Interview With Alyasha Owerka-Moore

April 24th, 2008 Posted in Interviews

Introducing Alyasha Owerka-Moore, designer and self-proclaimed tinkerer raised in New York, now living in San Diego, California. Aly has been the creative force behind many brands, including Fiberops, his “high end, low brow” label launched in Japan and now available in the United States.

RF: Where did you grow up?
Aly: I was born in Amherst, Mass (1970) and moved to Brooklyn NY when I was 7 (1977). So I suppose I did most of my “Growing Up” in New York.

RF: What were you into growing up?
Aly: WOW … That encompasses quite a lot: Dungeons and Dragons and many other RPG’s I think this is the only thing I was really fanatical about until I discovered Skateboarding and started writing graffitti.
Building models
Skating
Graffitti
Kurosawa films … My mom took me to the Thalia to see Roshamon when I was 9 … After that … I was hooked. All things samurai. (Please note that during this period of time there were none of those stupid “American Ninja” , “Big trouble in LIttle China” films. I had no interest in that then and none now.) I worked saturdays in a gallery to pay off Japanese woodblock prints during Jr. High school.
Reading
Drawing
OI, Punk, Hip Hop, Early Electro , Classic Rock, Jazz … I guess I just got really into all sorts of music. Punk and Hip Hop were still relatively “New” at the time …. Later,
in the 80’s I got really into DEVO and then into New York Hard Core.

RF: What do you worry about?
Aly: I worry about what the world will be like for my children (When I have some ). I worry about how I will be able to take care of my mother, when she wants to retire.

RF: Which brands have you had a hand in starting?
ALY:
Shut Skates
American Dream Inc.
Big East Wheel Franchise
CPSL Snowboarding
Phat Farm
Alphanumeric
Sinful Things
Fiberops

RF: Which brands have you done work for?
Aly:
Triple Five Soul
Blockhead
Slap Magazine
Transworld Skateboarding
Shut
Blue Marlin
Shanghai Tang
Irons
Stereo
Metropolitan
REAL
Krooked
Adidas
NIKE
DC shoes
Dub Brand Outerwear
Droors Brand Denim
Phat Farm
Mecca USA (Contrary to popular belief, I had nothing to do with the creation of Mecca)
411 Video Mag
Suppa Soes
In4mation
Sinful Things
Real Real Genuine
CPSL
The Hundreds

RF: Are you easy to work with?
Aly: (Laughing) Well … According to some folks … NO … According to others … YES. Ultimately I think this question would be better suited for someone else to answer.

RF: Do you like everything you do?
Aly: No … It’s funny the way media tends to make people think that designing is this glorious job where you get to make all the “really cool things” you have always wanted to. Depending one the client or company you are working for, there are often strict guidelines, landed price, retail price ,sizing/fit, color, fabric, target market, etc … Honestly, a lot of the things that I personally like would never sell in this market .

RF: What’s your favorite place?
Aly: I don’t think I have a single favorite place. Having grown up in NY, I love the city … Like most kids, I ran all over the city. I have fond memories from every borough.
I moved to SD in 96-97 and really love things about SD. Having Spent several years in Hong Kong, I could see myself living there again for a loooong time. One of the things I love about Hong Kong is that I always have a great sense of accomplishment there. The city moves so quickly. You see your ideas come to fruition very quickly. I did some work with some friends in Beijing recently and I have to say even though I only spent 5 days there it is one of my favorite places to date. Genuine people, amazing food, killer local music scene, INSANE MUSEUMS. I really really dug it.

RF: Who or what inspires you?
Aly: I could fill a whole page with people places and things that inspire me. Friends, Travel, Music, The State of World Affairs, Reading, Film, My Mom, Skating. I guess those are all pretty stock answers.

RF: What, if any, other designers do you like?
Aly:
Shawn Stussy
Jeff Staple … He’s one of the few who did not lose the plot. Seriously the guy gets it . Intelligent product. AND TEACHES.
Issey Miyake
Rick Klotz
Teru and Takashi from Anti Good
ANTHONY HARRISON
I like people who actually design … Hands on Design … People who
draw.

RF: Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Aly: I tinker with things .
I’m in the middle of building a computer out of Mac parts and a 1950’s Philco Predicta Television.
Basically gutted the TV and rewiring modern Computer parts into it. The toughest parts so far have been buffing out the scratches in the screen and trying to figure out how to make the keyboard cool. The whole thing was pretty much inspired by watching Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil” and Bladeruner.
Also Building a kind of Frankenstein Bike out of a 1954 Huffy Beach Cruiser frame/sea/crank. Rethreaded the rear Hub with a freewheel hub. Beartrap Pedals, Dual vertical springer fork, and Cafe Racer Clubman Bars. Learning how to weld.
Starting a Soapbox car.
Skate with the Curbcrusher crew.
I DJ, 3 nights a week at different Bars and Clubs. Mostly 60’s Soul, Garage Rock, Rockabilly and Jump Blues. On the First Friday of every month I am one of the inhouse DJ’s for the Rockabilly Shakeout at Tio Lios. (I’m the Jump blues go to guy) It’s AWESOME ! Everyone is Dancing. Great Bands, Smokin’ Ladies … No goofballs acting up or trying to “Out New York” me
Working with my friends Julian, Fernando and David with Bop n Stomp Records. A Traditional Rockabilly Label, doing art direction, branding etc …

RF: What sucks right now?
Aly: Our Government
Media
“Designers” in this industry who take themselves waaay to seriously.
People who spend more time worrying about other peoples business than their own.
People who think the more they talk about themselves the more they will be “Respected” . Respect comes from Results and Productivity … You are WHAT YOU do … Not who YOU SAY you are.

RF: What is the 2008 style?
Aly: No idea … It’s all Cyclical. Most likely, something we have seen before.

RF: What’s next for your work?
Aly: More work.