Only NY for SNS NYC

Meet Micah and Julian, founders of ONLY NY. Established in ’06, the brand, which is now known globally for a minute, has always taken its inspiration from the limitless realm of New York City culture.

Interview by Thomas Rampino

SNS: As a global brand inspired by New York City culture, we have many friends who live in the city, but also a bunch from all over the globe. From where you’re sitting, what is it about New York that makes it so special, or stand out from other sensational cities?

M: New York is special in so many ways, but I think for us it’s just what we know and consider normal. Julian, myself and our third founder all grew up on the Upper West Side spending our childhood in the parks, public schools, on the subway, constantly exposed to so many different cultures - I think that really shaped us and how we perceived New York, our home.

SNS: Talk about your experience working with some of the most iconic institutions of the City of New York. Collaboration on that level almost lives in an entirely different stratosphere all together, something to be incredibly proud of. What were some of those early conversations like?

M: My mind started racing with ideas when the opportunity came about to officially work with the city. I wanted to make it much bigger than what people were used to seeing (NYPD/FDNY and other gift shop shirts). I wanted to bring a fresh take on otherwise stale city apparel and create original graphics for the city in addition to using the standard marks and logos. I wanted to make it it’s own line as part of our brand. All of our ideas were really well received, and I think we paved the way for these types of collaborations. Before it came about, we never thought in our wildest dreams that we could have a collaboration with the city itself. Since then, institutional collaborations have kind of been our thing.

SNS: The fulfilling journey of ONLY is a product of both authenticity and comradery. What’s to be said about having the opportunity to project your passions on a global scale, with a team consisting of close friends and historied roots?

M: It’s definitely something we are grateful for. It’s been an awesome journey so far, and we’ve come a long way. Pretty much everything we do is DIY and self-taught, so we’ve learned so much. It’s humbling that the brand, our products, and obscure interests have been so well received and on a global scale as you say. It’s cool to create something bigger than yourself, and to be able to do it with close friends makes it that much cooler.