'Clothing Collaboration': Entrepreneur and Artists bounce back from pandemic with joint project
NYC Stylz is a fixture on Richmond Row in London, Ont. but COVID-19 has taken its toll on long-time owner Dave McCallum.
Since the pandemic began, he's been forced to close his shop for five months, had a rash of break-ins, and even had to board up his store.
"I went back to selling out of my vehicle and delivering clothes out of my car like the old days," said McCallum, who has owned the business for 20 years.
While his doors were closed, a recommendation by Downtown London's Kathy McLaughlin led him to local artist Brad Biederman. Biederman painted a mural on the outside NYC Stylz, which started a trend of other boarded up facades turning into murals.Brad Biederman painted a mural in 2020 on the exterior of NYC Stylz in London, Ont. while the store was boarded up during the pandemic. (Brent Lale / CTV News)A year later, that collaboration has morphed into a partnership.
"It's like the artist meets the entrepreneur type thing and we can work together," said. McCallum, who has since purchased eight designs from Biederman and one from Fanshawe student Sarah Wing, and put them on t-shirts at his shop.
"This is a great way for me to promote my own illustrations as I don't really have any physical places to put my art right now," said Wing, a third-year graphic design student. "So this is the only place I can do it right now, other than on Instagram so this is great for me."London Artist Sarah Wing, shows off her design on a tee-shirt at NYC Stylz in London, Ont. (Brent Lale / CTV News)Biederman has mural artwork throughout London, but calls this “an honour,” adding, "This is a little embarrassing, but I have driven by the building just to see my shirt on a mannequin through the window, at least once or twice," said Biederman, whose Instagram handle is @wiingillustration.
The partnership is off to a great start, with shirts selling across Canada and orders coming from as far as Bermuda and Jamaica.
With a hip-hop and streetwear vibe, McCallum even had Biederman customize the interior walls of his shop.
"We wanted to brighten it up and we picked the right colors and the right teams and I let Brad basically do what he wanted on the inside of the shop," said McCallum. "I liked his initial design, and said 'let's go do it.”London Artist Brad Biederman, stands in front of one of the tee-shirts with his design on it at NYC Stylz in London, Ont. (Brent Lale / CTV News)During the pandemic, many freelance artists have been on opposite ends of the spectrum. Either they have no work, or more than they ever have.
"Myself, I've gotten more work," said Biederman. "More people have been interested in my prints, but on the flip side of that, being able to go out and find walls for graffiti has been a little tougher. I'm not very comfortable going into businesses and cold calling, so getting that type of work has been on the downswing for me."
Through tough times, the new collaboration has given a renewed hope after 20 years in business.
"It's actually given me a little bit of a spark because it made me feel like when I first opened the shop," said McCallum.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.