Interview by by Matthew J

 

Bombing Science: First, who is Alexander Gligorich? As I was researching you, I have to be honest: there is not a lot of information online out about you -specifically. Is that intentional, on your part? Or are people not asking you enough questions?
 
Alexander Gligorich: My name is Alex and I am founder of Carrot Clothing. Beside that I am the father of a two and a half year old, son. No, it [lack of information on myself] is not intentional. I just want to let Carrot Clothing speak for itself instead of me doing it.
 
BS: So you prefer to be in the back and allow the brand to represent itself? In a way, being anonymous gives you the same kind of mystique as a graffiti writer. Do you think, if you placed yourself in the spotlight that would take too much of your focus away from daily operations?¨

Alex: It’s already happening, but I enjoy working for Carrot and designing clothing.

 
BS: What is Carrot Clothing’s mission statement? What mantra do you operate upon?
 
Alex: It’s hard to tell about mission statement; Carrot Clothing is what I live every day, it is need to express myself and same time offer something different to street fashion audience.
 
BS: Originally, your first t-shirt designs came out of a desire to speak out against the political situation and also as a way to lift the spirits of friends and family, in Serbia, who were dealing with hardship. For the sake of educating the North American readers who may not be familiar with the political climate of Serbia (myself included), could you please speak a bit on what was going on in Serbia during 1999?
  
Alex: First at all, Serbia is a beautiful country with some of the nicest people living there. There is a lot potential here – from young artists to pretty girls. After all these wars people were disappointed and sick of everything – it’s something that most people never wanted. So we start a riot against communist regime, against wars … we were only supporters of [a better] life!

[Note from Matthew: People in North America should not be so quick to see harsh sentences being something that only happens “over there”, in other countries [in this case, Serbia]. In our cities, there has been a gradual shift towards the use of over-the-top punishments and fines to discourage people from getting involved in the art of graffiti. In some cases, graffiti writers are being locked-up in the same prisons as rapists,armed robbers, and murderers (no lie). So don’t think just because we live in North America that our ‘freedom of expression’ is stronger here than other land’s … we’re all in the same boat, people.]

 
BS: Not everybody was a fan of your early work. Government authorities alleged that your protest art was linked to “terrorist policies” and as a result you were incarcerated for six months. Exactly what were these messages linked to so-called “terrorist policies”? How exactly did the government justify their claim that what you were doing was linked to terrorism? What did you learn about yourself during those six months?
 
Alex: It’s not a big deal over here. I know lots of people who have landed in jail or been beaten up by pigs just because they expressed their opinion. Printing tees was my way to do it. Messages like “Fuck War” and “All Together Now” were enough for the authorities [to come after me]; everybody who didn’t support them was marked a “terrorist”. But please don’t get me wrong – all over the world, politics is nothing more than one big “carrot and stick”. What I am interested in is only doing things which will leave this world a better place for my son and every other kid … that’s all.
 
BS: Often times … It seems that during moments of difficulty and struggle, people either cave under pressure or stand-up and fight What motivated you to stand up and protest?

Alex: Both art and protest are nothing more than a people’s needs for positive things [change]. In case of art – that’s a quest for beauty; and for protest, it’s needs for a good and normal life …that’s all I fight for ever.

 
BS: What do you hope Carrot Clothing will bring to the people back home in Serbia? Beyond financial gain, I’m sure self-empowerment must be a motivating factor. 
 
Alex: Carrot is the only street-fashion brand in the Balkans and is one of the biggest in all of Europe. Right now, my hommies don’t need to travel around to find cool piece of clothes; they have it all here.

BS: Every country seems to have it’s own graffiti scene with it’s own unique history and culture. I’m curious to know about Serbia’s scene. Who are some of the artists that inspired you to post your first messages? How strong is Serbia’s scene today?
 
Alex: Yes, there is a strong scene in Serbia. In the past graffiti was only way for me to express my opinions. But I’m not as talented as my friends are; lot of them graduated in High School of Fine Arts. They making some really nice art. I am good clothing designer, not an illustrator.

BS: I read, you got the name CARROT from the old “carrot & stick” metaphor, where a donkey keeps chasing after a carrot held on stick. The carrot is just out of reach and the donkey keeps following it hoping to get a reward it will never reach. I am sure you get asked this question all the time, but I want to know what is the meaning behind the name “Carrot”?

Alex: In one way, it is about “carrot and stick” story…we always feel that young people are given a carrot; dream that they cannot reach. Not just in life, but in fashion, too. I mean, how I can buy a tee when it’s cost $250?! People love things they cannot have; it is human nature!
In another way, the Carrot is a synonym for strong root and Carrot Clothing does have strong roots in street culture.
 
BS: For a company that has only been around for two years, you have been featured in many magazines, websites, & newspapers. What is the secret to your success?? How have you been able to make Carrot such a widespread brand?
 
Alex: There is no secret behind media coverage. It’s simple connections.

BS: Some of the more recent collections you made feature the work of French graffiti/graphic design duo, 123 Klan. What was it like to work with them?
 
Alex: Scien & Klor (of 123 Klan) are two of nicest and coolest people I ever met. They were actually one of the easiest groups to work with.

BS: The 123 Klan x Carrot shirt is one of the more popular items from your collection. Seeing how it has been getting a lot of love from customers, do you plan on more collaborations with 123 Klan?
Check out the shirt here : http://www.bombingscience.com/catalog.htm?category=Carrot
 
Alex: Yes, we plan to release super limited edition sneaker with 123 Klan by this Fall.

BS: Sneakers, huh? Ok. What can you tell us anything about the shoe’s design or is that a secret? How many of these limited edition shoes will reach North American buyers?

Alex: You can visit 123 Klan website and see the sneaker design on their website. I don’t know yet, but probably 30 or 40 people in North America will have a chance to cop these … we will go super limited with the sneakers. 

  
BS: Who are some graffiti artists you hope to work with in the future?
 
Alex: Besides 123 Klan and our old friends like Kenyon Bajus, there are a lot of upcoming collabs to be out fall and winter later this year. From high profile artists like Steve “ESPO” Powers and Rick Marr still unknown, but still great Serbian artists…everything.
 
BS: Where do you see Carrot Clothing within the next five to ten years? How do you plan to stay separate from the herd?
 
Alex: I see Carrot Clothing becoming one of the top 5 brands…not necessary by selling, but for originality for sure! I don’t have strict plans, but I can promise that we will follow our own road and we will not make compromises…never!
  
BS: ** Word Association : I’ll give you a word or phrase and you give me the first statement which comes to mind

— Freedom of Expression … Jail
— Serbia … Life
— Family … Andrey (my son)
— Hard work … Carrot Clothing
— Carrot Clothing … Hard work
— Dedication … passion
— Hype … Mass production
— Alexander Gligorich … the man (lol)
 
BS: Any final words …

Alex:  Word!

 

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