Weekly Spotlight: Alador & Smith

Bold And Big

Alador & Smith (A&S) is not your typical graphic t-shirt line. Founded by New York natives, Pascal Alouidor and Derek Smith, Steve Cover, Phillip Shung and Jamal Reid, A&S distinctively combines contemporary art with today’s urban trends and is designed to target the swaggeriffic and those who are undaunted to add color to their wardrobe. Through the use of various bold and bright hues (such as blues, oranges, greens and purples just to name a few), A&S has concocted a unique blend of often overlooked colors. These shades are then accentuated with oversized words and/or graphics; thus cementing the line’s eccentricity, and undoubtedly catching one’s eye. The A&S line was originally created for males between the ages of 18 – 35, and consists of graphic tees, polo shirts, thermals and hoodies; but now also features ladies clothing.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Pascal Alouidor (Chief Designer) and Steve Cover and get to know a little more about Alador and Smith:

Q: How did the team meet?
A: (Steve) Well, we’ve been friends now for about 15 years; and we all met at a gathering at Howard University. We were just talking, and then we all realized that we could possibly start a clothing line and we decided to be partners and do that.

Q: When was the birth of the A& S line and how did you get your start in the business?
A: (Pascal) Well, Alador & Smith, the concept of the line, came about in 2005. I graduated from The School of Visual Arts; then I interned at Tommy Hilfiger, then Triple 5 Soul, and then at Phat Farm. After doing all those internships I thought, “man….I should do my own line”.

Q: Have you always seen yourself as a designer and having your own line?
A: (Pascal) I always saw myself as a designer, but I never really thought I’d have my own line. When I was an intern, I would always improve other people’s designs and put my own spin on it. That’s what led me to believe in having my own line.
(Steve) It was something we all thought about at one point but not until we discussed it did we decide to just go ahead and do it.

Q: Where were you and what were you doing the first time you saw someone rocking your creations? What went through your head?
A: (Pascal) Um…..Aw man….I was actually at my day job. I saw the ’06 Issue of XXL Magazine. It was an “up and coming” piece. Our clothes were featured in it and it felt good. It was then that I realized I had found a lane and it motivated me to do more.

Q: How do you all come up with the designs? What’s that process like? How do you all determine what designs make the cut and which ones don’t?
A: (Pascal) Random sights; random ideas from daily scenery; conversations – ideas are all around you. I know a design is good because I just get a gut feeling about it. And once any of us gets an idea, it goes through the whole group. It’s a group decision. Every idea is a good one; you just have to make it work.

A&S apparel is currently available in boutiques and high end retail stores in Montreal, New York, Japan and Los Angeles. Don’t see your place of residence listed? Don’t fret….they have an online store that boasts their reasonably priced (under $100) garments as well. Shop for him or her at aladorandsmith.com/store. The designers will also be showcasing their line at the annual Bread & Butter Exhibit in Barcelona, Spain in January 2009.
Whether you’re a backpacker, a G, a diva or an around the way girl, Alador & Smith has something to suit your style.