HOW DID YOU GET HERE FEATURING MATTEO & DAVIDE FROM NTMB!
IM OFTEN LOOKING FOR COOL NEW BRANDS THAT TELL STORIES & PUSH BOUNDARIES IN THE FASHION WORLD, WHICH IS HOW I DISCOVERED NTMB A FEW YEARS AGO. WITH THEIR ROCK N ROLL & PUNK IDENTITY THEY STOOD OUT FROM AN OVER SATURATED DENIM SCENE!
NTMB IS FORMED OF 2 CREATIVES MATTEO & DAVIDE FROM NAPLES, ITALY. NTMB’S DNA IS TO UPCYCLE AND REWORK EXISTING & SALVAGED MATERIAL REUSING THEM AND GIVING NEW LIFE INTO ONE OFF PIECES. EACH GARMENT IS HAND CRAFTED WITH APPLIQUÉ, LETTERING, STUDS & PATCHES. THEIR ITEMS ARE TRULY HAND CRAFTED AND A LABOUR OF LOVE. NTMB IS UNDOUBTEDLY INDIVIDUAL, EDGY & IT TAKES A CERTAIN COOL SELF-CONFIDENCE TO WEAR THEIR CLOTHING. POPULAR WITH THE LIKES OF THE WEEKEND, P. DIDDY & SITABELLAN, NTMB HAS ALSO COLLABORATED WITH BRANDS WRANGLER, COCCOLE A BIMBI, ARENA & FAITH CONNECTION. IT’S GREAT TO SEE THIS RAW AND HARD HITTING DENIM BRAND MAKING AN IMPACT!
Name NTMB
Occupation: designer / denim consultation
Location: Naples
IG Handle: @ntmb_official
Website: ntmb.it
What is NTMB?
NTMB is a Neapolitan brand by Davide De Vivo and Matteo Paloni. Davide born and grew up in Naples, graduating in Eastern languages and cultures. Matteo was also born and grew up in Naples, graduating in Industrial fashion design.
Tell us, have you always been into fashion?
Davide no, but Matteo owned a brand before working on NTMB.
Q: What does your brand name NTMB stand for?
NTMB stands for never too much basic
Q:What advice would you give to someone starting out on a similar career path?
It may sound like a sentence of a movie, but believe in what you are doing.
Q:What would you tell your younger self?
Not be afraid of the FUTURE. Express and show yourself without shame and don't settle for compromise.
Q:If you weren’t a fashion designer, what would you be?
Davide a farmer.
Matteo a chef.
Q: What is your favorite part of what you do?
When we develop new ideas on garments and we can't wait to see the end result. Successful or a flop, it's always a surprise.
Q: Where did the idea come from to start your brand NTMB?
6 years ago we were discussing that in contemporary society, the idea was spreading that everyone should behave, act, think, talk, eat, drink and wear the same, to be part of something and for sure to be better. But basic isn’t only about the concept of “clean” clothes, but above all it's about being brave enough to show the real YOU!
Q: One thing I love about your work is its individuality and that each of your designs is made by hand. Tell us about your process and how long it takes to create your designs?
As you know faster is better, time is the worst enemy of the human beings. For us time is very important and today there is a lot of competition as to who can deliver a collection in time. For us, it is fundamental to give the same importance to all pieces in a production. For some 1/1 pieces it can take 4 days to finish. The creative process is for sure longer, but you know slow fashion is like having a dinner in a restaurant with your friends; sharing ideas and opinions about something and it can create the best link among people. It needs the right time.
Q: Who has been your most exciting customer?
ALL our customers. I know it may be sound a polite answer, but you know it is like exploring the feelings of people and we have to show them on a garment. It's a journey through the ideas of customers and their inner personality - it's a privilege having this chance to show them.
Q: You have collaborated with the brand Faith Connection, how did that come about?
It happened in 2016 on IG when we shared some likes and requested to collaborate together. It was amazing and we were at the beginning of our project but a brand like FC noticed our work made us really excited. I personally remember sewing the first sample; a denim jacket with a mix of little denim pieces from our denim scraps and the tags in different colours. It took 2 days to finish. When we found it on Vogue Runway, it was a shock! It's a really moving memory. FC gave us many good emotions and feelings!
Q: What or who is your dream collaboration?
Faustine Steinmetz - for sure the best denim label of this century.
Q: If anyone, alive or dead, could wear your designs, who would it be?
David Bowie
Q: Who should everyone be following on Instagram right now?
A long list of people who need to have a new “shock” for their vision about fashion.
‘Do not be afraid of the FUTURE. Express and show yourself without shame and don't settle for compromise.’
DAVIDE & MATTEO FROM NTMB
Q: What is the last text you sent or received?
Davide a text from my friend back from China and Matteo from his friend.
Q: You have a free day to do anything, what do you do?
Usually Sunday. With families or friends.
Q: Coffee or tea?
Caffè!
Q: Where is your favourite city?
NAPOLI
Q: What would you do if you won the lottery?
It depends on the sum!
Q:What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Coffee and reading some news.
Q: What jeans are you wearing right now?
Davide dark blue levi's and Matteo an adidas tracksuit.
Q: How many jeans do you own?
Personally or archive because the number radically changes!
Q: Breakfast of champions?
Sleepiness is stronger than hunger!
Q: Best meal you’ve ever had?
Davide the ragù made by mom and Matteo a ramen in Tokyo last summer.
Q: Bus, Tube or Taxi?
Tube
Q: How many languages do you speak?
Davide 4 ( italian, english, japanese and neapolitan) Matteo 3 ( italian, english and neapolitan )
Q: Tell us one thing people might not know about you?
Both of us are too organized.
Q: The last item of clothing you bought?
Davide a bomber and Matteo a pair of shoes and a hoodie.
Q: What does the future hold for NTMB?
A NEW ERA.