First drop of 2022. Crazy! It seems like it's been forever since my last drop, but with the restock of the "Melanated Hearts" collection in early January, it really hasn't been that long. 

I'll say this.. We just keep getting better and better. Our 1 year anniversary has now passed. It seems like just yesterday when we dropped the "Friends and Family" collection on March 27th, 2021. In just one year, we have made immense strides. We're continuing to learn and wanting to experiment, and trust when I say that's good for the brand. 

This collection, "The Anniversary" is dedicated to the growth of 21Future. Most businesses, let alone clothing brands, don't make it past the 1st year and we are here! 

Let's get into it!

 the Product

In this collection, there are two simple, yet very quality pieces. A heavyweight tee and a baseball cap.

Heavyweight Tee

One word: THICK. Once you get this shirt in hand, you will understand exactly how 21Future is coming! A single khaki colorway, sitting at 7.6 oz, right away, you will understand that this isn't some cheap ass shirt. Ribbed collar. Puff print 21Future icon on the chest. Oversized DTG print on the back that embodies a crazy ass design with the words "Growth is Godly." I mean, come on. We're not playing fair. Another plus, the shirt is super soft! And you know we had to add the 21Future themed color tag for the chef's kiss. Muah!

Baseball Cap

This cap literally held up the entire drop. If you guys knew how many manufacturers I had to go through to get this perfected. The easy part was finding the blank cap -- although, it kept continually going out of stock. I thought I wanted to do Trucker Hats, but decided against it since that's what everyone else is already doing. However, back to what I was saying.

The hardest part was literally trying to find someone that could embroider this design. The reason being -- it was too many freaking colors. Sheesh!

In order to get this thing to completion, we needed to cut the flower pot and leaves off. Then, we had to cut the number of colors almost in half. I was kind of sad when we were told this, because we really wanted the full design. However, the final product turned out really dope. And the hats are already a hit!

the Idea

Capitalizing on the huge success of the "Melanated Hearts" collection, our shaded melanin heart was not going anywhere. It really has become a staple icon of 21Future. When you see this heart, you will always think 21Future. 

I worked with a dope ass designer this time around. I'll call him B.. he knows who he is! Without him, I really don't think this drop would be what it will be. You know you have a good designer, when he asks questions that make you pause and think. The question he asked me:

"Over the past year, what key quality of your brand's identity or maybe even your own identity has evolved the most?"

 That was a fucking great question. It took me a day to really think about it. 

My answer:

"Personally for me, it's been cutting off things and people that no longer serve me positively. Brand-wise, it's been about growth. 1 year in and I feel like I've learned so much. I feel like growth is the common theme between the two."

With just that one question and response, B created some magic. In less than two weeks, he sent me the initial design.

I was completely floored! Instantly geeked for this project. The way he so effortlessly encompassed the theme of Growth was GODLY! I knew that this would be a hit. He even gave me the description to go along with it..

"The Takashi Murakami flower is one of the most widely recognized insignias in the streetwear fashion world. Popularized by iconic figures such as Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, etc... In commemoration and celebration of 21Future's growth in its premiere year..."

All Imma say.. if your designer is not coming like this, GET A NEW ONE!

As you can see, not much has changed from the initial prototype. It only became more refined. So with that said, I'll leave you with this..

"In order to grow, we must change. And in order to change, we must grow.

One does not happen without the other."