We had the good fortune of connecting with Samuel Basquiat and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
From my personal experience, PROTECT YOUR WORK! For the past 2 years I have been in a lawsuit with Fashion Nova due to them stealing my trademarked work and if I had not trademarked by work early on when I started I wouldn’t be able to do anything about them stealing my work. It is worth the investment for any idea. So I suggest to anyone getting into the fashion industry or really any industry, make sure the business is done properly first.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
This road has not been easy but it has been the best discussion I ever made for my life. No matter what has been thrown my way, I have continued to believe in myself and my brand and keep pushing forward. I started with $400 in my pocket, my tattoo machine and a feeling that I needed to leave my hometown in Michigan and move to California and I did, and that is where Sorry I Was Trapping was born. I am a fully independent brand owner, which means everything since day 1 has come out of my own pocket. I have no investors, no bank loans, its all me which makes my drive more personal. It is also why when companies like Fashion Nova and others steal my work without licensing it from me it makes it very personal. This is how I feed my family, pay my employees and am able to bring my creations to the public. I am a young black designer that has built this brand brick by brick and am responsible for so many, so as an entrepreneur it is my responsibility to make sure that my business is protected, the tens of thousands I have spent on this lawsuit with Fashion Nova has taken away from my customers, my family and my team, but I will continue to fight for what is right and for what I created and own. I am proof that no matter where you started you never know where you will end up. I have been able to travel the world and connect with so many different kinds of people from the clothing I design, that has been incredible. If people can learn one thing from my story, NEVER GIVE UP!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone is visiting Detroit, I would have them go to a Detroit Lions game for sure. The energy in the stadium during a live game is unmatched. Detroit has so much to offer and has so much good food spots its hard to just narrow it all down to a few.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out my family, my manager Rockett and my entire team. I also want to shout out anyone who has supported me and Sorry I Was Trapping brand, Thank you.

Website: https://www.sorryiwastrapping.net/collections/new-arrivals

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam.basquiat/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sambasquiat

Image Credits
Jalen Hyatt (NY Giants WR)
Skilla Baby
BaySwag
GT
50 Cent
Rockett
Eric Kofi Abreva

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMichigan is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.