The More Things Change…

The more things change.

Buffalo is changing. Look around. It’s everywhere. From the local shops that are popping up on Grant St that are now catering to the Somali community to the housing developments that are being erected in East Buffalo. From The AKG museum to the upcoming renovation of Lasalle Park. There are new fun places to visit whether your thing is going out for a bite to eat and maybe a drink or taking in the arts and some of Buffalos new local talent. Things change. Times change. Nothing stays the same. And to accompany that…..style changes.

I look around and I see that things are much different than what they were when I was a kid. The baggy jeans that we wore that we would “Sag” have now been replaced with tight fitting denim woven with spandex and are now dubbed “Skinny Jeans”. The backpacks that would carry cans of spray paint, rolling papers, a bottle of Pepsi and a lighter have been replaced with leather man bags. Satchels that now carry tablets with photoshop, a vape pen, bottles of artisan water and mini torches. It is no longer odd to see a man reaching into his “purse”. The music has changed. Style as always, has also changed.

You see I grew up in 90s, a colorful time where freedom of speech was being tested and liberation from our social norms was at an all-time high, not much different from today actually. As young people, we expressed ourselves through music and our style of dress, it became a part of us. Our Hallmark if you will. Our energy. Our identity. Our love. Our pain. Our struggle. Our culture.

30 years later it seems Hip-hop as a whole has evolved. It is now hip-hop that is synonymous with sex and drugs…..not Rock and Roll. And again….as these things change….style changes. I actually had the opportunity to sit down and speak with a local upcoming designer and fashionista.

His designs are new but familiar. Simple, yet thought provoking. Expressive but at the same time reserved. I call him Bro. Most people call him Wave, as in WaveGod. It is his moniker and also the name of his clothing line. We sat down at one of his favorite local spots, Mr. Sizzles for a cheese burger and shake, and we shook it up.

Q: When did you start making and designing clothing ?
A: I started in 9th grade. Early 2000.
WaveGod apparel stared in 2017 when my brother died.

Q: What is your motivation ?
A: My brother. I started my journey the same year he died. Turned pain to motivation. It’s Us never them.

Q: Which celebrity has your favorite fashion style and why ?
A: Pharrell Williams. Without knowing him I feel him. When you get dressed you describe how you feel. And like him, I will wear anything. If I feel it, I wear it. In my opinion he’s the goat of my generation.

Q: How do you keep up to date with the latest fashion news and trends ?
A: I rely heavily on social media. I’m not really into fashion magazines- for me everything is visual. I watch things. YouTube. I pay attention to the Fashion houses. Gucci, Balenziaga that type of thing. Yeah.

Q: Where do you get your style from ?
A: My style comes from me, my inner self.

Q: Who influenced you ?
A: My brothers style influenced me. I always wanted to wear his hats. Rock his jeans to school. Through that I found myself and my own style.

Q: What influences you ?
A: My pain from failures and from failed relationships. It influences me to push forward in life with myself and my brand. To always move forward. Pain is a strong motivator.



Q: Is fashion your only passion ?
A: No. I also am passionate about my health. I keep a diet that consists of fruits and vegetables, bananas, blueberries peanut butter, and green smoothies that are plant based. I do about 100 push-ups a day and walk for cardio. I only drink water and black coffee. When I drink socially it’s Henny. Some Seawater. Other than that I have a strong sense of family.

Q: Where does the name come from ?
A: Someone gave me the name because I stay dressing fly. They also knew my love for Max B, so it kinda fit. So they stared calling me WaveGod and I just took it to clothes. We all have a lil WaveGod in us.

Q: What do you think your best selling piece is ?
A: The dead ass t-shirt – it’s also my favorite. I love a woman’s body and I’m infatuated with a nice booty. Nice ones come in all shapes and sizes, I don’t discriminate you know. “I dead ass love a nice booty” lol


Q: Who is your favorite designer ?
A:Ralph Lauren. I like The minimalist mentality. His choice of colors. It shows you don’t have to have big logos all over your stuff to look fly. Puts more focus on the person.


Q: How does living in Buffalo influence your designs ?
A: I’m very Buffalo oriented. I love our sports scene and I represent that in my designs and select pieces.


Q: Being that you are from Buffalo and still live there, do winters play a factor in your designs and/or approach ?
A: Yes. I do a lot of heavy weight hoodies, it’s a Buffalo thing. 7 months out of the year it’s cold here. So, you know…..

Q: So theres utility with your clothing ?
A: Yes. Between the hoodies, hats, and bags – I think they are useful and economically practical. This is what I wear ! I’m not trying to “make money off of it” I mean of course I make money off of it but it’s not a ploy. I wouldn’t design something for money I wouldn’t wear myself. I make of all my pieces with intent to wear and I like to stand out.

Q: How do you feel about self image ?
A: It’s very important. I get dressed every time I live the house. You never know who you gonna see. 1st impressions thing.

Q: Red pill vs Blue pill – Red Pill. I want to get closer to God. I know there’s more to it than what we are doing. At WaveGod We unify through clothing to honor god.

Q: What is your least favorite fashion trend right now ?
A: Guys short shorts. I don’t think guys should have their thighs out. Knees out ok. Not thighs. It’s too much.


Q: How do you know when you’re done with a design ?
A: I source my garments and fabrics carefully, I design the logos that move me in the moment and then I just place them were I think they should go and the piece is complete. It’s all pretty organic.

Q: What is your ultimate goal ?
A: To be in a retail store.

Q: What was your FIRST PIECE ?
A: A memorial piece that I did for my brother. A black and white screen print with his image and name. Ace. My most most recent pieces are my WG jeans.

Q: Would you say you’re Couture or urban fashion ?
A: I would say Urban couture. I’m Street wear with a designer feel.

Q: What is your favorite Buffalo food ?
A: Pizza. These are my top five.
1) Just Pizza 2) Bocces 3) Picasso’s 4) La Bella Scilla 5) Gino n joes


Q : Favorite Buffalo sports Team ?
A: The Bills. Im a mafia head.

Q: Where can we find your clothing ?
A: WaveGodstore.com or on IG @wavegodapparel. You see something you like, DM me. Everything is made to order. I like to keep things exclusive.


At this moment his phone rings. He wipes a small amount of ketchup from the side of his lip and answers it. You see a small smile in between a well groomed mustache and beard. He hangs up the phone brushes a few crumbs off his blue denim and says “ Im bout to dip bro, gota take care of something. Respect “.

And just like that……he’s gone.

Written by : 𝒥𝒽𝑜𝓃𝓎 𝑜𝓃𝒾𝓈𝓉
Photo Credit : 𝒥𝒽𝑜𝓃𝓎 𝑜𝓃𝒾𝓈𝓉