Features
style
Marlon Raichel
Sneaktip Founder
"Now that I'm old enough to choose for myself I have chosen SNEAKTIP as my path and I leave the rest up to GOD..." Marlon Raichel
Who’d have known the Russian Mafia would spawn the creative mastermind behind a brand like The Sneaktip? Marlon Raichel gets down to the bone about his family, growing up and where he’s taking his brand in the future.
Your life story sounds pretty crazy. Tell us about the Russian Mafia background in your family…
I would have to say check out Karmalooptv.com for the interview and for the record it's not something I chose but was born into... That was a decision made by my pops and it was to better our life as well as for all the Russian Jews that immigrated to America in the 70's. Now that I'm old enough to choose for myself I have chosen SNEAKTIP as my path and I leave the rest up to GOD...
You also speak candidly about your struggle with cocaine and heroin addiction, how long ago did you win your battle with addiction?
I would have to say it’s a lifetime battle and I fight it one day at a time by keeping it real and not choosing to close the door on my past but learn from it. I surround myself with loved ones and people that are positive in life and take time to make decisions then take action on them and most important I decided that my life was spared when I lost my first cousin Mike Raichel to this battle of addiction. The legacy our fathers built is now on my shoulders to live out so I keep that in front of me every step I take in life today.
At what point in your life did you get SneakTip happening?
I was in a really tough point in my life and my cousin Russ aka SSUR gave me a chance to work for his brand. This was when I started to see the whole side of underground fashion known as ‘streetwear’ today. He then introduced me to a friend of his who had a sneaker shop in my hood. I met him and said I could take this to the next level and he gave me a partnership in the shop. After a year of working there I realized that this Sneaker culture was missing a brand that was dedicated to key elements that stemmed from the actual designs in Sneakers as well as the lifestyle behind the culture. There is a trade show called Magic that takes place in Vegas twice a year and I approached them to create this exclusive section for streetwear in 2006 and that's when and where we launched SneakTip. How has the brand developed from when it started to where it is today?
It has come full circle in all areas and today we offer a wide range of products that represent the lifestyle we live. We first started with tees and some hoodies, now SneakTip offers today's consumer everything from Tech Windbreakers, New Era Caps, Towels, Sweat pants, Bubble Vests, Track Jackets. SneakTip has chosen to go for the sportswear market and has street credibility behind it so you can see where we are headed for the year ahead.
With the current global economic crisis looming how do you see this potentially affecting The SneakTip? What steps are you taking to prepare for the recession?
I don't see it affecting the market we are going after and to better prepare the brand to be able to elevate in troubled economic times we restructured our business plan and are offering everything in the SneakTip collection for under $100 retail. SneakTip is also targeting a new distribution and feels that this decision will allow the brand to excel at a speed that will take other brands years to catch up to us.
How many people do you have working on Sneaktip?
Sneaktip’s team consists of 10 elite personnel and countless extended family through different distribution teams all over the world.
With so many brands cluttering up the market, what in your opinion defines a good streetwear label?
Diversity, concept, style, quality, hard work and price point.
What is your plan for SneakTip over the next five years?
Design, Sell, Produce, Market and reach the masses. The plan is on the SneakTip but you will be able to see it unfold in its true form as seasons change.
Outside of SneakTip are you involved in any other projects?
Yes, No, maybe so…
Is there a particular genre of music that you think defines the SneakTip attitude?
HIP-HOP TO THE FULLEST...
Last but not least BROOKLYN WE GO HARD!!!
Check out SneakTip at thesneaktip.com
Back
I would have to say check out Karmalooptv.com for the interview and for the record it's not something I chose but was born into... That was a decision made by my pops and it was to better our life as well as for all the Russian Jews that immigrated to America in the 70's. Now that I'm old enough to choose for myself I have chosen SNEAKTIP as my path and I leave the rest up to GOD...
You also speak candidly about your struggle with cocaine and heroin addiction, how long ago did you win your battle with addiction?
I would have to say it’s a lifetime battle and I fight it one day at a time by keeping it real and not choosing to close the door on my past but learn from it. I surround myself with loved ones and people that are positive in life and take time to make decisions then take action on them and most important I decided that my life was spared when I lost my first cousin Mike Raichel to this battle of addiction. The legacy our fathers built is now on my shoulders to live out so I keep that in front of me every step I take in life today.
At what point in your life did you get SneakTip happening?
I was in a really tough point in my life and my cousin Russ aka SSUR gave me a chance to work for his brand. This was when I started to see the whole side of underground fashion known as ‘streetwear’ today. He then introduced me to a friend of his who had a sneaker shop in my hood. I met him and said I could take this to the next level and he gave me a partnership in the shop. After a year of working there I realized that this Sneaker culture was missing a brand that was dedicated to key elements that stemmed from the actual designs in Sneakers as well as the lifestyle behind the culture. There is a trade show called Magic that takes place in Vegas twice a year and I approached them to create this exclusive section for streetwear in 2006 and that's when and where we launched SneakTip. How has the brand developed from when it started to where it is today?
It has come full circle in all areas and today we offer a wide range of products that represent the lifestyle we live. We first started with tees and some hoodies, now SneakTip offers today's consumer everything from Tech Windbreakers, New Era Caps, Towels, Sweat pants, Bubble Vests, Track Jackets. SneakTip has chosen to go for the sportswear market and has street credibility behind it so you can see where we are headed for the year ahead.
With the current global economic crisis looming how do you see this potentially affecting The SneakTip? What steps are you taking to prepare for the recession?
I don't see it affecting the market we are going after and to better prepare the brand to be able to elevate in troubled economic times we restructured our business plan and are offering everything in the SneakTip collection for under $100 retail. SneakTip is also targeting a new distribution and feels that this decision will allow the brand to excel at a speed that will take other brands years to catch up to us.
How many people do you have working on Sneaktip?
Sneaktip’s team consists of 10 elite personnel and countless extended family through different distribution teams all over the world.
With so many brands cluttering up the market, what in your opinion defines a good streetwear label?
Diversity, concept, style, quality, hard work and price point.
What is your plan for SneakTip over the next five years?
Design, Sell, Produce, Market and reach the masses. The plan is on the SneakTip but you will be able to see it unfold in its true form as seasons change.
Outside of SneakTip are you involved in any other projects?
Yes, No, maybe so…
Is there a particular genre of music that you think defines the SneakTip attitude?
HIP-HOP TO THE FULLEST...
Last but not least BROOKLYN WE GO HARD!!!
Check out SneakTip at thesneaktip.com
Back
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