MICHELLE HANABUSA -FOUNDER: WE ARE UPRISERS & CO-FOUNDER: #HATEISAVIRUS
Michelle is fearless and makes the coolest clothes with a purpose- We Are Uprisers. Not only is she creating streetwear with a purpose, she has also created an amazing charity #HATEISAVIRUS. I’m so elated to share this interview, enjoy!
Hi, how are you... Hi, I’m good. I am so happy that we were able to do this, and a fellow Palos Verdes kid. I have been dying (for this interview). Yes. You graduated from Peninsula High...right. Yes! Yes, I was at Chadwick School. Did you graduate in 2009... Yes, 2009...yes, we are the same year. No, way!
Then my brother told me that you were an ice skater. I was a fencer. So I thought is was very cool we were both athletes, and both in isolating sports. Well, at least yours you could wear pretty outfits. Yes!, but so uncomfortable...I felt like I was being tortured in those tight clothes. Well at least you looked pretty. In fencing you had the mask, and you look like a boy - so at least someone sees you. Do you still do fencing? Oh!, no...I was recruited for Temple University but I quickly retired (after that). I love your t-shirts, then the tie-dye too - and done for a purpose. I was mind blown. And you can get them at PacSun. Hahahaa...thank you. Was it your brother that found me? Yes, it was. He was like let’s definitely reach out to her, she is a fellow Palos Verdes kid. Then you said yes, and we were so happy. Yes! I was so glad that you reached out.
How would you introduce yourself to people who are unaware of you...
I am Michelle Hanabusa. I am the founder of a community driven street wear brand, called We Are Uprisers. And also the co-founder of #Hate Is A Virus. I was born and raised in Los Angeles - Culver City. I moved to Palos Verdes my Sophomore year of High School.
You were an ice skater. What made you to re-focus on fashion, and what traits that you learned from ice skating do you apply in your day to day business.
I was a competitive figure skater since I was 14 years old. I started when I was really young, that was my entire life during my youth...and all the way up to college. It is interesting look back...it is not like I did sports then transitioned into fashion. I think fashion, and creative artistry was always within me. I think that was my favorite part within the sport. Outside of the competitiveness, which I am very competitive; I always designed my costumes. No, way! I would go downtown to the fashion district (in L.A.), to pick out the fabrics. Then all of the rhinestones that you see on the dresses, I hand glued every single one. It was a passion of mine, and I knew the amount of glue that I would use per rhinestone.
My wining costume, I think I was in middle school got me to be one of the gals that picks flowers for the Olympians. Well, that dress was actually made by my Mom after I designed it. I ended up picking the flowers for Michelle Kwan during Nationals for that time.
It was always embedded in my sports life. I have enjoyed the performance, entertainment aspect of it. So when I stopped figure skating, it was not like one day I woke up and stopped. I actually had to have hip surgery because of overuse, and all the impact overtime. It was kind of presented to me that they didn't think that I could compete any longer; but if I still wanted to do it as a hobby, or to do it for entertainment I could do that. So I did that for a while. As well in college, figure skating was a huge part of my life.
I made a clear decision since I was not going to be a professional figure skater anymore. I decided that I was going to go get a college education, and I started to explore what I was going to tap into. Actually at Peninsula High School they had a graphic design program. So, for my Junior, and Senior years(s) I decided to explore that, and I really enjoyed it. So, in college it was a mixed program...Communications, Fine Arts, and also Business. Because I knew at some part in my life I would be my own boss, or doing Freelance, and do my thing.
I wanted to get a bigger, and broader understanding of the creative industry in general, because I knew I was not just going to be a graphic designer. And that's pretty much how the journey started.
Congratulations on your collaboration with PacSun. As I have said I love Uprisers, the tie-dye and everything, it embodies authenticity with traditional streetwear. It is unique. Can you share how Uprisers came to be..
Yes, so the journey really began post-college when I....well (how do I explain this), outside of skating which I did not have anymore...I kind of lost who I was, and what my identity was. Because I was never able to really explore that (aspect of myself) outside of the skating world. So when I lost that (skating), I was very confused as to who I was, what my place was, and what my purpose was.
I never really tapped into my Asian culture, or my Asian identity until post college. Being in the real world, seeing how the world is shifting...by the time we hit 2016 I felt this urge having to bridge the gap between consumers, companies, and brands themselves. I did not believe in this top down, and companies telling you what you should be listening to, or what you should be seeing, or buying into. I really wanted it to come from the people, and to have the people’s voice themselves tell what they wanted to see in the world; and the change that they wanted to see.
In 2016 was the beginning of that journey, and I was still working my 9 to 5 job, but I wanted to find a different creative outlet to start addressing that. And my first journey within that was to hone into my Japanese-American culture, and my history. Throughout the years I was able to volunteer and was a part of the Little Tokyo Japanese-American Community, to really understand the businesses that have been around for decades. Even before WWII, the Concentration Camps, and not only understanding that side of my history. But then also seeing how I can creatively use my skills, and talents to address these things; and more so the story-telling aspect of it. I was really passionate about that. I had the opportunity to start my Brand under a Venture backed opportunity, and it was first venture into entrepreneurship and leaving my 9 to 5 job. Unfortunately that did not work out, and I took some time off, and took a step back. After all my learnings, the ups and downs in those two years of experience. I looked at what am I really passionate about with Uprisers, and for me and the two people who have been with me since my first venture. I am really passionate about telling stories in under-represented people, movements, and communities. And so the vehicle that I know how to do that is through fashion, and through street wear. Perfect.
