EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Japhy
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Japhy
What's your role at Vapor95?
Chief Production Officer / Designer
What do your day-to-day operations look like and what's your schedule usually through the day?
Every day is vastly different for me, which is what I really love about my job. My primary responsibility is overseeing the production and fulfillment of all of our graphic shirts and sweaters and making sure that everything is running smoothly. Since we just started printing in-house last year, it's an entirely new system for us, and naturally filled with plenty of challenges and obstacles, which require new creative solutions regularly. In addition to running this operation with my team, I also get to take part in fun creative projects like photo and video shoots, doing set design and directing, and am currently designing some exciting new cut-and-sew garments for Vapor that should be coming to our store sometime this year.
What did you do before Vapor95?
Before connecting with Vapor95, I was working in digital marketing for fashion brands here in Downtown LA.
How did you end up working with Vapor95?
I first met the Vapor family when I modeled in a video shoot back in 2018. We immediately hit it off, and I started helping out with little things here and there before coming on full time.
What are your passions and interests?
I love all forms of creative expression and try to push myself to at least try to bring any idea in my head to fruition. Whether it's music, painting, writing, sewing, interpretive dancing. Even if it mostly turns out pretty bad, that's all part of the fun haha. Just suck until you don't.
Everyone at Vapor95 has a creative hobby. What's yours?
Primarily, making music is my favorite hobby. I started playing in metal bands at a young age, and while the music I write has evolved a lot since my high school days, I still get the same thrill every time something I heard in my head comes together in Logic.
Could you tell us more about what you're creating/working on right now?
Right now, my main focus is working with River to create a brand new line of custom cut and sewn coats, jackets, pants, etc. for Vapor95 fans. The designs and prototypes we've been developing are extremely exciting and unique. Get ready!!
What has been your favorite part about working at Vapor95?
My favorite part would have to be the environment and culture of Vapor95. Everyone I get to work with is so passionate and inspiring to me and it's so exciting to watch this brand grow as we learn and rise to meet new challenges together.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I've never been able to see that far ahead. I have no idea where I'll even be next year, but I know it's going to be far better than anything I could try to project.
What are your top three albums to listen to while you work?
Black Marble - It's Immaterial
STRFKR - Being No One, Going Nowhere
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
What are your top three favorite movies?
Howl's Moving Castle
Reservoir Dogs
The Godfather
How would your co-workers describe you in a few words?
Oh I don't know, hopefully chill and nice
What's something you've never told your co-workers before?
That they're all the best people I know and I'm so blessed to get to do this thing with them.
(I've probably told them this a bunch of times but it never hurts to repeat)
What advice do you have for someone who wants to work in a creative, dynamic environment like a startup or a fashion brand?
It probably isn't the environment for anyone who wants to just clock in and clock out every day. If you really want to build something from nothing, it takes at least a small team of people who are on the same page about doing whatever it takes to make it happen. Be ready to sacrifice parts of your social life, sleep schedule, etc. at times. I can promise it's worth it, though. There's nothing so satisfying as seeing something you put so much hard work into come to life and grow.
What message do you have for the Vapor95 fans and customers reading this?
I'm just so grateful for every single person who likes what we do and supports us. We're all together what makes Vapor95 a thing, and it's a really special thing, I think. Seriously, thank you so much. You're probably really cool and I hope to meet you someday.
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