I asked 4 guys friends of mine (the ones I consider to be the most fashionista and Nicaraguan) if they could answer a few questions for me. I swear every time we upload a picture or mention 'Nicaraguan fashion' - there's a roll of + 40 comments.
When it comes to really making it from the bottom to the top of the DJ world, my friend DJ KILLA KA5 is definitely on his way UP UP n AWAY as an open format dj that has rocked private events for the San Antonio Spurs, Puma, Nike, and many more from Texas to Miami to his home, Nicaragua. killaka5 is considered the future of Miami, with his fusion of styles and ability to always stay fresh and current. Much like his professional life, killaka5's approach to dressing is carefully planned out and perfectly executed - here's his take on fashion, style, and Nicaraguan culture.
Describe your Style:
i would say im a product of my environment. im not your typical person, and obviously not your typical NICA. Ive been very involved in the streetwear scene for all my life, and seen fashion and styles evolve. From the baggy jeans and XXL tshirts, to cut off jeans and tank tops. I'm also very into high end fashion, i follow brands like Gucci, YSL, Versace, Prada, etc. Visit many blogs and sites. I take all that in and make it into my own. Always sticking to myself and staying away from the expected and predictable. I consider myself and elitist at times, yes i am that guy that says i wore this before they did, or see someone wearing something, and i dont wear it anymore. I dunno to me it takes out the originality of it. during 06-08 there was a big "streetwear revolution" where brands came out and went all out, like everything it crumbled and now theyre all very simple and minimalist.
I would say thats where im at now. i dress pretty simple, mainly grey/black v necks, here and there ill wear a shirt with a logo or design, if not ill wear it inside out. during the day ill wear camo shorts, got a bunch of pairs, all prints. if its night ill wear fitted jeans, usually dark raw/untreated denim, dark wash only, i said fitted, not skinny, im a big dude, cant do that shit, by fitted i mean jeans that fit me, tapered leg, no boot/flare/wide leg. and of course a fitted hat and sneakers. To go out i usually always wear a light jacket/windbreaker/denim jacket. a gingham print button downs, or an oxford shirt (light blue, grey or red). i been wearing alot of chambray/denim-ish shirts. been feeling those alot..Ive come to realized i mainly wear blue and grey shirts. all with a pair of chucks or what some call "dress sneakers" all black shoes with a white vulcanized soul. i use to wear alot of flannels and plaid shirts, but that caught on, so i kind of stopped. i remember some guys asking me why i was dressed like a lumber jack, few month later they caught on...
Who's your Celebrity Style Doppelganger?
since i have so many influences its kind of had to just name one person. I'll just name a few people that I feel very influenced by: Kanye West, Wale, David Beckham, Diddy, DJ Vice, Justin Timberlake, Kid Cudi, John Mayer, Duck Sauce (Armand Van Helden and A-trak), TI, Yelawolf. All these people are very unique in their own kind of way. Some of their outfits are way off lol, but for the most part they have their own style and ways. Kanye has been WAY ahead of the curve, from his days of pastel colored polos, to his Givenchy outfit hes been wearing on stage during the Watch the Throne tour.
What do you think about fashion in Nicaragua?
(for the most part) it sucks and its horrible. SHEEP. Nicaragua has a horrible sense of style. I'm talking about your average Nicaraguan. They follow the worst trends and get stuck in them. Its a horrible snowball effect. Its all about approval from the right people. Its like a time capsule, some things never change. Last few times i went I saw how much people love Hollister (even HolliSTAR, the bootleg version), Aeropostale, American Eagle and Abercrombie. The shredded letters that look like they're falling off, pink/baby blue/green and white stripped polo, super faded flared/boot cut jeans, and (THE WORSE) white TICA TAC shoes. cmon. I'm not gonna lie, i had a pair of white shoes(and belt) in like 04-05, when white stripes came out, and the hipster look started coming around, wore them a few times. then got rid of them. but in Nica they are HOTTT!!!! if not those white Pumas/Lacoste shoes with the velcro strap. horrible. Now the whole polo/rugby shirt with the number on the sleve, big polo logo, etc are in. I had one of those in 06, i wore it a lot, even wore it to Nica once and i remember the looks/comments i got "DUDE is that real? why is the logo so big? "uyyy de donde sacastes esa camisa" but hey, i guess they're cool now. oh well...
At the same time, I see a lot of older women (40+) dressed very well. I see pictures of formal events and galas, and women are dressed in very nice dresses and tops. Alot of them made by seamstresses from magazine cut outs or influenced by stuff seen in "Hola!". I notice this because my Mom is someone who's fashion sense has always been on point. from her outfits, to her accessories and just overall fashion sense.
