Greg Parker and Drake Newsome of Fli Publican got started by making clothes for themselves, but soon the label was launched into a full blown urban wear line and is evolving into a chic collection. The duo call it street luxury— a blend of fabrics and inspiration from labels such as YSL, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo combined with street staples such as jeans and chucks (or Chuck Taylors).
“You can see it with the material we use. We might use ostrich on a book bag , crocodile or sting ray,” says. Newsome. “We bring luxury to something we wear everyday.”
The team began using exotic textile s in 2010 and they say fans have been very receptive. Fli Pelican received the Atlanta 30 under 30 Award in 2011. It’s no surprise the enterprising ideas attracted the attention of Lil’ Wayne who wore a Fli Pelican hoodie on the cover of XXL. The brand has garnered a big celebrity following including Wiz Khalifa, Bangladesh, Wale, Verse Simmons, Travis Porter, Sammie, Waka Flocka Yo Gotti, Boy Wonder, and more. The shirt Lil Wayne wore on the cover of XXL was an already popular item and after the rapper wore it Parker says it took the brand to a new level.
The shirt started a movement including snapbacks, backpacks, hoodies and other urban staples with the slogan and hash tag printed on them. The now popular saying started out as a phrase Newsome and Parker bounced off each other as a way to get their point across. The idea came from the “Runnin’ Sh*t” t-shirt that Nino Corleone, the designer, came up with. The shirt was the first time a hash tag was used on Fli Pelican wear and it stuck. Parker attributes the success of Fli Publican to their hard work and desire to make something out of nothing.
“This is all we do. We don’t do anything else,” Parker says. “I wake up every morning and I don’t do anything else. There is nothing else to do. Over the years we get more and more responsibility”
They admit they may lose sleep staying up all night designing, but the business aspect is helping them realize their dreams. As a result of the team’s dedication growth is steady. They are now gearing up to take the clothes to the same streets inspiring the brand. Newsome says getting the word out is a strategic process.
”We are getting out and touching the people ourselves. Putting events together and touching the right people. Contacting the right stores,” Newsome says. “We make sure we put them in the right boutiques with the right mix of brands that doesn’t compromise our brand for what it is. We also are always on twitter talking to our fans.”
You can find Fli Pelican in Fly in Tampa and Arizona, Shogun in Texas, Vinnie Styles in New York, Flyy KIX in Atlanta and fans can also check out the latest collections at the Atlanta based showroom. They recently took their Live Wealthy movement overseas, a business move Parker and Newsome are excited about.
“We have received a lot of request from Japan, and we’re looking to expand,” Newsome says. “We need to go out and get store accounts, not only that, but broaden our horizons. Most of us are from the South. It’s time to broaden our horizons and see something totally different. We have to come back to the drawing board and execute an artistic plan to cater to them (fans) and a business plan to help them understand our brand. We have to me back and come up with a plan for them.”
Parker is also working on new items inspired by the luxury and conservative look of more preppy lines such as LaCoste. Parkers, Live Wealthy cashmere cardigan includes turtle shell buttons and Live Wealthy print on the back. The look is part of their expansion and while Newsome and Parker aren’t opposed to taking risk on clothes, the young entrepreneurs never forget Fli Pelican is a business.
“When you look at clothing you have to look at like music. Everything has to be a hit,” Newsome says. “These are all number one singles and I stand behind it. You gotta keep putting out hits; no whack songs.”
Visit and shop Fli Pelican at www.flipelicans.com