I've been a DJ since 2010 and I always wanted my own merchandise to sell with a mixtape attached. In 2012, I realized I had way too many fitteds, snapbacks, and five panel hats to keep up with. I had a specific taste to them as well, I didn't like just any hat but at the same time I had variation. In 2013, I started getting into fedoras; paying attention to shapes, materials, additional accessories like small chains and feathers. My style has become its own, so I figured why not come out with my own line of hats since I'm consistently buying a new one.
By late 2013, I had booklets full of a themed collection I was so excited to produce. I contacted several manufacturers who all turned me down because my designs were too customized, that their machine couldn't make that cut. This is something the world hasn't seen yet and I can't put them out because the design is too complex. Frustrated of course, I concluded to just branding myself first. Beanies are an easy market to sell and I figured I just get my name out for the time being.
Fall of 2014 I released the "That's OhhDee" line of beanies. There are two fonts both around the theme of "Asia" because I am Chinese. The packaging was originally going to be a Chinese food take out box, but due to certain circumstances I wasn't able to do so.
Why was I inspired to make my beanies based on my ethnicity? Well, I lived out majority of my life ashamed of being Asian because I have always been bullied for it. I would always answer people by saying I was half Mexican first before I mentioned being half Chinese as well when they asked for my ethnicity. Up until 2012-2013, I learned to embrace it. So I wanted to honor that in my beanies.
The back of the hat has the "That's OhhDee" logo which is a paw print with the word "OHHDEE" strategically engraved in it. This was decided due to the theme of "footprints" because I believe everybody that passes by in your life, leaves a slight impression, a print for example. I chose for it to be a paw print instead of a footprint because ever since I was a child I've been obsessed with dogs and wolves due to their strength and loyalty. The "OHHDEE" is in there because not only is it my artist name, but because I believe if you're ever going to do something in life you've always got to overdo it, in a good way of course. I'm not being a negative influence here at all, I just think that an overachiever will receive and appreciate the stars they earn on their way to the moon.
My main focus is my career in audio engineering so for the most part, my sketches for the real hats I want to come out with are sitting on my desk waiting to come to life. I've been interning for Coco and Breezy for almost two years now and they've been so helpful in my process, but they know my love for music is much more which is why I could not be more blessed after they hooked me up with an internship with Lounge Studio.