Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop and fashion talent. Today's guest is designer, Lotto Teezy. Lotto is straight outta Chicago where he leads the streetwear brand Rebel. Society World Tour. His influences are derived from hip hop and streetwear icons such as Virgil Abloh, Kanye West, and Jerry Lorenzo. The Chicago designer has been on our radar for a while so we had to tap in with him! Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, Lottto? Your style is dope. When did you start your fashion career?
Lotto: My fashion career started in 2020.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! How did your early childhood shape your interest in fashion?
Lotto: It started early for me because when I was younger my Dad was a very sharp dresser and always used to take me and my big brother to the tailor shops and from there I began playing with different fabrics and he always use to tell us to dress and match from the stitching.
Westleaf Staff: Shout out to your pops for keeping you fly. So who is your biggest fashion influence?
Lotto: Virgil Abloh, Murda Bravado ,KANYE WEST, Jerry Lorenzo and Don C are the ones who inspired me to do Fashion.
Westleaf Staff: I love that. Those are some legends. What's been the defining moment in your fashion career?
Lotto: I been Grinding for a while but the Most defining moment was when the actor Bart who plays reg in season 1 of the Chi Tv show reached out to me to get some merch and he followed me and gave me a S/o. He was the first celebrity and actor to reach out to me and then my other defining moment was when I made The Chicago Wave platform and now being on The Westleaf is pretty cool. I use everything good that fuels me to keep going.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope. I'm glad you're inspired to do more! Fast fashion or slow fashion?
Lotto: Fast fashion that Grows on people and builds longevity.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! That's an interesting choice. What does fashion mean to you?
Lotto: Fashion mean everything to me. It’s something that all races love. You can also express yourself and different moods you're in. It makes you feel good when you're loving your look and it’s also a very important thing in society and it’s a way of life for me.
Westleaf Staff: So cool! So how did you start your fashion brand?
Lotto: Well I started my clothing brand off an idea and then I did a lot of research on how to run one and then I went and bought a press machine, a vinyl printer circuit machine, and a Sewing machine.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! Much respect. How does fashion shape the world around us?
Lotto: Fashion is shaping our world and is a very important thing in society and sports and magazines as well. You also can get endorsements and. you can become a brand ambassador and it’s something every one has love for.
Westleaf Staff: That's deep! Where do you see your fashion career going over the next few years?
Lotto: I see my clothing brand becoming one of the biggest clothing brands not only in Chicago but worldwide and I see my clothing brand being in big fashion shows in Paris and New York Fashion Week.
Westleaf Staff: I wish you much success this year! Before we go, what advice do you have for future fashion designers?
Lotto: My advice to the Younger Generation is if there’s anything in life you tryna do start somewhere and Stay consistent with it. Have a real passion for it and believe in yourself. It’s cool to take advice from ppl but it’s your dream, your talent, and your vision at the end of the day and only you can be the greatest version of yourself.
Follow Lotto:
Instagram - @freeworldlotto , @rebelsocietyworldtour.
