Zoid Styles

A collection inspired by the controversial origins and distorted truths of our culture's greatest art form... HIP HOP

Designed and curated by Zoid Hæm for Westword Artopia in collaboration with the artist No One Special.

Collection inspo and creative process below:

“In my life, she came home with my brother one day after school. Wrapped in a clear plastic, pristine rectangle, glimmering with an image of someone who looked like me, in a flame of glory. This was fine art, a hood renaissance painting, and in shining diamond studded words read Juvenile 400 Degrees. This was my introduction to hiphop and before long the unruly and soulful sounds changed my world.”

-Excerpt from Episode Two: The Present

The Bronx Zoo

Newspaper article showing Cornell Benjamin AKA Black Benji who was murdered by a rival gang. His death brought the warring gangs of the bronx together and turned violence into creativity, leading young women and men to battle with dancing instead of weapons.

Hip-Hop was created by the youth and for the youth as an outlet to express themselves. Dancing, graffiti, and a new art called Rap was sweeping through the Bronx and offering reprieve from inner city suffering.

Hand painted and sewed fashion became the staple of the youth culture, identifying them with their crews and their boroughs, bringing us unique font like Cooper Black that are still used in Hip Hop today.

From Cazals to Coogi, Adidas and Polo, hip hop culture has made some European brands billions of dollars!

“What you have on your body is a reflection of how you’re economically doing.” - Dame Dash 

The New York City black out allowed poor creatives to re-up on all the tech and gear that Hip Hop would need to grow.

More Hip Hop History coming soon!

Education - Received BFA from University of Colorado

Creative Director - Designs unique marketing campaigns, brand aesthetic, and visually compelling campaigns for clients

Event Producer - over 150 unique events created ranging from small dinners to warehouse raves

Videographer - Commercials, Cut Ups, Music Videos

Photographer - Editorial, Commercial, Artistic

Stylist - Personal, Editorial, Commercial, Events.

Model - Fashion, Natural Hair, Commercial

DJ - House, Hip Hop, Trap, Festival, Experimental

"May we create a sense of harmonious well being that transcends the burden of reality." -Zoid Hæm