Getting To Know Nehemiah
I had the pleasure of finally doing an in-person interview since the COVID-19 outbreak. This was by far one of the most interesting interviews I've done. During this interview with Nehemiah, he showed me his shoe collection, played EA Skate, and ate at Highlands. (side note: eat there one day). Nehemiah is an artist who references classic films like "no country for old men" in one of his hoodie releases. We discussed things like pop culture, fashion, and all things that inspire him.
Where are you from?
North East, Washington DC. I live on the Michigan side, but I primarily claim Riggs. That was my rec, because my Grandmother lives over there.
-Nehemiah
How was your childhood growing up?
My childhood was cool. I played a lot of sports, so that was my whole life. I played Basketball, Soccer, and Skateboarded. I was really into video games, comics and art too. I think my mom figured if I did 10,000 things, I would never have time to get into trouble. I was big into video games as you can see, I do what I did then, now. Growing up in D.C. you see kids that do a lot but it's all how you view the world. I know super talented dudes that got sucked into the streets because they felt that was the way. You can't dictate someone's life. I can't force people to like what I like or do what I do.
-Nehemiah
Where did you get Max Amil from? Do you feel like this name will ever change?
My great-grandma Vera told my mom she had a dream while she was pregnant that one day I would grow up and make million dollars. So, I shortened it and came up with Max Amil. Double entendre, one of my favorite rappers is AMIL and her shit was an acronym for All Money Is Legal. Shawdy was the truth.
No this is the one, I feel like you get one good @ name and you stick with it.
-Nehemiah
What college do you attend and What are you studying?
Howard University, fashion design/specifically graphic design. I used to go to St. John’s in Queens, but I transferred to Howard because of COVID.
-Nehemiah
Do you plan on staying in the DC area forever?
I don't know because I used to live in New York for a while. Armone and I lived there together in New York at St John's. I like New York and Queens is cool too. I wouldn't mind living in New York or LA.
-Nehemiah
How did you become friends with Armone, Alpha and Matt?
I met Armone in high school, on Twitter. We started dm’ing about VLONE I think, then we linked and we’ve been locked in ever since.
I met Alpha at St. John’s, he was in our friend group but we got close. That’s my man, he a producer; trying to plug him in with whatever I do.
I met Matt on Twitter in high school too. I was a photographer and had a lot of cool clothes, so he had asked if I wanted to model. So we linked one time and then when I got into showing my outfits and shit, we locked in and he’s been my photographer since then.-Nehemiah
What are you going to do with your degree or what do you want to do? What is your dream job?
Designing for Nike, working for Nike would be cool. Not sure, I want to work in fashion or the entertainment industry. I'll probably be doing styling or set design. I like styling people. At the moment, I’m SportVVS’ personal stylist and we’re working on his new tape rollout now. I also work with Starboi Gabe, he’s been laying low on visuals but, he’s been dropping crazy shit. Can’t wait to lock back in with him
-Nehemiah
What are some of your favorite albums?
I don’t know if I have a favorite because music is always changing. I like all types of music but the first album I ever bought with my own money was Seeing Sounds by N.E.R.D. I used to listen to that and play GTA IV on my dad’s Xbox. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy ( MBDTF) and Watch the throne used to be my favorite album for a long time. I love music and I salute people that can make good music.
-Nehemiah
What is your biggest inspiration from movies?
I like Gus Van Sant movies a lot. He is the one who made the movies KIDS, Elephant and My own private Idaho. This is a good question but, I like Gus Van Sant a lot. I don’t know because I love movies but, I pull a lot from Gus Van Sant and Spike Lee movies. My favorite Gus Van Sant movies are My Own Private Idaho (1991) and Elephant (2003). My favorite Spike Lee movies are Get on The Bus (1996) and, He Got Game (1998).
-Nehemiah
What artist do you get the most inspiration from?
My favorite designers are Demna Gvasalia from Balenciaga, Martine Rose, and Greg Dacyshyn from Camp High. My favorite artists are Brian Calvin, Damien Hirst, and Emmanuel Massillon. My favorite musicians are Kanye West, Michael Jackson, and Frank Ocean. My favorite rappers are Jadakiss, MA$E, and Pusha T. Those are all my inspirations and references.
-Nehemiah
What was your favorite moments in pop culture? What moments inspired you?
