Based in Oxnard, California, MERCI is a streetwear brand emphasizing in grunge and minimalistic aesthetics. MERCI focuses on honing in vintage and nostalgic ideas, aiming to trigger a reminiscent state of mind within all demographics through design. Aiming to push culture and shift the paradigm of streetwear, MERCI brings forth rooted designs that resonate with anyone that takes the time to dissect and understand the concepts. Substance is a key component with our work, create your own meaning behind the garments we curate.
I had the opportunity to talk with the co- founder of MERCI DeLaun Frazier, and was this a fun one for sure! Here’s a quick introduction.
“What’s good everyone! For those who don’t know, my name is DeLaun Frazier, co-founder of MERCI Clothing/Designs. Born and raised in Oxnard, California but did a lot of moving around during my adolescence; and lived a good portion of my life on the Southside of Oxnard (West Iris street to be exact). Currently working on this beautiful brand, me and my lifelong friend (more so brother) Jackson Kohara built from nothing and having fun with it! The brand has been in full effect for a solid 3 years now, still a baby in the industry but trying to change that, like, tomorrow haha. As of now its just Jackson and I primarily pushing it, with frequent help from our good friend Rene when things get hectic – I also count the city as a teammate for all the love and support everyone shows. It’s insane!”
Here’s a little Q & A for ya’ll! Hope you guys enjoy.
So I’ve known of you and knew about you for about 7 or 8 years now, ever since basketball at OHS, how was life after high school? Bro, LIT! After high school I received a full basketball scholarship to Concordia University – Irvine – won a national championship, finished 5th in all-time career 3’s made, and got my degree in business marketing. Thought I was put on this earth to hoop, but God had other plans.
What does a typical day in your week look like? Man, it’s so sporadic I don’t even have a set schedule to abide by lol. I usually start my morning off with wild ass music to kickstart my motor and hit the gym. After that I just let my nature take control and do whatever comes to mind. More so researching contemporary artist and looking at images on pinterest; that always gets me inspired to create. Spending some time with the fam and friends, cracking jokes and laughing is VITAL. A lot of brainstorming now that I think about, but overall I like to grow my mind so I spend a lot of time out doors soaking up the world and all the people in it while listening to music and reading excerpts on people I find interesting.
I’m pretty sure this is not just me, but others see you as an influencer. Who inspired you or did you even have any? Man, I appreciate you for that. RAF Simons and Rick Owens have always caught my eye along with maaaaad other designers – the list is crazy. But my main source of inspiration comes from skateboarding culture, music, and Hunter S. Thompson! If you don’t know who that is, please research him – STRAIGHT LEGEND! Just being alive inspires me.
When things get tough, with the brand or outside the brand, what keeps you going? Knowing that everything is bigger than me and how I’m feeling at the moment – I’m one person of billions. If I quit, I’m quitting on a lot of people and breaking the only promise I’ve ever made to myself. Things can always be worse no matter the circumstance – and that’s the main thing burned into my mind. As long as the storm is weathered, I can’t complain.
What would you say is the number one key to your success? I would say being true to yourself and your work. If you’re doing things for the wrong reason it will be exposed and you’ll tire out very fast. Also, fully investing yourself and communicating with your audience. We’re all human, no one is better than anyone else – Act like it, because people can see and sense when you’re real or not. I just try to be the best version of me and do what I feel is right. But all advice can only be a product of the man who gives it, so what I’m doing can be catastrophic to the next man lol hopefully not though.
Rapid fire:
- Favorite artist(s): Sean Leon, Jay Z, Young Thug, Belly, Queens of the Stone Age, Son Little, Van Morrison. Tough question lol
- Favorite athlete(s): James Harden, Paul George, Allen Iverson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sean Taylor (RIP)
- Favorite sport and team: Basketball, no favorite team though.
- Checks over Stripes?: Stripes over checks my g, I’m the bad guy lol.
- Go to food/snack: Chips and sour candy. But if the corn man is around, you already know what time it is. I love salmon too!
- Netflix? Hulu? If so what is it you’re watching?: Netflix. Believe it or not, I’m always watching planet earth lol anything with animals or the ocean just gets me. BLACK MIRROR TOO! The office and trailer park boys.
- Celebrity Crush: Oooo, that changes every time I open IG. Sophia Vergara had me, Margot Robbie had me, Zoe Kravitz had me, But right now it’s Emily Ratajkowski
- Favorite ice cream: Anything with peanut butter cups in it! Ice cream makes me sleepy tho.
- “Merci is _____”: Bout to take over the world baby!
MERCI man… what can I say. The brand speaks words and most definitely turns heads. It comes down to everything. The way DeLaun comes about when thinking and creating these ideas just shows how he portrays his own personal brand. “Go for it 110% full speed ahead! Do what you feel in your heart needs to be done for your happiness – regardless of what everyone else is doing/thinks you should do. It’s so easy to judge, that’s why there are so little doers and so many spectators. No one wants to put themselves out there to be judged by the societal eye. But you’re not doing it for them, so do your thing wholehearted with no apologies. Don’t be afraid, just go!” All it takes is one big break and your life changes forever.
Thanks DeLaun.
His social media’s: @mercidlo @merciclo
And huge shoutout to my guy Ricky for allowing me to put him on this project! Here’s his social media! @simplericksterr
Glimpse Life 