On September 25th Mason Newman launched his eight piece collection with Topman entitled “Romance at the Rodeo”. Exclusively on Topshop.com, the collection features boxy fit tops and heavyweight sweats adorned with his signature street art style and embroidered graphics. Playing with country/cowboy themes, and using both pigment and foam printing, the pieces are vibrant and focus on wearability, and versatile designs.
Since launching his fashion brand in 2018 with the ￡200 his Grandad left him, Newman has continued to ride the wave of “bigger and better”. Even though he has built an extremely successful career as an artist, he still describes himself as having more of a business mindset than creative. This business-forward methodology has led him to collaborations with some of the biggest names in fashion and music, for example working with Ed Hardy, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and Madonna’s Material Girl brand.
The success of many artists relies on shameless self promotion and hustle mentality. Instead of hiding this less glamorous side of artistry, Newman has embraced this as part of his brand. A “fuck it, I’m going to make something and you’re going to buy it because I said so” mentality.
Originally from Birmingham, he left home at 16, with no interest in pursuing university or art school, figuring out how to make a brand on his own. He is open about his naughty youth, sharing stories colored with chaos, but it is also clear that this is where his entrepreneurial inclinations spawned. In an exclusive interview, the Cold Magazine spoke to Newman about coming of age, collabs, and creation.
The Cold Magazine (CM): What mentors did you have growing up that influenced your “Never Take No for an Answer” style of business?
Mason Newman (MN): My mother and my Grandad. My grandad was a del boy, like a dodgy salesman who I saw do these fake cig and market deals growing up and would never ever take no for an answer. Also I’m a big manifesting man and always have been. I know if you believe it to happen it always will.
CM: Do you think that growing up in Birmingham shows up in your art subconsciously?
MN: Honestly Birmingham Forever man. I still live here in the city. My studio is here. My family is here. Prince stayed in Minneapolis his entire life even after he became a superstar. He said “ It’s so cold here it keeps all the bad people out” I live by that, it’ll always be in my work as long as I’m here and breathing Brummie air.
CM: Creating art is often seen as a solitary practice, but in what ways does the art and creative community fuel you or lift you up?
MN: I think collaboration is key. Virgil said something once like the entire point of collaboration is that we give and take from each other and create something new. We’re seeing that now in London especially with groups like Clint, Slawn, Central Cee. And we’ve seen it before with the Antwerp 6, New Guards Group with Heron Preston, Virgil, Palm Angels and so on, but most importantly the Yeezy School, Sam Ross, Luka Sabbatt, Demna, Jerry Lorenzo, Heron, Matt Williams, Ian Connor and the rest. Collaborative groups are key.
CM: What do you look for in potential collaborations?
MN: Ticking off childhood dreams, if I loved you as a kid and more than likely couldn’t afford a product or album, then I wanna tick off that dream for that kid, which all my collabs have been.
CM: How do you want people to feel when wearing the clothes from your Topman collaboration?
MN: Like you can conquer the world and be able to date Kendall Jenner. Everything I create whether it’s on clothes or canvas I want it to bring you confidence in yourself and your artistic taste. To be able to walk down the street feeling you’ve just walked out the barbers.
CM: How has “Romance at the Rodeo” pushed you as an artist ?
MN: The story telling element was fun to work on but you know, Just another day in the office. Ideas never end and are never hard to pull out of thin air… and if I don’t, God will give them to someone else.