MEET EMPIRE COLLECTION DESIGNER, JORDAN PRINCE
Get to know the rising design star combining streetwear and luxury tailoring
Jordan Prince is the next Generation Z designer we’re keeping an eye out for. The budding talent is giving a new meaning to streetwear culture, as he fuses his admiration for streetwear clothing with his technical tailoring skills. Prince has taken it upon himself to merge the two juxtaposed worlds to create his brand Empire Collection.
Launching the brand in 2015, with an autumn/winter collection, the young East London designer and entrepreneur is now set to open a pop-up store in Selfridges. He is also launching his brand internationally, as he prepares for the opening of Empire Collection’s boutique concept, located in the sneaker emporium Nous Paris, located in the French capital.
_shift caught up with Jordan Prince to find out the story behind his brand.
Originally, Prince aspired to be a sportsman, pursuing a boxing career. However, after being kicked out of many of his school classes, he discovered his passion for streetwear. With that in mind, the young creative took it upon himself to force his way back into education by funding classes at London College of Fashion. And it paid off. By studying fashion pattern cutting, fashion design and business at the college, he learnt the fundamental skills which got him where he is today.
“After working here and there for different tailors I ended up in Savile Row, famous for its high end menswear and tailored suits. As I was getting this experience the brand was more of a side thing whilst I was working and broadening my skills in design before combining the two,” explains Prince.
“I was more into streetwear and it was just the need and want for some type of exclusivity so it was more of a selfish act"
Although it was his enthusiasm for streetwear culture that drove him to succeed with his brand, Prince wanted to prove a point. Streetwear and luxury tailoring are traditionally two different categories in fashion. But, in today’s more open-minded climate there is a market to incorporate the two and make it work. For Empire Collection the answer is only using the best fabrics and materials. Prince picks quality over quantity.
“I was more into streetwear and it was just the need and want for some type of exclusivity so it was more of a selfish act. I just wanted to have something no one else had,” Prince says.
Empire Collection was a passion project for Prince as the brand’s story initially began with him wanting to have one-of-a-kind garments. However, being a consumer himself, he saw a pattern emerge with streetwear brands such as Supreme and Bape as they began to lose their unique edge. This was due to the streetwear trend flourishing so successfully in recent years, and of course the concept of re-selling. For this reason he ensured Empire customers would stand out from the crowd with a limited range of each product available.
“I wanted something that is completely and totally original. You could say that is what initially started my adventure in streetwear. I want the consumers to know that once the collection has dropped and is available, it won’t come back again once it is sold out. I want to keep that exclusive culture.”
However, after meeting with Jordan Prince and hearing his journey, it is clear that there is more than just individuality to each product. From the materials used to the silhouettes of the clothing, the collection shows strength and power throughout, symbolising the narrative of the designer.
“I didn’t go down the conventional route like all the other designers. I had no initial education and experience within the industry. So it is my take and interpretation of fashion, especially streetwear. And with that I pushed myself to get that education for myself and solidify what I am doing.”
"I connote through my clothing that the consumer can always get higher and stronger like the representation of my own personal journey into the industry”
“I wanted the clothing to to signify strength. The aesthetics I try to implement with the brand is always stuff that is hierarchy orientated or strong-minded. For example, on the latest collection the blood diamond t-shirt has war imagery with the brand name in diamonds. I connote through my clothing that the consumer can always get higher and stronger like the representation of my own personal journey into the industry,” Prince explained.
Prince gave _shift some insight into what to expect next from his brand. Throwing around ideas of more pop-ups around London, and branding events to thank his customers, Prince is keen to show his gratitude to those who have supported him and Empire Collection.
Prince also runs a pattern cutting and garment sampling service for new designers called Bespoke Patterns. Find out more on the Bespoke Patterns Instagram account.
Click here to see Empire’s latest collection.