GOOD FOLK #16: HOMMY DIAZ ///

-NAME
Hommy (aitcHDee) Diaz

-WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Born and raised in Queens, NY. My parents are from the Dominican Republic.
I guess that is why some people might think DC initials stand for Dominican Conquistador, LOL.

-WHAT DOES YOUR WORK CONSIST OF?
Global Product Line Merchandising.
In other words using colors and materials to conceptualize footwear stories.
My efforts are applied to exclusive footwear models that make up the limited distribution collection of DC LiFE.

-HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
I discovered a skateboard in 1988 and couldn’t seem to let it go until I tore my ACL in 2007 and then again in 2008. The ware and tare of a few decades caught up to me I guess. I think about getting surgery again everyday just so that I can kick flip and 360 flip a gap or something with no fear.

Early on, skateboarding influenced my appreciation for the diversity of art and music from all the different cultures surrounding me. Which then encouraged me to pursue a bachelors degree in Communication Design at Parsons School of Design, NYC. Naturally along the way through the years I met many people who are now doing big things. And they all remembered me, I have my given name to thank for that! With that said I’d like to thank Sneaker Steve Patino for putting me on to the inner workings of the footwear industry.

-WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
Due to the nature of the beast. I work in an environment where I learn something new everyday from my colleagues while traveling the world. Followed by seeing my creative become a reality from 2D to 3D form. Its like my birthday every 30 days when samples arrive.

-WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
It takes a minimum of 90 days to produce a line and then ship it. On top of the 90 days of design and development. I guess the worse thing about what I do, is seeing another brand beat me to the press with a similar idea that was coincidentally conceptualized and already in the development process.

-IF YOU WEREN’T FOR DC SHOES, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I guess I would still be putting my creative touch on something within my reach!

-WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Doing something I did yesterday better today!

-WHERE DOES CREATIVITY COME FROM?
All my past experiences from skating to music, art and design!

-WHO’S WORK DO YOU LOOK UP TO? (Either currently or in the past)
Currently: Peter Beard, Jose Parla, Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ive
Past: Too many names to mention, and this interview is way over due!

-WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR INDUSTRY?
Hopefully an industry that begins coloring outside the lines again!

-WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU NEXT?
Breaking the rules within my surroundings!

-WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD ASPIRING TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
Don’t be scared to dare and be yourself! If you feel the need to double dribble in order to score, make it happen. If someone blows the whistle trying to play ref, say Fuck you. That’s point, so check the ball. There is no official rules to all this shit!

-ONE DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR.
Working with Ken Block (DC co-founder and Pro Rally Racer) on his new shoe in collaboration with Huck Gee. Good times with this project! Huck reinterpreted his evil skull logo into a block head skull logo for Ken aka #43! Why number 43, because D is the 4th and C is the 3rd letter in the alphabet. Be on the look out for this offering this summer during X-Games.

-WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Red Café – “I Wanna Rock (Freestyle).. cause I’m ill, Ya Tu Sabe…. Dimelo…….
The Breaks Over!