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Q1 Pease tell us your brief profile.
I consider myself a trend setter... I know it sounds really conceited, but I hate to be average. I'm a former Rocksteady Crew b-boy from Hawaii. I love long walks on the beach... haha. Screw it, I'm not the best when it comes to profiling myself so let's move on (^_^) |
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Q2 Where do you live?
I'm originally from Oahu, Hawaii... but I'm currently residing on the North side of Las Vegas aka Sin City.
Q3 Tell us your career as an artist.
I was what you call a versatile B-boy... I dabbled in Aerosol Art, but never really excelled in it because of my love for the art of B-boying (breakdancing for those who don't know). Now that I'm getting a bit older, my focal point is now my artwork. I'm a fan of the simple but effective steeze haha.
Q4 Would you tell us about your brand? What is the concept behind it?
I mentioned most of it in the BIO, but to make a long story short the concept is based on the Hippopotamus. A cute but very very dangerous animal. The HIPPOE brand has an appetite for style similar to that of the animal itself. |
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Q9 What if you weren't an artist?
If I weren't an artist I'd definitely be a model... I was always into fashion and being a model ties you into fashion... actually I still wouldn't mind being a model haha.
Q10 Who is your favorite designer?
Hmmm... I can't narrow it down to one... |
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Q11 Where do you go for shopping?
I'll go ANYWHERE to shop! As long as they got cool shit, I'm there!
Q12 What do you see Japan from you? (fashion, life style, food, etc)
Japan is the SHIT! Straight up, I love everything about it. Fashion, Asahi beer in vending machines, the people, onsens, yakiniku restaurants... zenbu dayo!
Q13 Who is your dream collaborator?
I would love to collaborate with Nike... that would be so dope.
Q14 What is your favorite cuisine? Any good restaurants?
Yakiniku saiko dayo! But mama's cooking is the absolute haha.
Q15 Are there any places or countries you wish to visit?
I'm Filipino, but I was born and raised in Hawaii... I haven't even gone to the Philippines yet, so I definitely wanna hit up the motherland. |
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Hippo Esthetics aka HIPPOE was thought up in 2003 and brought to life in 2004 by TNES (former Rocksteady Crew B-boy and mixed media artist). Our branding has been done in Hawaii, Japan, and Las Vegas. HIPPOE is an extremely versatile brand that at its core reflects the unique lifestyle and perception of the Hippopotamus. Hippos are land mammals that spend most of their time in water... this expresses the brands versatility. Playing on the concept of above and below the surface, heaven and hell, soft but hard, yin and yang etc. HIPPOE's designs are based on the artist's feeling at the moment ensuring a random thrill ride of flavor in our trademark streamlined style. |
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Q5 Would you tell us the work you enjoyed the most so far?
So far I enjoyed designing the Drunk Frog In Bear Suit toy by Kidrobot. Providing the 3D turnaround art was fun, seeing in brought to life in the form of Urban Vinyl has to be the most rewarding thing.
Q6 Tell us about a project that you are working on right now
I'm working on HIPPOE's new designs... I'm really feeling my city right now and I'm gonna capture Sin City's lifestyle and culture then portray it with a dash of some Hippo Esthetics. I'm also working on bringing my other character "T-Wrecks" to life. I'm hoping to have it become the next best vinyl figure to customize.
Q7 Do you have anyone, any place, anything that you are strongly inspired by recently?
Recently any and everyone who's succeeding in their goals is my inspiration... actually I raise a glass of "Haterade" to them before the inspiration actually kicks in hahahaha!! |
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Q8 What are you trying to express through your work?
I'm not a great portrait or technical artist... I to be my worst critic and get pissed at myself for not being able to do things as good as other artists... but I like to think I have my own style- and although it's a simple one... at least it's mine. So, I guess you could say I'm trying to express originality in a simple but pleasant way... did that make sense? LOL. |
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Q16 What's coming up in 2008? Any plans for next year?
Doper gear! Doper Art! And Doper parties haha! I plan to just balance them out so they all work in harmony.
Q17 What is your vision in your future?
Success... I wanna succeed in everything I got my hands in for sure. |
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