Ian Isiah on 'Big One', Gay Music, and Fashion's Future

Ian Isiah's Style and Identity

• 👑 Ian Isiah showcases his personal style, highlighting Telfar for his suit and accessories, Balenciaga for his boots and bag, and Apple Watch for timekeeping.
• 💎 His jewelry, including grills with Telfar logos, is sourced from Black artists and the African market, emphasizing his commitment to supporting Black creators.
• 🎭 The vagina prosthetic from his "Big One" music video, a five-hour application, was a deliberate artistic statement for a specific event, not for everyday wear.

'Big One' and Gay Music

• 🎶 Ian Isiah describes his song "Big One" as his first foray into "proper gay music", intended for his female and queer audience to "do their big one."
• 🏳️‍🌈 He aims to create more gay music in his catalog, defining it as music that encourages living one's truth and rejecting societal pressures.
• 🎤 Isiah acknowledges the continued homophobia in music and hip-hop but remains optimistic about the new generation of talented artists challenging the status quo.

Fashion, Art, and Identity

• 💡 Isiah emphasizes the difference between influence, inspiration, and identity, stressing the importance of curating one's own unique identity.
• 🏙️ He reflects on the early days of Hood By Air and the vibrant New York scene of the 2010s, noting its unique energy and cultural impact.
• 🎓 Isiah sees fashion as a university, valuing community and shared experience over traditional corporate structures, drawing parallels to his work at Telfar.

Personal Philosophy and Inspiration

• ⛪ Growing up in church and hair salons, Isiah draws significant inspiration from Black church women, appreciating their emotional expression and resilience.
• 🧘 He identifies as a multidisciplinary artist, embracing the exhaustion and richness of working across music, fashion, and other creative fields.
• ✨ Isiah describes his newfound shyness as a beautiful, protective aspect of his evolving self, alongside his commitment to lifting others up.

Reflections on the Industry and Future

• 🌐 Isiah believes Telfar is creating a blueprint for future generations by prioritizing community, ownership, and authentic creation.
• 🎤 He sees the current music landscape as having a shorter attention span, evidenced by his 1 minute 49-second song "Big One."
• 🌟 He hopes his music encourages laughter and dancing, offering an ode to his early club experiences and the energy of parties like GHE20G0TH1K.