[dropcap]T[/dropcap]en months ago, Peter Gawo was just an average student with a dream and a friend, Brendan Clark, who would support him. Both seniors are driven and determined to make something out of nothing, using support from wherever they find it to turn their dreams of owning a clothing brand into a reality — Opulence Chicago.

Looking back on where they had begun while dreaming for the future, Clark states both him and Gawo are “young, ambitious, rich entrepreneurs that are trying to build a fortune for a lifetime.” After almost a year of hard work and determination, both young men have nothing but excitement for what their futures hold.

Starting this whole business with just an idea in mind, last January was when Opulence Chicago was born. Both men call the company “young and full of potential,” pouring their souls into the success of their new business. It took a long six months of planning and designing to finally release their first product on July 20 with an inventory of 24 shirts. Selling out in only 10 days, they made quick moves in order to bump their inventory number to 100. On August 10, they re-released the shirt and sold out once again.

Before they had begun to even dream for the future, Clark and Gawo started from scratch, an idea in mind.

“December of last year, during the West versus North game, me and Peter went outside and came up with the idea. We’re both very into fashion, so Peter came up with the idea to actually produce clothing for people and I jumped on it right away because fashion and business is something I want to pursue,” Clark said.

Gawo has a totally different approach on the creation of this business.

“In my perspective, Opulence was all started when I realized there isn’t much with school that I could do from this point on. I realize that I’ll go to [Oakton Community College] just because of the type of student I have grown to be throughout high school… poor habits. I realized that I do, regardless of school, have things going for me,” Gawo said. “I know I’m creative, I’m artistic, and I know [Brendan] is on the same page as me.”

MAKING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES

With the idea established and a foundation in place, it was time for the business to really make a name for itself, literally.

“We were trying to figure out a name for weeks, and one day we were hanging out in my basement, not focused on the business at the time, and I was cleaning out my backpack when my vocab book happened to land on the table and [Brendan] was looking through it… He opens up the first page and there was a word called ‘opulent’. I was like, ‘g, this could definitely go’, because the definition meant luxury or wealth,” Gawo said.

That day, Opulence Chicago was branded with its name and had finally become a trademark of its own.

“It really fit [the name, Opulence] what we were trying to do with the business,” Clark said. From then on, the idea that had once blossomed had just become reality.

Though both young men were stoked about their new idea, they had never thought they would actually make it this far.

“To be honest, I think we’re passed where I thought we’d be by now,” Gawo said.

From production numbers, to actual sales, Clark and Gawo said they are very happy to see how far they’ve grown, never imagining to ever make it where they are now.

“We’re getting a lot of exposure and we’re working with people we never thought we would,” Clark said.

“I thought that we would just be starting up slow. But with the rate we’re going at, the amount of experience we’ve gained through just the first month and a half, the people we’ve met personally and the type of work we’re doing collectively is taking us places far beyond what we ever expected. It’s exciting to see where we’re going to end up,” Gawo said.

Opulence Chicago was the idea that would soon spark a chance for Clark and Gawo to make something of themselves. With the company finally up and running, they share a look into the future.

“Forget about the next year, this fall is going to be crazy. Every season is a chance for us to grow, become smarter as business men and designers, to put our work out there and I really think we don’t have to wait at all, this fall is when we’re going to blow up,” Gawo said.

THE SIGNATURE BLACK T

With new releases on their way and Gawo working on a huge selection of new designs, all this hype wouldn’t be credited without the respect for Opulence Chicago’s first release — its signature black tie-dyed t-shirts.

“We had to buy our shirts through a producer who sells plain tee’s and then go to Art Factory where it basically prints all of our shirts. From there we just tie-dye the rest of it with bleach and it looks awesome,” Clark said. The production of their first t-shirt was a lengthy process, but has definitely paid off.

Close senior friend, Julia Nejman, agrees that the first t-shirt Opulence Chicago released helped tremendously with company exposure.

“Peter and Brendan snapped on their first release. If it hadn’t sold and gotten the reaction that it did, I don’t think they’d be where they are right now,” Nejman said.

Gawo, the primary designer and Clark, the primary business man, they work very well together to come up with new ideas in expanding their company.

“The first time we started designing our shirts, we were limited, we didn’t have many resources. That’s why people should be excited for our fall lineup, we have a lot of creative clothing like wind breakers, hoodies, beanies, socks and baseball tee’s… Gaining experience from each release makes the next one sicker,” Gawo said.

THE FALL LINE

Clark said he is very excited for this upcoming fall lineup and certainly hopes to see tremendous growth in the company.

“What I would want to see personally out of the company that we own is growth, something you always want to see, and the push for our products. I want us to get a lot of demand for our new releases, something the buyer really wants. The clothing to mean something,” Clark said.

Alongside his partner, Gawo agrees on the importance of growth within the company. From their first release, to the composition of their new fall lineup, Opulence Chicago has already grown to something neither partner has expected.

Selling out in their first and second releases of their classic design, both partners agree to not only bump their future inventory numbers up, but strive for a huge increase in the company’s capitol.

“Efficiency is a struggle for the company at the time,” Clark states, and again both partners tell that their future goals will be achieved through greater organization and much more efficiency.

“It’s not a T-shirt company, it’s a clothing line. Personally, the name means more than just the definition. Opulence is more of a lifestyle. You can purchase our clothes for a price that anyone could afford, giving you the look of wealth. You look rich or wealthy for a low price. But it’s not just the clothes, it means something. It’s a movement,” Gawo said.

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IG: @OpulenceChicago
email: [email protected]
website: www.opulencechicago.bigcartel.com
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