I ran into Davinci on the first day of Agenda NYC earlier this year. He just happened to be chopping it up with Black Dave right by the sideshow snake lady and her sword swallowing friend. What drew me away from the snake and sword was the new ring Black Dave was rocking, when I asked to get a picture of him with the latest Source issue. Black Dave directed me to Davinci and in turn, a dedicated New Yorker to his art. Davinci was just as concerned with current trends as making timeless pieces. His company has gotten love not just from the streets but well known celebrities in their own right like Ty Dolla $ign, Bada$$ Joey, Bengals WR Marvin Jones Jr., Deniro Ferrar, Steve Aoki, Waka Flocka, and A$AP Ferg. But as we talked at Agenda I could tell that he was still hungry for a lot more. And for that, we applaud you. Peep our interview with the creator below and the slideshow after our Final 4.
You can check out his Tumblr and pick up your own pieces at his website. His instagram is @davinci_nyc.
For those unfamiliar, New Threads is a fresh column we’ll be executing to celebrate independent fashion companies and the minds behind them. A teenager in an American suburb with a dope idea and a few bucks should be given mad props, if they’re due, just like your favorite luxury brand. We’ll pick a creator that deserves your attention and ask him/her a few questions, including our Final Four questions we ask all of our creators for that month. What’s the requirements to be featured on New Threads? Originality and quality. And please, make something you’d wear proudly. Hit us up on Twitter if you know someone who has or you yourself have a dope brand on the rise. Or send us an email to SYLR@thesource.com.
Do you see yourself as a modern day da Vinci? What is it about da Vince that made you adapt his name?
In a sense, yes. I kind of been hearing it all my life. The way I think, the way I move. Davinci is my name actually lol. My mother named me that from birth. She was in love with him. Like Leonardo was his first name. Leonardo is my middle name. I grew up surrounded by art and creativity and learned who he was from a young age. I developed a level of respect for him and the same mentality to be different.
What does it mean to you to have recognized artists rocking your gear?
It’s a humbling feeling because they really see the products for themselves and actually like it. I like that.
Why did you get into the jewelry game as opposed to another accessory like socks or bags? Or do you plan on taking over those as well?
I do plan on making way more than just socks and bags lol. The jewelry game came natural to me. I always liked wearing a cool wrist piece or a chain even if it doesn’t cost $1,000. So when I first made my first bracelets, those who felt the same way supported and it just grew from there. I did make other products that sold really well along the way.
Like the chicken or the egg, what came first, the rollie bracelet or the rollie ring? What was the inspiration for them?
The rollie bracelet is definitely the chicken lol. It gave birth to a bunch of rollie inspired ideas. The ring is just one of them. The inspiration definitely came from the Rolex watch of course, but a little bit more than that. Everyone wants a Rolex, but doesn’t have Rolex money. So you gotta grind and get ya money up right. The rollie bracelets are made to inspire those to get it, whatever “it” maybe: Rolex, car, condos, or even just a good life. Whatever. Go get it!
Your pieces have been featured in a few outfit grids. If you were to create one, what would you include?
My outfit grid from top bottom would be: 1) a good bucket hat (Stussy preferred) 2) 10 Deep button up 3) 2 rollie rings 4) Kith camo twill mercer pants 5)New Balance 998’s red or Vans Sk8 hi’s 6) Goyard cardholder 7) my trusty iPhone and 8) most importantly my tools (in case I got to make or fix a bracelet on site lol). These are things I have on me almost everyday.
