The back story

I

first met Clarence at Marc Ecko’s Getting Up Festival that took place in Toronto, August 2003, we were both in some V.I.P. 'scenester' section where everyone hands out business cards and tells you about who they are, what they do and how they get down.

I guess we were both just there for the drinks because neither of us was participating in those antics; we were quickly introduced by a mutual scenester and kept it moving. Some of you may know Clarence because he often travels with Peter Fahey and the Sneaker Pimps crew, so his travels eventually brought him to Montreal where we connected on some cool guy shit and kept it moving.

Our 3rd encounter happened in Toronto at the Nike Joga Bonito party, where Clarence, Gary Bone from Livestock and myself stood in a circle and chopped it up. After we realized we were like-minded we did the scenester thing by exchanging sidekicks and decided to figure out a way to build. I guess an interview is a good start.

Clarence is very humble in this interview, which I respect, but some of us know the truth. Look out for his name to be associated with some of your favorite projects. - Marcus

Name?

Clarence Kwan

Alias?

Some people dare to call me “CK.”

Who the F*#k are you?

I’m the founder of Dopefiend.ca; I write for a bunch of magazines you’ve probably read before; I consult for big-name companies; I help a bunch of small-time companies; and organize good things for good people.

How do you put food on the table?

See above.

How long have you been in the game?

I’ve been interested in this so-called scene ever since I can remember, collecting, fiending, and stealing everything I liked.

What city (or cities) are you reppin’?

Representing Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

What are you best known for?

I don’t think that many people know me...but we do have some very loyal readers of Dopefiend.

What are you the most proud of?

Doing what I love, and loving what I do. Very few people have that luxury, and I guess I’m pretty proud of that.

What are on your feet right now?

I'm currently in black Vans Sk8 Hi Moccasins.

When’s the last time you indulged in sex, drugs, or rock & roll?

Rock & roll always, I don’t kiss and tell, and I say no to drugs.

Describe your style

Back to basics x couture x vintage x 501’s x quality goods. I don’t know, my style is very personal, I wear what I like, I mix and match a lot, I wear a lot of scarves and I try not to look like a kid anymore.

One word that describes you is?

“Madhectic.”

Scarlett Johansson has a crazy crush on me.

-Clarence Kwan

What was the first name brand sneaker you ever got?

My mom got me Wildcats in grade 3...my first pair of Nike’s were Air liners when I was eleven.

What are you favorite brands right now?

So many companies doing it well. Random favorites include Wings and Horns, Filson, Spruce, Biltmore, Burton iDiom, Commes des Garcons, Casio, Stussy, Gravis, Surface to Air, APC, Levi’s, Marahishi, WEK1933, Carmex, FedEx, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Tiffany’s x Gehry, Visvim, H&M, Nom de Guerre.

What’s the most exclusive thing you got right now?

I have this amazing Khmer scarf from Cambodia that is pretty dam hot. I also have a vintage bootleg Louis Vuitton waist bag from the 80’s that is pretty f*$#ing rare.

When is the last time you waited in line for sneakers?

Never have, never will. Who has time? The nerds are over the top.

Tell us something people don't know about you

I have a crazy crush on Scarlett Johansson.

Tell us something people should know about you?

Scarlett Johansson has a crazy crush on me.

How do you stay connected?

I haven’t always been this connected, but it’s the way of the world nowadays. I have a laptop, a sidekick2 and a USB thumb drive. Those things can be super handy.

Doing what I love, and loving what I do. Very few people have that luxury, and I guess I’m pretty proud of that.

-Clarence Kwan

Why are you doing this interview?

You asked me to.

Give us a shameless plug:

I’ll give you 3: www.cbc.ca, www.kawsone.com, www.foodtv.com (Editor's Note: That's really not what we meant, but the CBC could sure use a plug from anyone).

Finish this sentence, ‘If I had a million in cash, I would...’

Pay off the debts and start that dream loft/business/restaurant/studio/gallery/toy factory I’ve been dreaming about.

If you had to pick one song to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be and why?

Probably something by Notorious B.I.G., ‘cuz he was a “Heart throb, never, black and ugly as ever, however....”

Top 5 tracks in tape deck/iPod/music player?

Tracks are so specific. Can it be artists?
Neko Case
J Dilla
Spankrock
Feist
YYYs

Fav. blog/internet site ?

The OG: www.beinghunted.com. It was my inspiration. As well as about another 1000 sites I visit daily.

Any vices you want to share with us?

I collect everything: Polaroid cameras, vintage watches, vintage adverts, vinyl, toys, anything I like.

The Ultimate Collaboration would be You vs. ????

Me x Kaws x Vuitton x Nike x Rolex x Levi’s.

What on your TiVo?

I love Curb Your Enthusiasm, 24 is addictive, I can never turn off FoodTV, and The Office OG version is the funniest show ever.

Who do you look up to?

Anyone hustling and doin’ it and doin’ it well.

What’s pissing you off?

Haters, little kids who don’t know shit but think they know everything. Believe me, the guy with wack sneakers probably knows more than you.

Explain to us the goal of your website?

It has always been to connect people, to provide like-minded people a forum to link and talk and laugh and share and showcase new talent along the way.

Having a cool "site" or blog has that opened any doors for you?

More doors than you would think. As ubiquitous as it can become, blogging IS next. Ask joshspear.com, askpinkisthenewblog.com, Ask Hypebeast...the hits don’t lie.

I believe the dude that started engadget.com is a millionaire. Online is slowly replacing traditional media, and it’s not stopping. Those who put their blood sweat and tears into these babies are definitely reaping the rewards.

Online is slowly replacing traditional media, and it’s not stopping. Those who put their blood sweat and tears into these babies are definitely reaping the rewards.

-Clarence Kwan

What are your views on this sneaker obsessed subculture?

Sneakers will always be at the heart of this culture, at the same time it’s a bit out of control. The hype, the lineups, the collabos, the colourways, the manufactured buzz. Hunting is dead, exclusivity is losing its charm, and eBay is killing it. I’d like to see things get back to basics, better quality, better technology, better designs. In some ways, there is too much power delegated to the consumer and to retailers, like the Nike ID, or store collabos. Lines are blurred, lots of conflict of interest, companies need to scale back and take control. It’s a delicate balance between satisfying the market and knowing when to draw the line.

Do you get a bunch of free things in the mail?

The media has its perks. It’s a spin industry, companies and brands try to buy publicity. It’s a sick game.

Do you have any advice for others who want to get into the online magazine or blog game?

It’s much harder than you think. Don’t quit your day job.

With all the other streetwear, subculture blogs/magazine out there how do you stay relevant and fresh?

We cover what we like, we try to put blinders on and stay away from doing things strictly based on buzz or hype. We hope that our readers appreciate the people and products we decide to spotlight, and hopefully, they’ll find them unique and relevant.

Do you expect to get exclusive coverage from companies or brands?

We don’t expect it. We realize they have a business to run as well. But we always put our own spin on things. We’re not CNN. We’re not after the story of the year. This culture is small enough; it’s better to share than to keep away.

What’s next for Dopefiend?

More shows, more products, more posting, more pictures, more features, it'll be bigger and better than ever.

Any last words?

Thanks to WRG?, the Dopefiend readers, family, and friends. Peace to Canada. Peace to Dubai.

Thanks a lot, much appreciated

Peace