Hear Edvin Thompson explain the Essence of Theophilio

So it was obviously inspired by Jamaica — if you could think of any dance hall song that could have inspired it, what would it be?

King of the Dance Hall, always. King of the Dance Hall, Beanie Man, always. So nostalgic. Even looking at the soundtrack to this collection, it was voice recordings of myself and my grandmother. I went to Jamaica back in 2019. My great-grandmother and my grandmother actually passed. So I went back home to celebrate their life. And I did visit my other grandmother, on my father's side. She had Alzheimer's and it took her a minute to kind of adjust and I felt like a young kid, kind of telling my story, like, 'Hey, this is what I'm doing in America.' And this is what this collection is about. Really championing those Jamaican idols and icons that have built that bridge between their community and onward. Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, Spice — you know what I'm saying? All these individuals that really take in these colors and all around the globe you can find Jamaica in many pockets, in many communities. And I know people are leaving this show thinking, 'Oh, I went to Jamaica.' And that's everything for me.

And what do you think your grandmother would've said about this show or where you are in your journey right now?

She's watching down on me. All my success has amplified since her passing and there have been moments [where] I nearly feel her just touching my shoulder. She was just like, 'That's why I brought you here. I want for you to see the world,' but still, [I'm] supporting my community. Championing my heritage.

How do you want, women or men, or non-binary people — anyone who wears your clothes — what do you want them to feel?

Be your ultimate self. Be your ultimate self. There's safe spaces for all of us. You know what I'm saying? Really cultivate that community. These are the same faces that I started with. We're still building. I really have this atmosphere within the field that we're so welcoming. I'm here to just celebrate life and really championing those with my clothing because, Fashion 1.0.1. — we dress [in] clothes to what? To really amplify our own characteristics. And I think that is so important.

With every thread or with every fabric that you touch, what intention did you put into it when you were pairing together clothes?

I want that person to be like, 'Yes, I've never worn this. I never thought I would look this good in this!' I want that person to really put on for themselves. In this day and time, I think it's so hard to kind of pull yourself up from the bootstraps. And I think with clothing, it's so imperative with this medium, to just really sustain that growth, that individual growth.