By: Nick Devor
You’re at some social engagement, you’re well dressed — obviously — and you’re chatting it up with a fellow fashion-forward socialite. You two are getting along great, comparing opinions and hot takes on big-name fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci.
But then they throw you a curveball: “What do you think about *insert name of a brand you have never heard of in your life here*?”
Oh boy.
“Well I really liked what they did last season, but I’m excited to see what else they have to offer,” you say, hoping that the non-answer will suffice.
But no, they keep pressing, asking you questions that rely on having any clue what they are talking about. So what do you do?
Look no further than the Fashion Crash Course!
I am here to update you on new brands making their way into the mainstream, and give some quick pointers to help you have general knowledge of the brand to help you avoid situations like above.
This edition is about Cactus Plant Flea Market (CPFM).
Cactus Plant Flea Market first came into the public eye, as many brands often do, with the help of Pharrell.
Pharrell has a keen eye for brands with a wild and well-developed brand language. He was first seen wearing a CPFM hat with the word “PLANT” in thick white embroidery across the front panels back in 2015.
The hat became part of Pharrell’s look, driving out his Smokey the Bear inspired headwear of the early 2010s’ (the “Happy” music video, anyone?).
The hat gained more attention when Nigo, a longtime friend of Pharrell and creator of A Bathing Ape, fused it with design elements of his brand Human Made. Cactus Plant Flea Market’s reach grew while they were still selling on a bigcartel site. CPFM has worked with other recognizable brands like Anti Social Social Club and Stüssy.
Pharell’s rap group N.E.R.D. collaborated with CPFM, and this would not be the brand’s last time working with a prominent member of the hip-hop.
For the release of his much-awaited album, “Tha Carter V,” Lil Wayne reach out to the brand to create exclusive merchandise for the album. After this, the brand received huge exposure.
The musical guest for the 44th season premiere of Saturday Night Live was Kanye West and alongside him for one performance was Kid Cudi. Cudi wore merchandise for the duo’s new album “Kids See Ghosts.”
Want to guess who designed it? Cactus Plant Flea Market.
Come April, CPFM designed “Kids See Ghosts’” exclusive Coachella line, and the brand’s popularity skyrocketed.
In 2019, Cactus Plant Flea Market collaborated with Nike Footwear — first with a rework of the 2019 Air Vapormax silhouette, then a Blazer Low.
Recently, they combined an Air Force 1 with an Air Max Uptempo. This shoe created buzz when Travis Scott posted it on his Instagram.
With a whole host of collaborative efforts and celebrity co-signs, Cactus Plant Flea Market is poised to be one of the hottest names in streetwear.
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