-Power Grant’s outfits in the movie Black and White (1999)
⁃ The outfits in the movie Clockers (1995)
⁃ Kissin’ You/Oh Honey music video by Total (1996)
⁃ The scene where Cher and Dionne show Tai the different social groups in Clueless (1995)
⁃ Only You music video by 112 with Biggie and Ma$e (1996)
⁃ Billionaire Boys Club season 1 lookbook (2004)
⁃ Gus Van Sant using the On Bended Knee music video by Boyz II Men in Last Days (2005)
⁃ Tony Hawk doing the 900 at the X-Games (1999)
⁃ the Viva La Bam title sequence from season 2 (2004)-Nehemiah
What are some of your favorite pieces (clothing)?
Probably the Martine Rose Color Block jacket. I wear that joint all the time or the Vetements Antwerpen/Dylan McKayhoodie I have. Luke Perry is one of my favorite actors, so that joint has a quote from his character off 90210. I also love my Balenciaga Convertible jeans, so innovative. I was big into Supreme in high school, so the Shibuya store opening box logo and the Fairfax store opening box logo tees are really important to me.
-Nehemiah
What are your top 5 sneakers?
Number 1 is Weatherman KD 4s, I wanted them so bad when I was in middle school so glad I got them now. Number 2 is The J. Rods, Paul Rodriguez and Jordan brand collab. My uncle TT had a few P. Rods when I was younger, but never had these. So I had to cop when I finally could. Number 3 is The Reese Forbes Hunter Dunks, my uncle gave me those because Reese Forbes is my favorite skater. So he threw me the lob Or The Diamond Dunks, nicknamed the Tiffanys for the colorway. These are a staple in any sneaker collection. Number 4 is The Atmos Animal Pack Air Max 95s from 2006. I used to have the 2018 reissue pair, but I think these are way better. For the last pair, I’d say the Doernbecher Jordan 3s or the Lightning Jordan 4s. I met Cole Johanson, who designed the DB 3s and they made me love them even more. And when I was younger, my favorite Jordans were the Lightning 4s. So I’m glad, I got the 2021 retro.
-Nehemiah
Do you collect shoes or is the collection endless?
I really collect a lot of things. I always collected shoes since 6th grade. I collect clothes, shoes, movies, comic books, a lot of shit that I like. I just got into collecting fitteds too because I like baseball.
-Nehemiah
How would you describe your brand?
I really don’t consider it a brand. I consider it my medium of art like everybody has their niche. Painters, Rappers, Videographers, and Photographers. Making clothes is my art more than my brand.
The name Max Mind Wanders, it doesn't even sound like a brand. These are just things that come from my thoughts I don’t really look at it like a brand, I see it as my art. Making clothes is my way of expressing myself, if I can turn it into a business I’m happy but if it doesn’t pop then it’s cool.
-Nehemiah
What is your favorite thing created so far?
My favorite might be the no country for sold men hoodie, took it from no country for old men playing with words. That's a good one. The love is power shirt too. I don't make things that I don't like, I don't put out bum-ass graphics for it to sell or to get clout. Everything is printed black-owned, I try to find really good blanks. A lot of the time I do charge extra, you pay for the quality.
-Nehemiah
What is your creative process like?
I make everyday clothes, that niggas can step to. I always try to make stuff I would want to wear all the time, shit with longevity. No fads, no gimmicks, no quick shit. That’s why everything is made to order because I feel like everyone wouldn’t like the stuff I like. So I knock out my orders as they come in, and think of new ideas. As far as actual designing, I pull inspiration from movies a lot. I love recreating and repurposing a concept. I have a journal where I write stuff down during the day. I try to write down ideas so I can go back and create them.
-Nehemiah
Do you have any new projects dropping soon?
Yeah a ton of shit.
Are you planning on dropping new work soon?
Yeah, I try to drop every Monday, if I have an idea every Monday. I'm not one of them people that make shit and dont drop it. I like dropping clothes, I'll never not drop something that I create.
-Nehemiah
What’s the most challenging part of being an artist?
Trying to keep my ideas fresh while referencing other artists.
Also your means, like your bread. You can have an idea and it will take you a while to execute it. Bringing it to life can be a little difficult. You never go with the first draft. Any artist will tell you it'll take about 2-3 times. I have been working on fitted's and, it's tedious and more work but, it's fun making them.
-Nehemiah
What would you say to younger creatives or artist? What advice would you give?
I would say being a stylist comes from people thinking you fly. If you want to be a stylist, get yourself right, and work on your personal swag. If you want to design just open your computer and do that shit. You can design off your phone too. If you have an idea see it through and if you like something someone else will for sure. Stay true to yourself and your ideas.
-Nehemiah
