What’s good everyone!? We are back with another interview, this time we speak with Pete Vil. Pete Vil is from New York and has high ambitions and goals for his clothing brand The Vil. We discuss what inspired him growing up, his goals for the brand, ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and his new Ferrari Collection. I have known Pete for a while and he is a very inspiring man, who sets his sights high on creativity and success.
You can follow him on on Twitter and on Instagram @squareoffpete. You can also shop on thevil.net.
1. Tell us about where you are from and what was it like growing up there?
I’m from Spring Valley, NY for most people who don’t know that’s rock land county across the bridge from weschester county
Growing up- early age always understood the value of networking being surrounded by successful people and learning things until this day now that you see the benefit of . I Had both parents in my life but had a hustle mentality to always try to figure things out on your own and to venture out to explore life. Always had a passion for music and music industry understanding the business aspect finding new upcoming artist.
2. What got you inspired to start a clothing brand?
Surrounding peers the allure of being fly being outside the attention and feel it brought excites me. Friends who did music friends (square off) and who design art (chandler Benard Society) doing merch for the square off tour and watching how the music and clothing intertwine. It’s the Dopest feeling to see people supporting and respecting your work which really made me want to take off with the idea of creating a brand. I wanted to hustle for my last name and have a future for my kids so I created the brand VIL.
3. What are some ups and downs you faced with the brand so far?
Riding off the wave from the tour meeting and networking so many people was nice set up to release my brand in 2014. Starting off my first piece were t shirts one white with black lettering VIL signature geometric logo print designed by my right hand (Chandler Benard) and the same style in black. The hustle was very different at the time you really had to be outside selling your clothing out the trunk running into people. Instagram was new and wasn’t what is today how people use it as a tool to market and brand themselves.
So it was disadvantage from outreach but advantage because I was able to build strong relationships from people really seeing me in person. The one and most important thing that can break and discourage a lot of people is the financial aspect. I had to work at the same time to financial support my brand and make clothing which is always difficult balancing the two So times where I had to take a pause from putting out clothing until I could get back on. Which effected my consistency which is the primary element to keep going with a brand.
4. What goals do you have for the brand?
I’m still working hard my utilmate goal is to have it available in high fashion department stores but being able to find new avenues to open up and re invent my self into is the point I want to get to. Eventually get a distribution deal.
5. What stores would you like to see the brand in?
Stores from kith, Nordstrom, neimans, saks high fashion but still show suppprt and love to have it boutiques as well.
6. How long have you been pushing the brand?
2014, etc 8 years and going damn time moving for real now is the time to push that button.
7. Tell us about the release of the new Ferrari Collection.
This was different I was actually having some fun with the brand doing something to have a taste of luxury lifestyle . With Music you have fashion and with fashion you have cars. I created a vintage style T shirt with Ferrari 355 spider on it. We shot a video Ridin around nyc in the Ferrari doing promo for the limited collection you can check that out on my page and site @_TheVil or TheVIL.net. You should be able to play around to switch it up and do different things to spark those new ideas. It was a lot of fun to kick the summer off with.
8. What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
I got a upcoming Luxury line for the fall looking to venture with some new material with hoodies and sweat outfits, looking to do more dope photo shoots /pop up shop in the works for fall fashion, collab work with other upcoming brands 2022.
9. Anything else you want the world to know..
Check out my new collections on the TheVIL.net follow me on Instagram @_TheVil shout out to all my supporting friends and family, customers shout out to my dope designer Chandler Benard check him and his line out @Bernardsociety. Hip Hop Hundred appreciate the love for this interview.
