Brand designers with a meaning for the consumer are certainly hard to come by, but Chuk Ome certainly qualifies as one. Chuk Ome, the 22 year old Houston raised Stylist, fashion designer and creator of the brand veterans only. has a specific vision for anyone who wears his clothes, “anyone who wears my clothes… i want you to have that feeling, the feeling of being too good at dressing, everytime.” not only because of the brand name, but also the detail he puts into the outerwear. which could stem from the color contrast of his clothes using a “magenta with beige”, or the way he chooses to have a stitch outline around the border of each crevice on his jacket. this attention to detail leaves whoever wearing his clothing always surprised at something they never seen before when they wore it the last time.
Chuk Ome was first inspired to create around his freshman year of college . “i started wanting to create a brand when i’d see a design i’d like, yea this design is tough but if you would add this stitch here or pocket there, this would be way crazier, and i began to do this often.” is what Chuk says. Being inspired by brands such as Hood by Air, Acne studios, Vetements, Raf Simmons and Yeezy. Chuk always knew the feeling he wanted to portray to the consumers and viewers he says. “i don’t want the stuff i wear to be loud, i want it to be loudly suttle, someone who dresses like that, looks like someone who knows what they’re doing….. they’re a vet.
With this vision this is how the brand name Veterans Only, came to be. After creating the name and having the vision for the brand, his hardest obstacle has been finding the right manufacturer whos “honest” as he would say. many manufacturers who have already produced for house hold names like gucci or Louis, will usually try to “finesse” an upcoming brand. doing things like overcharging or giving false dates for when products will be done which will then will flake or disappear on you. Chuks advice for anyone who’s looking to begin would be, “go to a small manufacturer…. someone’s who’s just as humble as you are, in terms of like, where you are as a brand, and build that relationship with them, because you’ll be their number one client who they can progress with…….they’ll give you their best work.”
