In this matured climate, there are very few retailers that truly have the business acumen to be successful. With the fashion tied to an evolving culture, this company has navigated throughout the years of changes and has been able to step up to the plate and push fresh new brands to the public. The Company is Karmaloop and the man behind it is Greg Selkoe…

There’s a lot in a name, so why the name Karmaloop?
When we started the site I had no idea what to call it. My boy Adrian O’Conner did the original design. Adrian has a degree in sacred geometry; you are probably saying ‘what the hell is that?’ Well, it is the study of ancient symbols and religious symbols like Celtic designs. The first design of the site was based on the Buddhist symbol of Karma, and it looks like volleyball, a looping shape, so Bam! the name Karmaloop was born out of that. The site looked awesome but we scrapped that design soon after because it wasn’t practical but the name stayed.


Do you think where you grew up (Jamaica Plain, MA) had an immediate influence on your wanting to create Karmaloop? Was there maybe a lack of streetwear culture, or fashion where you grew up?
JP definitely had an influence. It ranges from Projects to very suburban looking areas, but it is all part of the City of Boston. Even though I grew up in the more expensive section I hung out all over the place, not just in JP, but all over Boston. I considered myself a city kid and got into Hip-Hop, graph, and break dancing while most white kids were still listening to Heavy Metal.  I remember riding the L train on the Orange line (the L is gone now) and hearing ill mixes on boomboxes. The first rap record I bought was the LP of Curtis Blow – The Breaks. When I bought it I couldn’t see over the counter cause I was so small. There were plenty of people with ill style. JP is an amazing neighborhood. Donna Summers, Michael Bivens from New Edition/BBD, and Joey Macintyre from New Kids are all from JP.

In my experience there, I came across all types of cultures and had many different influences so I have always been excited by cultural movements, particularly ones from urban environments. I am not just talking about Hip-Hop culture but also Hardcore, Skate, and Artistic movements.


In your first ten years of business, what is the most important thing that you’ve learned?
Don’t ever quit. Don’t listen to the doubters. Get up everyday and get better and if your idea is a good one then it will work out if you stick with it. Also, don’t get emotional. You’ll make bad decisions. Lastly, have fun.


Is the company exactly what you envisioned it to be when working away late nights in your parents’ basement?
In a way yes. I was always shooting for something that would be the top of the market that would grow past just clothing into a cultural brand.