Today we are talking with Ancho who tells us about this wonderful independent brand of clothing and accessories of the skateboarding movement called 23E.
Astrid: How long have you been manufacturing clothing and accessories?
Width: For as long as I can remember, I have always intervened in clothes, whether with markers, brush and paint, tye dye, embroidery, screen printing, etc; For the year 2000 approximately, it was when I began to use the acronym “23e” in my creations, as a personal brand, but they were always personal projects, for family or friends.
In 2009, Priscila Pereira, my partner, life partner and best friend, joined the project… And it was when we achieved the necessary economic and knowledge strength to materialize my dream.
Astrid: What is the main objective of 23e?
Width: Develop aesthetic, quality garments at an affordable price.
Astrid: What is the meaning of the acronym of the brand?
Ancho: It is mainly a date, the place where I come from is called “Parroquia 23 de Enero”, and in each State of Venezuela there is a sector with that name, it represents the date on which a civic-military movement overthrew the Dictatorship of General Marcos Pérez Jiménez in 1958.
Astrid: Where did the idea come from?
Width: Influenced by a skateboard culture of the early 80’s on VHS, music channels such as MTV’s and PumaTV, the weekly URBE, the Graffiti of ORLO and eSc, the Rock concerts in the acoustic shell of Parque del Este, the arrival of Peer-to-Peer and devices to copy compact discs, And a series of other things that maybe I don’t remember now, but that helped form a solid idea of what we want to do, how we want to do it and what tools to use, and nobody is going to change that.
Astrid: Who trains and makes life in the brand?
Width: Mainly, I, who have more than 20 years working as an ant, so that the idea acquires the shape I always dreamed of, then joins the Priscila Pereira brand, and helps me place the brand’s garments on the street, we both make decisions about everything we do for the brand; and along the way they have been adding friends who, practically are already part of our family, who in one way or another, have helped the brand keep its spark burning, among them are Martín Rojas (Almaity), Jeymar Rivas (Jey), Jeyleth Rivas (Jusipot), Lolli Arnaude, Carlos Villamizar and Saúl Torres (Doña Paranoia), Irvin Fuentes, Horaima Martínez, Roberto Molina (Goofy), Francisco Dominguez (Piolin), Alca Mendoza, Trevor DeVenus, Xavier Acuña, Michael DaSilva, Iris Simó, Argenis Ortiz (Mr.Aortiz), Tamgo, Ibsen and Flersy (SoiresNaes), Pedro (SoiresNaes), Ant1 (SoiresNaes), dj h.ache (Hernia), dj Maixtape (Maíz), Trukomandante, Miguel Pargas, Alfredo Ruiz and Norimar Arismendi (Kombinación), and everyone who has made the choir, uploading a photo with a garment or placing the acronym “23e” on their social networks.
Astrid: What would be the impact that this project produces on society?
Width: We try to have a well-marked identity, which in addition to a brand, is seen as a lifestyle, something tangible, good quality clothing, but manufactured by humans, local design, organic materials, etc. In our advertisements we use photos taken by us or friends, the designs of the garments are made by us or by people we know, the people in the photos are not plastic, they are real people, photographers, videomakers, skaters, bikers, plastic artists, tattoo artists, musicians, djs, it is our way of uniting people and that the different disciplines connect with each other.
Astrid: Who is the brand’s accessories primarily aimed at?
Width: It is a matter of attitude, this is streetwear, it is for subcultures, counterculture, people with free spirit, who like music, art, cinema, skateboarding, we make garments that we would like to wear, we do not make specific cuts for an age or weight, most of the clothes are “oversize”, Nor are we running at the speed of trends, if a person feels identified with what we do, it is the only thing they need to use the brand.
Astrid: What is everyone’s job outside the brand?
Width: Priscila is a Professional Pastry Chef, she also has knowledge of Professional Photography, StreetWear, Illustration, Graphic Design and Social Media Management (PriscilaCup and 23e), Me (wide), I am a Professional DJ, I have knowledge of Professional Photography, StreetWear and Illustration, and we both work in parallel with, Martín Rojas (Professional Dj, Photography, StreetWear, Illustration and Graphic Design), Jaymar Rivas (Photography, StreetWear, Illustration and Graphic Design) and Jeyleth Rivas (Photography, StreetWear, Illustration and Graphic Design).
Astrid: For you, what would be the necessary contribution to promote culture in Venezuela?
Broad: Strengthen education, that feeds the desire of young people, to know more, more research is needed, that young people do not settle for what the government or private company offers them, but investigate what lies beyond, that they feel desire to know. By acquiring knowledge, they gain more respect among themselves, it is not only to expect our children to be educated by the school we take them to, but also to strengthen homeschooling, research on the media, what they consume on social networks, etc. That is the main problem of culture; And that at the same time, adults also have tolerance, diversity, change, different cultures, different ways of thinking of young people.
Astrid: What projects does 23e have prepared in the coming months?
Width: In the short term, we are preparing garments for the summer, since we currently have only garments for the winter, Shorts, Crop Tee, Bandanas, Bucket Hats, Five Panels, T-Shirts, etc. new designs and some classics, of course everything, in the monochromatic that characterizes our brand. And in the long term, we would like to be able to reach a wider audience, to raise the capital needed to hold free events, sponsor low-income skateboarders or be able to donate skateparks and skateplazas, to areas where politicians never reach.
For me it is a pleasure to have done this interview and I hope you enjoyed it. I invite you to follow 23E on their social networks.
Social media:Facebook: 23e
Instagram:
@23e______
@pris23esk8
@ancho23e