Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Hodge.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started designing and making clothes after I customized a pair of jeans I bought from Rue 21. I hand distressed them and hand sewed camo pockets to them. The next day, I went to school with the pants on and had one of my good friends Keko compliment me on them and after that, he started paying me to make him custom clothing. He started telling people who I was and once that happened everyone started reaching out to me and I began to build clientele. I graduated high school ( Miller Grove High School) in late May and once I graduated, I took off because I began to have more time to design clothes. I had my first fashion show in November of 2018 and after that I slowly started to gain recognition of my brand a couple of months later I reached out to an artist named “Leigh Paris “ on Instagram and once I got my clothes on him many of his fans began reaching out to me and shouting my brand out . I also got my clothes on an artist named “Drugrixh Peso” who’s fans also began to reach out to me and started purchasing my clothes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road coming into the fashion industry because I was very unprepared because I did not have a website at the time, neither did I have business cards. I also struggled with not having my brand name legalized which I finally did Christmas Day 2018 . I also had to learn to accept when people don’t like my clothing because at the end of the day, it should be all about your creation. It should never be about what people don’t like about it. We all have to start somewhere.
Tell us about Katastrophy – what should we know?
Katastrophy is an art form itself and the more you begin to wear the clothes, it starts to tell a story. My role in the company is Creative Director. I’m known for always having a certain style. I’m most proud of having the best supporters over the past two years and I’m also proud that I have the best team ever. I think what sets my brand apart from others is the fact that other brands are afraid to step out of the boundaries when it comes to designing clothes and I am the only brand that I know who hand sews every piece I make.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My grandma deserves a lot of credit because she’s the one who taught me how to sew and she never wanted a dime from me because she had faith in me. Keko plays a big role in this because he informed people on who I was. Drugrixh Peso played a big role in this because he also informed people on who I was and guiding me on what I need to be doing as far as my brand.
I’d also like to give credit to my best friend Tasha who has guided me and given me ideas on my designs and also been there for me since day one when I had no knowledge of the fashion industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Katastrophy.bigcartel.com
- Phone: 678-230-7411
- Email: katastrophybusiness@gmail.com
- Instagram: Highfashiongrimreaper
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