What labels, brands or designers do you usually go for?
I would say Nike and New Era (fitted hats) is pretty much it. Everything else it depends. There's always a name brand items i might be interested in, with enough digging and looking i can find something along the lines of it, but for a reasonable price. To me its not the price on a piece of clothing, but the value you give to it.
As far as Nike and New Era goes, thats a different story. If i see a pair of shoes i like, ill buy them, no matter what. Same for a fitted hat. I have probably owned over 75+ fitted hats, some I wear till they loose the shape and have to get rid of them, it sucks when its a limited hat that i just cant buy at a store. Ive lost count of the amount of sneakers I have, somewhere over 100 i would say. Mostly Nike and Jordan, being a Nike employee helps, lol.
What does the word fashion mean to you?
fashion is what you make of it, how you grab the ordinary and make it your own. your originality and way of being. usually goes with the times or far from it.
Is there something in particular that influences your style?
music. i been djing for almost 10 years, and music has to be the number one thing that influences who i am. most of the people i named are musicians of some sort. i guess the music i listen to has influenced my ways in one way or another. At the same time, it has thrown people off, when I show up to a hiphop gig wearing a Metallica tshirt, i get looks like "oh shit", but when i go on all that goes out the window.
How important is your sense of style at work?
I think its very important, specially being a dj. You always judge a book by its cover, like it or not, its just a human instinct. I always stay on it when i'm djing. Since i am working i'm always wearing sneakers, its whats comfortable, since i'm going to be on my feet for at least 4 hours. Its the appearance that you give out. If i look super corny with a too tight Hollister shirt on, people are gonna look at me and be like "uhhmmmmm" who is this guy? so i just stay chill with a well put together outfit.
What are the Biggest 'Fashion Faux Pas' you just always find yourself "SMH"?
I would have to say that my biggest fashion dont is being a SHEEP, doing something because everyone is, not because you want to. Going back to everything i said about Nicaragua. I think thats my main concern. I personally dont have anythign against hollister or any of those brands, in fact i own a pair of basketball shorts from there, but you dont see me praising the brand with every outfit that i wear. Another thing i SMH about is dressing accordingly to your size. I'm a bigger guy, not always use to be my size, but when i gained some weight, i altered the way i dressed. If you feel/look uncomfortable wearing something, dont wear it. I HAAAAAAAAATE seeing fat people wearing things that dont fit them, specially fat girls. I seen some very well put together bigger girls, because they dress to their size, thats what matters in the end.
i would say im a product of my environment. im not your typical person, and obviously not your typical NICA. Ive been very involved in the streetwear scene for all my life, and seen fashion and styles evolve. From the baggy jeans and XXL tshirts, to cut off jeans and tank tops. I'm also very into high end fashion, i follow brands like Gucci, YSL, Versace, Prada, etc. Visit many blogs and sites. I take all that in and make it into my own. Always sticking to myself and staying away from the expected and predictable. I consider myself and elitist at times, yes i am that guy that says i wore this before they did, or see someone wearing something, and i dont wear it anymore. I dunno to me it takes out the originality of it. during 06-08 there was a big "streetwear revolution" where brands came out and went all out, like everything it crumbled and now theyre all very simple and minimalist.
I would say thats where im at now. i dress pretty simple, mainly grey/black v necks, here and there ill wear a shirt with a logo or design, if not ill wear it inside out. during the day ill wear camo shorts, got a bunch of pairs, all prints. if its night ill wear fitted jeans, usually dark raw/untreated denim, dark wash only, i said fitted, not skinny, im a big dude, cant do that shit, by fitted i mean jeans that fit me, tapered leg, no boot/flare/wide leg. and of course a fitted hat and sneakers. To go out i usually always wear a light jacket/windbreaker/denim jacket. a gingham print button downs, or an oxford shirt (light blue, grey or red). i been wearing alot of chambray/denim-ish shirts. been feeling those alot..Ive come to realized i mainly wear blue and grey shirts. all with a pair of chucks or what some call "dress sneakers" all black shoes with a white vulcanized soul. i use to wear alot of flannels and plaid shirts, but that caught on, so i kind of stopped. i remember some guys asking me why i was dressed like a lumber jack, few month later they caught on...
