Nissue #26: Prep Curry, Clothing Designer.
I first heard about Prep Curry after reading about his collaboration with Banana Republic in Complex earlier this year and was immediately struck by his style and warmth. His bold floral prints were a burst of fun at a time when the world felt monotone, and I snatched up one of his signature jackets from the limited collection (you can see me attempting to look fresh and cool below) right away.
I also did the internet thing and started to borderline stalk Prep in an attempt to get him to agree to one of my interviews. A self-taught designer and a true gentleman, he agreed to it with a smile, and that says loads about his charm and approachability. Personally, I’m just getting Prep-ared to see what he does next.
Nish: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Prep: I’m a simple person, so to me perfect happiness is having your bills on autopay and not being worried about if your bank account overdrafts.
Nish: What was your worst job ever?
Prep: Canteen vending, so filling up vending machines in various office buildings, warehouses, etc.
Nish: What was your first job ever?
Prep: I was 14 years old and worked at a church, cleaning up Monday-Friday and receiving $50 every two weeks.
Nish: What was your best job ever?
Prep: I probably would say that my best job was working in the IT department at Regional Adjustment Bureau. I was young, making a lot of money at an office job, and was in a position that I was thankful for because I didn’t have my degree at the time.
[Editor’s note: For some reason, Prep first read the next 2 questions as admire, not deplore — even after giving him a chance to change his answers, he decided to keep them as is. I liked that about him, perhaps we could all be a little more positive like Prep]…
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Prep: Perseverance and the willingness to push forward, non-stop without quitting despite any obstacles that come my way and being a fighter.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Prep: The same that I have for myself, which is perseverance and keeping a positive outlook.
Nish: What’s some advice you’d give to yourself at 23?
Prep: I would tell myself to not listen to others that try to discourage you from your dreams. I would have started my business a lot sooner and not have allowed others to push their fears onto my thoughts.
Nish: What is your greatest extravagance?
Prep: Being charismatic and a people person.
Nish: You have exclusive dinner reservations for 4, excluding family and close friends, who are the 3 people (alive, dead or imaginary) you’d invite?
Prep: LeBron, Kanye, and Barack.
Nish: What is the theme song of your professional life?
Prep: Survivor - Eye of the Tiger!
Nish: What is your motto?
Prep: Never get too high, never get too low.
Nish: What is something you’re really excited about right now?
Prep: My future and all the opportunities that are coming my way. I now have a platform and am being noticed by not only consumers but brands as well. This is allowing me to use my light as part of my platform, now that I’m in a position where people will listen to what I have to say and that God has given me an avenue for change to encourage and inspire others.
End Interview.
