fly?

V: I wanted my brand to personify my vision of elevating people. I looked up the flying term - “group fly”, and the definition fit our brand perfectly. The definition is simply this: a collective of indivivuals that elevate to supreme destination. Strong huh!!!! The goal of our apparel is to make individuals elevate to the next level of excellence in their personal lives, and look good doing it!!!!!

H: You’ve kinda touched on this next question, but what made you get in the game of fashion?

V: I am a street-wear junkie. I am a product of the 80s & 90s. Where Air Jordans, fresh sneakers, and fresh gear reign supreme. I guess fashion really sums up the totality of who I am as an individual. As a hip-hop artist, graphic designer, and youth culture specialist, fashion is a voice I can use to express all three thremes that make up who I am as a person. Plus, I have always felt the burning desire to contribute to street-wear fashion culture.

H: What brands do you personally enjoy wearing outside of Group Fly?

V: I love supporting innovative and creative lines. Brands I really like are LRG, DGK, Supra, Nike SB, Crooks and Castles, Bathing Ape, and Orisue. I like the fact that these are lifestyle brands, meaning that they create accessories and apparel that you can utilize in your everyday life. I am also a fan of just creating your personal style. I am the Ross and TJ Max king!!!!

H: What will GF offer in it’s line?

V: Currently we offer luxury fitted baseball caps and graphic tees. In the near future we will be releasing luxury denims, jackets, hoodies, skateboard decks, and belts.

H: Give me a little more of the vision. What are some goals?

V: We are looking to compete in the international and stateside markets. Hip-hop and actions sports are continuing to thrive overseas and we are catering to that market that is excited about our brand. Stateside, we have several local urban and action sports boutiques that are looking to exclusively carry our brand. We have a couple of trade shows we are looking into for our 2009 and 2010 lines and we plan to take the brand to new levels regarding visibility. My vision is to create an innovate street-wear brand right out of the hear of the Midwest and Oklahoma City.

H: When I was doing the Heady Tees, I always wanted to see a John Mayer or Nora Jones in a People magazine wearing my my tee. Which star would you love to see rocking GF?

V: I guess, I would like to see Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids, Charles Hamilton, Reakwon, Lupe Fiasco, Wale, N*E*R*D on the music side rock the gear. On the skateboard side I would like to see someone like Malcom Watson (team rider), Darell Stanton, Paul Rodriguez, or Chad Ortiz rocking the gear.

H: O, I must ask. Let me say that my favorite fashion magazine is Paste. But, it’s not a fashion magazine but I think the non-fashion magazines are the best to find good fashion. What’s your fav on fashion magazines?

V: I actually am a computer Macintosh nerd, so I love the online magazines and blogs. My favorites are Hypebeast, Highsnobiety, and Resource1214. The only periodical I really check out is Antenna.

H: Without giving too much, what can we expect at the poetry night/design show?

V: Just a good time. My line is all about fun and fly gear!!!!

H: Where can GF be purchased locally?

V: Right now we are working on the finishing details with some local boutiques, but you will be able to purchase our apparel online.

H: What’s your website address?

V: www.grpfly.com & myspace.com/grpfly

H: What can we be looking for in the near future musically? How can we get a taste of your music?

V: Right now I am just producing and doing cameos here and there. I have completed a full-length LP with Jabee (Little Earth), to be out this spring on III-Roots.com with DJ Mike Waxx. I did a song with Apoc for his LP, and have free-downloads with a couple of groups I am working with. This spring I am working on putting out a Group Fly mixtape with my crew, “The Puzzle People”.

H: This will be your first We Tell Stories Poetry Night? What have you heard about it?

V: Yes, I keep up with you guys through my homies like AdamL, Phil “the bass slayer”, Apoc, and Cam. I also check the blog.

H: Before we end, I have one name I’m going to give you and you give me your first thought: Jesus.

V: My reason for existence. My personal Savior. The reason I do what I do!!!!!!

H: Last words.

V: I’m excited for the next event!!!!!