We had the good fortune of connecting with Pax DeLeon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pax, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In all honesty, it happened accidentally. I started out dropping out of college trying to pursue fine art through paintings and those first few years were extremely difficult. In the process of teaching myself new mediums, I learned how to screen print and that was truly the beginning of starting my clothing brand and first business, NONPAX. I was playing around with doodles and drawings and started out printing on shirts and tote bags I had laying around. It was a quick transition to actually wanting to make clothes past printing after that.

When it comes to music, it was another happy accident. I started out with my current label & roster of artists, MHPG Sound, as a graphic designer and photographer. I met them through the internet and after a while met them in person on a trip to New Jersey for a photoshoot for my brand. Over time I started collaborating with each of them individually and managing SPACELI, one of the recording artists of the group. This ultimately led to their board members bringing me on officially, and then as an owner later down the line. Neither of these ventures were planned but a naturally occurring phenomenon.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
NONPAX is Latin for “no peace” and obviously a play on my name. My business partner. Marc Anonuevo, and I make it a point to center ourselves around nostalgia. I’m sure lots of designers gravitate towards inspirations from their past, but I feel like our perspective is a bit unique. I like saying I have always had a nomadic lifestyle, moving around New Jersey and California (Bay Area). There’s so much to take away from having these two different ways of life from lingo, to music, to fashion, and food, it all bleeds into your brain differently and absorbing all that translates into our design work.

Getting to where we currently stand took some time and it was a bunch of roadblocks and obstacles we faced. We barely had any formal training past a few screen-printing courses and a short stint at a fashion trade school. Everything else came from trial & error, finding mentorship in friends around us, and of course YouTube university. There’s so many things on the back end that most people wouldn’t talk about (for obvious reasons, it’s boring haha).

I just want people to know that every decision you make is based on the principles of the areas we grew up in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re in New Jersey go to Mama’s Chicken in Palisades Park, that is the best fried chicken you will ever have in life. When it comes to vibes come to any of the slizzy parties, you’re fisherrr going to have to go to NY more often that NJ. If you’re in the Bay go anywhere DJ Zan or Ricky Lake are performing at, it’ll be the best nightlife experience you’ll get out there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a shoutout to SPACELI. He was one of the first people to trust in my ideas and creative direction. Without him I probably wouldn’t be interested in the music business. Being his manager now has led me to some of the most exciting experiences of my life from live shows, directing music videos, and traveling across the country. I really consider him one of my best friends so go stream his music!

Website: nonpax.com

Instagram: @paxdeleon @nonpax @mhpgsound

Twitter: @paxdeleon

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MHPGSound

Image Credits
402oz, Laura Song, Billy Foote, trendynaj, Rohan4sho, bigbootykev

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