Community Spotlight: EXISTENTIAL, a streetwear brand you should know about!

May 22, 2024by Jiovani Cervantes

Today, we're happy to share with you our conversation with Joshua from Woodland Hills, owner of the streetwear brand EXISTENTIAL.
We wanted to get to know a little bit more about who he is, what inspired him to start a clothing brand, and where he plans to take it. Here's how it went:

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Joshua! We're excited to have you as our next feature and learn more about you as a designer. Let's start this off with you sharing exactly what it was that initially drew you to your craft, and how has your journey unfolded since then?
Joshua: I've always been into graphic tees and early skate streetwear since I was a kid in school. So, when I finally got into college and started to figure out the path I wanted to go down, graphic design and starting a brand was the goal. Since then, I started up the brand but have also grown a screen-printing business and print jobs for other brands and clients as well. I went from manual screen printing in 2017 to having a shop and operating an automatic press since the summer of 2023 to now. Now, that production is much faster, this is actually allowing me to put more energy into the brand and I can focus on growing what initially drew me into starting this journey in the first place!

Can you share some insights into your creative process? Where do you find inspiration, and how do you translate that into your work?
Joshua: Inspiration is honestly all around us. Within us too. I gather inspiration from just living life. The places I go, the things I see, the emotions I feel, the music I listen too, the thoughts I have, questions about life and death. There's so much. Everywhere. Different fonts and layouts on signs and buildings, color schemes in nature that work well. Translating that can sometimes be complicated, but it's a process. Honestly just getting ideas out of my head and designing them, good or bad, it leads to the next best thing. Somethings can be more thoughtful than others and some can just look dope. Continuing to create inevitably becomes its own inspiration to create more.

What projects are you currently working on, and what excites you the most about them?
Joshua: My personal brand! Existential. Just thinking of all the new items and being able to create my own world and being able to share it with other people too. I'd like to spread a good message and create a like-minded community. Have a platform to guide kids, whether it be creatively or in life. Basically, to be someone I would've liked to have as a kid growing up. I think that possibility is what is most exciting.

Looking back on your career so far, what would you consider to be your proudest achievement or most memorable moment?
Joshua: I think for now it's going to have to be being able to have a shop and getting the automatic press. It seemed insane back in the day with the capabilities of a manual press. But here we are now, and it still seems crazy!

How do you navigate challenges and setbacks in your field, and what advice would you give to aspiring creatives facing similar obstacles?
Joshua: It's all a learning process of what to do or what to avoid and not do. Trial and error. You have to start somewhere and keep going if you're really about it. Keep creating & keep learning. You only fail if you stop and quit.

In an industry constantly evolving, how do you stay innovative and relevant while maintaining your unique voice/style?
Joshua: I think creating for yourself first is crucial. When I make a new item, it's because I like it enough that id wear it and if other people want an item, they'll get it too. I like to be organic and not chase the trends too much. I just do what I feel is right and be true to myself.

Can you talk about any collaborations or partnerships that have been particularly meaningful or impactful for you?
Joshua: I haven't gotten this far yet, but I would like to collaborate with Vans and Stussy eventually. They both have been staple brands in my life, and it'd be cool to have all of this come full circle. Hoping one day.

What do you hope audiences or consumers take away from your work, and what impact do you aspire to make in your industry?
Joshua: The brand name existential and concept came from the definition itself. Which is about the meaning of life, our life. Why we exist. Our purpose. So, I think that's what I'd want people to think about. Who we are and why are we. We get so consumed by the material world we kind of get lost in it and lose our sense of self and what we're actually doing here. And I mean here as in being alive. Living in this world. I just want to inspire more people to live life while we can and encourage personal growth.

Lastly, what message or piece of wisdom would you like to share with your fans, or anyone inspired by your journey?
Joshua: Do what makes you happy and chase your dream. & Everything meant for you will follow.

Joshua, we thank you again for giving us the chance to get to know more about you. Now, the floor is yours, share with us the links people can use to find more of your work, as well as any special announcements or projects you have coming up in the near future!
Instagram: @existential_xii
Existential Printing Solutions (exiips.com)

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