Who's your Celebrity Style Doppelganger?
since i have so many influences its kind of had to just name one person. I'll just name a few people that I feel very influenced by: Kanye West, Wale, David Beckham, Diddy, DJ Vice, Justin Timberlake, Kid Cudi, John Mayer, Duck Sauce (Armand Van Helden and A-trak), TI, Yelawolf. All these people are very unique in their own kind of way. Some of their outfits are way off lol, but for the most part they have their own style and ways. Kanye has been WAY ahead of the curve, from his days of pastel colored polos, to his Givenchy outfit hes been wearing on stage during the Watch the Throne tour.
What do you think about fashion in Nicaragua?
(for the most part) it sucks and its horrible. SHEEP. Nicaragua has a horrible sense of style. I'm talking about your average Nicaraguan. They follow the worst trends and get stuck in them. Its a horrible snowball effect. Its all about approval from the right people. Its like a time capsule, some things never change. Last few times i went I saw how much people love Hollister (even HolliSTAR, the bootleg version), Aeropostale, American Eagle and Abercrombie. The shredded letters that look like they're falling off, pink/baby blue/green and white stripped polo, super faded flared/boot cut jeans, and (THE WORSE) white TICA TAC shoes. cmon. I'm not gonna lie, i had a pair of white shoes(and belt) in like 04-05, when white stripes came out, and the hipster look started coming around, wore them a few times. then got rid of them. but in Nica they are HOTTT!!!! if not those white Pumas/Lacoste shoes with the velcro strap. horrible. Now the whole polo/rugby shirt with the number on the sleve, big polo logo, etc are in. I had one of those in 06, i wore it a lot, even wore it to Nica once and i remember the looks/comments i got "DUDE is that real? why is the logo so big? "uyyy de donde sacastes esa camisa" but hey, i guess they're cool now. oh well...
At the same time, I see a lot of older women (40+) dressed very well. I see pictures of formal events and galas, and women are dressed in very nice dresses and tops. Alot of them made by seamstresses from magazine cut outs or influenced by stuff seen in "Hola!". I notice this because my Mom is someone who's fashion sense has always been on point. from her outfits, to her accessories and just overall fashion sense.
What labels, brands or designers do you usually go for?
I would say Nike and New Era (fitted hats) is pretty much it. Everything else it depends. There's always a name brand items i might be interested in, with enough digging and looking i can find something along the lines of it, but for a reasonable price. To me its not the price on a piece of clothing, but the value you give to it.
As far as Nike and New Era goes, thats a different story. If i see a pair of shoes i like, ill buy them, no matter what. Same for a fitted hat. I have probably owned over 75+ fitted hats, some I wear till they loose the shape and have to get rid of them, it sucks when its a limited hat that i just cant buy at a store. Ive lost count of the amount of sneakers I have, somewhere over 100 i would say. Mostly Nike and Jordan, being a Nike employee helps, lol.
What does the word fashion mean to you?
fashion is what you make of it, how you grab the ordinary and make it your own. your originality and way of being. usually goes with the times or far from it.
Is there something in particular that influences your style?
music. i been djing for almost 10 years, and music has to be the number one thing that influences who i am. most of the people i named are musicians of some sort. i guess the music i listen to has influenced my ways in one way or another. At the same time, it has thrown people off, when I show up to a hiphop gig wearing a Metallica tshirt, i get looks like "oh shit", but when i go on all that goes out the window.
How important is your sense of style at work?
I think its very important, specially being a dj. You always judge a book by its cover, like it or not, its just a human instinct. I always stay on it when i'm djing. Since i am working i'm always wearing sneakers, its whats comfortable, since i'm going to be on my feet for at least 4 hours. Its the appearance that you give out. If i look super corny with a too tight Hollister shirt on, people are gonna look at me and be like "uhhmmmmm" who is this guy? so i just stay chill with a well put together outfit.
What are the Biggest 'Fashion Faux Pas' you just always find yourself "SMH"?
I would have to say that my biggest fashion dont is being a SHEEP, doing something because everyone is, not because you want to. Going back to everything i said about Nicaragua. I think thats my main concern. I personally dont have anythign against hollister or any of those brands, in fact i own a pair of basketball shorts from there, but you dont see me praising the brand with every outfit that i wear. Another thing i SMH about is dressing accordingly to your size. I'm a bigger guy, not always use to be my size, but when i gained some weight, i altered the way i dressed. If you feel/look uncomfortable wearing something, dont wear it. I HAAAAAAAAATE seeing fat people wearing things that dont fit them, specially fat girls. I seen some very well put together bigger girls, because they dress to their size, thats what matters in the end.
DON'T FORGET TO ........
Tweet DJ KILLA KA5 ' s Twitter ----> @killaka5
