I have respect for those who do big things but stay small, don’t fall under the pressure to run to the spotlight like others and lose their integrity from when they first started. That’s what brings us here today with a Q&A with independent sneaker honcho’s Jason Bass and Miss MDot of JB CLASSICS LAB® and First Lady Miss MDot, the new face of female footwear of Booji Shoes. I was privileged enough to speak with these two on the footwear industry, their thoughts on bootlegging, and styling President-Elect Obama.

- I was first introduced to JB Classics back in 2003, by then you were already a figure in the sneaker world. What drove you to get into the business?

Jason-

I’ve always said in the past to fulfill avoid in the footwear industry, since for the most part at the beginning there was a huge void & lack of creativity, it was very flat. After about seven years or so focused in the footwear industry. It’s more about conquering unknown territory for us mixed with a creative outlook to achieve projects & products that we are happy with.

- They say great minds think together, how did JB and Mdot join forces?

Jason-

It happened in 04, we just clicked for all the same & right reasons, Miss M has brought a great perspective to the brand, and we since became partners, we have shared both the creative visions & brand directions, which is a dream, come true. As well the twist and turns, ups and downs involved with running an independent company.

- JB Classics is probably the most well-known independent sneaker brand in the streetwear world. How do you maintain that respect?

Jason-

We thank you for the acknowledgement, since day 1 of 2001, I’ve been buried focusing on the goals & challenge’s we set in front of us. I think we can say with confidence that the dues we have paid and the doors we have opened have not been handed to us.

Mdot-

By keeping it raw and unfiltered. It’s transparent that what we put out is…what we want to put out. We do it for the process, not for just the sales numbers. We do not comply with a fixed standard or expected way; we take it one step above.

- As an independent brand that has global presence, what are your concerns about bootlegging and how do you prevent it?

Jason-

It’s tough, we do our best to control the vendors we work with, sometime it’s extremely difficult to predict leaks in your suppliers until its too late, thou both M and I travel to our factories personally every few months to do our best to keep things straight.

Mdot-

Basically, we trust NO BODY!!

As for concerns, making visits to the street markets, material markets, and the late nite street markets near your manufacturer/material vendors is where you see what’s really going on.

- JB Classics Lab recently did collaboration with RIDE SNOWBOARDS releasing a JB Snowboard boot; will you be putting your hands into the world of extreme sports and what’s next for JB Classics collaborations?

Jason-

Yes definitely, it started with the release of the DC Shoes project about 1 or 2 years ago, than RIDE presented M and I with there Society Program project (Board, Boot, Binding Combo). Both Skating & Snowboarding are a huge part of my life for as long as I remember. We are excited to continue working within the industry and have decided to open our thoughts into JB LABS Branding Agency, which is currently in motion, giving us the opportunity to work with brands that we respect behind the scenes.

View collection here

- Any chances of there being JB Classics apparel in the future?

Yes, their will be and we promise you when it comes, it will remain elite and not for everyone.

- Tell us more about PRIME LABEL collection?

Jason-

Basically M. sparked the idea of creating the quality/ mid price point competitive PRIME LABEL, because we were getting ripped off / under cut by new start ups and mega brands who were faking the funk on the consumers on what quality & craftsmanship is all about. We would release a PREMIUM handcrafted, all genuine material model, and others would bite that idea flip it to synthetic materials or mid grade materials and sell it as if its PREMIUM. This is what the marketplace is all about margins and profits, at the end of day, you need to have your integrity or cash to mask your fake funk. With that said, we continue to define our brand by building both our PREMIUM and PRIME LABELS giving our consumers & retailers an honest shake on what they are purchasing & why.

Mdot-

I’d like to add; The JB Prime LabelTM is comparable to the larger giants and some of other smaller brands Premium Labels, when it comes to quality, craftsmanship, and integrity. Our brand was built on the wave of exclusive and rare sneakers/trainers, and as we stayed true to this, we watched big giants flood the market with over saturation, cutting corners in the construction of the product, focusing on the hype, and re-release after release, canceling out the value. So the days of $200 exclusive rare trainers started to become more and more obsolete. However, we continued to enhance & push the boundaries with our JB Premium Label, and introduced the new Prime LabelTM to fulfill our growing audience. When we say Collectible, it truly is & always will be. So with our Prime label, we give craftsmanship, quality, and integrity and with no gimmicks or lies. When a Prime label model is sold out, that’s it, no matter how much demand there is, we will not re-produce it. We stick to our heritage and find new ways to get our product out there to a larger audience.

- You and Peter Fahey of Sneaker Pimps have had a long relationship on the world tours, how did that come about?

Jason - Pete is straight up dude & a friend, we met right after his 1^st show in Sydney and have been close ever since.

Mdot - Pete is family, since day one and the SP crew too!!

View JB Classics Sneaker Pimp project here

There’s been an explosion of brands such as Made Me, Hellz Bellz and Married to the Mob, along with the release of your brand, Booji Shoes, you’re providing a great addition to the women’s streetwear. Do you feel that female brands are finally getting the respect and notification they deserve?

Mdot-

Honestly, I just think their has been an explosion of brands overall! Some of the females stepped up to the plate and have been shining ever since and deserve the recognition and then there are female streetwear brands that get credit just because they are girls! That’s pretty lame! Regardless of gender, designers should be praised for their innovation in their designs and voice.

Thanks for the props on Booji and lining up Booji with brands that definitely made their place through the designs, identity and innovation, not just for being females!

- What’s next for Booji Shoes?

Mdot-

Be on the lookout for a full range of products. We will definitely be bringing more responsible/green products as well. To always consider the environmental footprint of the materials that go into the creation.

- With the current state of economy, financial advisors agree that this is a great time for entrepreneurs. Have you seen a difference in work ethnic and sales?

Mdot-

The current state of the economy is a freaking disaster globally! It’s a great time for big corporate CEO’s, if you ask me.

Our work ethnics here at JB Classics, have always remained the same, toughest around, regardless of the economy. We think big, & stay small!

- What public figure would you like to style with a pair of sneakers?

Mdot- Barack Obama, hands down!!

- JB Classics began experimenting with before brighter colors and graphics numerous brands. Is there a look and feel that you try to capture in each pair?

Jason-

They’re all sparked with the individual moods between conversations that M and I would have or conversations with close friends, we keep in mind the fundamentals of visual balance, composition and details, and do our best to evolve from season to season.

Mdot-

And always to keep it Original, not a re-run of what’s been put out already!!

We thank you for the support!