Today we’d like to introduce you to Micky Brown.
Micky, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
OKVY pronounced (OKAY) came up as an idea back in high school to collaborate with other creatives and make anything and everything to build and inspire a better culture. I found myself creating and making things randomly and putting artwork in classrooms. My first start at making fashion was in an art class where we had to sew our own pieces. And I hated the process, but it taught me a ton about the work and the patience you have to go through. And in that process, it taught me about discipline.
That discipline was even more instilled when I had the opportunity to work on a farm for two and a half months. The people I got to work with never knew my name the first few weeks I was there and being new to farming I didn’t bring enough clothes to work in so they let me sift through an old tee shirt pile and inside that pile of t-shirts was embroidered the name MICKY BROWN. So everyone called me MICKY, and it stuck, so I carried it throughout high school and used it as an alias to create from. But overall, that experience taught me how to get up at three and work till they said finished and gave me a better appreciation for working by hand.
The idea of OKVY is the belief that “There is a Creator in All of Us” and that through that idea, we can create and build ideas that can create opportunities and inspire. I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of artists and even some that may not be considered that a primary outlet of expression. And through it, we have been able to bend what fashion feels like but also the visual and the identity behind it. Most of our projects have a lot of thought from the design to the packaging. Everything is touched and processed by hand, and we pay close attention to the small details. And in the design process, we are continuing to layer the ideas that have been put out in the world and try to expound on them.
Right now, the focus has been on Season 3 of OKVY, which will be the final season that finishes of Volume 1. I decided to make volumes because those chapters in our process are coming to a close, and we want to try new things out inside different volumes. And seasons are just a word that has its limits. Still, when you think volumes, you think of a whole series of ideas culminating into a considerable shelf of work. And it seems more fitting to continue our work that way.
Season 3 of OKVY has been a challenge of thought, but it will be the best of what OKVY is trying to accomplish. I hate giving away to much, so I leave it there tentatively, but without giving away too much, its a take on pushing the medium beyond physical feel. And through that, there are so many ways to discover and find a sense of Divinity in those moments. So that is what we are currently up to, and I am working with Mon Rovîa, Ian Complex, Kenna Woods, amongst others, to piece together something exciting to share for people.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest struggle is communicating in a way that has balance. We are not trying to create in a space where it hits you on the surface. But operate in an area that pushes thought. And in culture, we have made that become the minority of discussion.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about OKVY – what should we know?
Our business is spelled OKVY standing for (OKAY) you take the “A” and you flip it, and it becomes the “V”. The design decision behind that was to create discomfort and have a conversation about the brand (which it definitely has done)
We specialize in Design from Graphic work to Creative Concepts to even creating and directing. Our brand is a culmination of many things, but fashion is just a branch of what we do. We do custom shoes to album work for artists and work outside with companies on building they’re brand and creating visuals for their team.
As a company, our proud moments Are just meeting people. Trying to build something, and it is inspiring to see where we have been able to do for people. And we hope to compete in the future with companies like DONDA. And create a culture as a brand of creatives that push the thought of humanity in the right direction. We are still in its infancy, but the goal has been to become a media company that has touched and made a change in society. And if this vision becomes a reality, then I know I have done what God has blessed me with and given me the tools to accomplish.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Mon Rovîa – Has helped me build his thoughts and expand the idea of what covers can look like and feel like. We have been pushing out a ton of work.
Ian Complex – Has taught and helped with everything from checking designs to working on the new projects and making sure they are clean, but he has also been an inspiration for conversation we have had so many that have expanded the thoughts of what we do.
YRCRY – We made a crazy season that still has caused waves but I made and formed a great perspective around what pushing each other creatively in different fronts feels like. But we made crazy connections on both fronts great season all around.
Kenna Woods – Her musical talent has really inspired the way I’m trying new things. Also allowing us to work on pieces and projects its been incredible to see what each of us can come up with.
Max Rozenblum – Man has put together amazing connections and I’m trying to work and keep up and stay in touch but through that, it has created a great friendship through creativity.
Lindsey Hart – Has helped just push me to try new things and get me out of my small circle and meet new artist. I don’t know if I have ever been pushed that much in a direction like that so for that really grateful for.
All of my Mentors
They’ve pushed the limits and don’t let me sit and stay stagnate so to the brand’s constant push for new heights it really been to their credit.
Art Mentors (they taught me everything from photoshop, marketing product and testing artistic boundary I love those people they have a special place in my heart.)
Mr. Merrill
Will Anthony
Mrs. Camargo
Ms. Klipfel
Brett Malden
And cause I want to name drop everyone but it just shows you that this whole idea has taken many souls to create and inspire this idea.
Pricing:
- Fashion Price Range $20.00-$100.00
- Media and Graphic Price Range $100.00-1000.00
Contact Info:
- Website: okvy.co
- Email: okvy@okvy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okvy_/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/_mickybrown/
Image Credit:
Disposable Cameras. iPhone X. Friends
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