When you were Ventured backed was PacSun on the table as well... No! Yes, that is even more amazing. It was really interesting. I was scared, I was scared to go off on my own. Not only was I boot-strapping it with the savings that I had; I think I am still un-packing this as well - as a minority, as a woman in this industry that is predominately male. And just in general it took me up to this year for people to honestly take me serious. I use to get comments all the way back in 2016, when I started this...’Wow, oh Michelle that is cute’. Oh my gosh - yes! I know. Yes! Out of all the words (to use). Also, ‘Oh, Michelle that is a really cute hobby that you are doing’. I put all of my blood sweat and tears into this, and so it is very frustrating for people to not take me serious. I am running a business. Yes, when I started Yhorlife years ago it was very challenging. When you compare it to now when my brother has taken it over as the CEO, and the face. It is just digested better. Oh my gosh it breaks my heart, and not to say your brother is not doing anything. It took me a long time to get to this space, but I am very intentional with what I do; and I do everything from the heart.
I honestly believe that resonates with people. Even the PacSun collaboration, I would never imagined this opportunity presented to me in this way. It is like rewarding. Yes, it is super, super cool. I am also going to be doing something with Complex this year. No, way! with Joe La Pluma that is amazing. Yes, there is something to be said to...uhh, and this sounds so cliche - but believing in yourself. People feel when it is authentic, and pure. Congratulations. Yes, thank you.
© @JULIAKESTNERDESIGNS
You are also the co-founder of #Hate Is A Virus. Most recently we talked about this before...the latest hate crime where the man killed the Asians in their places of work in Georgia. When you hear these news stories, which seem like almost daily, do you get down and think will this ever end. And does it still make you want to spread the love and knowledge, and does it ever really just get you down...
Yes, that is really a good question. I think what happened with the eight people that were killed at three different spas in Georgia; I think that was a breaking point for a lot of us in the community. These things are not new, they always existed in the Asian-American experience in history; it is just coming more to the forefront. As well, covered by main stream media, and more of us are speaking up about this.
#Hate Is A Virus started last year right before the pandemic hit. We had already started to see on my personal news feed, my personal experiences, and stories that I was hearing people hesitant to go to Asian owned restaurants. They thought they would catch CoronaVirus. There was a lot of misinformation, and also political rhetoric; and that helped fuel those ideas.
So Hate Is A Virus started with more of a local initiation because my team and I were talking at my dining room table, and trying to digest what was going on within our community. If there was anything that we could do locally with just our friends, and family - and just do it. Kari Okubo is also a core member on Hate Is A Virus, and she coined the term Hate Is A Virus. It started to help, and support these small businesses that were affected by the pandemic.
Then it quickly escalated into a digital movement once lockdown happened. My co-founder Tammy Cho, we have been running this movement that started last year; but has now become a Non-Profit.
Regarding what happened last week, oh my gosh... I think we all...uuhhh it has been a roller coaster of emotions. There have been days when I have caught myself crying, then angry, as well as those days when I felt defeated and exhausted. Like does our work help, or make it worse. But finding ways that we can take action, be it long term, or short term; allows me to feel hopeful for the future; and that we are making progress. As well, other communities reaching out to us, and saying we stand with you; that makes me feel hopeful. Congrats on your Non-Profit status. Thank you!.
Okay...a little less heavy...list 5 things, or people that cannot live without. If you were on a desert island what would you bring...
My phone; coffee; my family; measuring tape...ahaha; and my Wacom tablet - I sketch on it.
When you are in work mode what is your favorite late night snack...
Popcorn! - salted with a light butter.
What is your process for designing...
That is a good question! I have a Journal with me every night, and I try to write in it and doodle in it as much as possible. That is where I dump all of my thoughts. I have never been good with words, and so it has always been doodling and drawing; and the creative aspects that allows me to express myself. Now my cousin is our main designer for Uprisers, and she and I actually tag team when it comes to designing.
It has been such a cool process, to be able to work with family; and she understands Uprisers’ vision. We have these late night sessions every month, called the ‘Creative Juice’. Do you enjoy working with family... Yeah, she is my only family member on the team, and it is great. Same with my brother, I think it makes us better (closer) siblings.
What is your favorite beauty staple - is it a bold lip, lashes, or no make-up look...
Pre-pandemic it was my last extensions. My lashes just stick straight out. Oh yes!, mine too. Now I have not gotten them, I usually do not wear make-up at all.
What is the best thing about creating a Brand with a purpose...
I think everyday I am learning a million things. It allows me to do the work, keep educating and bettering myself more in this space. To meet incredible people, and activists who have been doing the work for a long time. As well to be collaborating, it is so rewarding.
What is your favorite way to unwind...
A glass of wine!
Thank you this was so cool. Yes, thank you. After the pandemic we will have to meet up for a coffee. Oh definitely! Of course.
