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

Hi Tim, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my clothing business MANDEM in 2016 as an outlet for my thoughts following the passing of my mother. During this process, I chose to further establish and legitimize the brand as i began receiving positive feedback. My thought process was that as long as I liked the work i was making, maybe someone else out there would too.

What should our readers know about your business?
MANDEM is a streetwear brand that specializes in delivering quality upper midrange-priced footwear & apparel that differs from other contemporary brands by calling upon both nostalgic hip-hop culture cues and high fashion concepts at a time where most produce one or the other. Although not even close to where i want to be, i have gotten as far as i have by focusing all my energy and resources into delivering product that is considered more difficult to release to retail. It is very challenging running a clothing line with a limited network and capital, but I am beyond proud of my team and myself for fighting to bring these ideas to fruition and attempt to make a living off of constant creativity and the will to succeed. I have learned that i have chosen a very fickle market that often chews and spits out creatives on a daily basis, and because of this, it is vital to find success and happiness in the process of creation rather than to chase the attention and validation of peers. If asked about MANDEM or Tim Ford, I would like the world to know that my story is not unique compared to anyone else’s. I’m just trying to find my way through life just like you but I’m trying to do it through art and i don’t mind putting the art out for ridicule or adulation because im doing this for my own peace of mind.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my late mother Kendra Taylor, she was always one of the only people to truly support my dreams and the decisions i made along the way. Without her, there is no brand and there is no me.

Website: https://Mandemworldwide.com

Instagram: @mandemworld

Image Credits
Photos taken by Turtle & JackJohn for MANDEM Worldwide

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.