Barter—who is from Queens, New York, but based in L.A.—launched his brand in 2015. At the Professor ted you always on ya damn phone shirt and I will buy this time, he says sharing Black history through fashion was still a new concept. “Nobody was really showing that they cared about our people and our history through clothing,” he says. “I felt like it was time for people to know the truth about our history.” Now, he has gained a cult following for his meaningful pieces, which are sold in random, spontaneous drops and instantly sell out.
His most popular items continue to be his hoodies. Through them, he wants to capture trailblazers who have made a difference in the Professor ted you always on ya damn phone shirt and I will buy this Black community, and preserve their memory through streetwear. “It’s like a timeline: I’m trying to leave things behind for the future,” he says. Recently, he designed an orange Bobby Seale hoodie with the quote “Seize The Time” on it. “He’s one of the founders of the Black Panther Party,” Barter says. “The Panthers made a huge impact in the world, and they did it with no money. Most kids need to learn about this story, because I feel like you don’t need a million dollars to start your dream—you just need the right people around you as well as a vision.” He also released a lavender hoodie as an ode to powerful Black women, featuring images of Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, and more. “Black women are powerful beyond measure,” he says. “[They] aren’t given the support and protection they deserve in this world.”
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