Business has designs on sales boom in US as graduate's work endorsed by Pharrell Williams and Tinie Tempah
A clothing designer from Wolverhampton who has been endorsed by the likes of Pharrell Williams and Tinie Tempah is looking forward to business booming this year after registering his own company in the US.
Richard Campbell, aka MR.CAM, graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2011 with a degree in Illustration. Completing his Masters in Communication at the University of Birmingham in 2012, he became self-employed in December 2014, initially launching his designs in the UK.
Now the 27-year-old has became a registered company in the US, under the name MR.CAM Ltd.
His T-shirt designs grace the backs of an array of international celebrities including NBA star Danny Green, actor Frankie Muniz and Friends star Matt LeBlanc. His work has also been included in the gifting suites for the 2015 Oscars, MTV awards and the Emmys.
Mr Campbell said "I have always believed that my designs would go somewhere. At first people would say 'oh, I don't quite get that' but it would never put me off. I just kept going."
He describes his style as 'contemporary surrealism' and said he was determined to provide unique and personal designs to both celebrities and public buyers of his clothing.
"These days, people work so hard for their money and end up all looking the same or wearing just some off-the-rack trend.
"The work I do is bespoke and tailored to the individual so it becomes something more personal and unique to them," he added.
The designer is supported in the US by a promotional team who assist in marketing his designs stateside. He works closely with CEO of label Bible LA, Sabrina Machado, based in Los Angeles. Having worked tirelessly to build up a network of sponsors, endorsements and even completed charity work, Mr Campbell said he is now looking forward to meeting again with hip hop artist and Radio 1 DJ Charlie Sloth at the end of this month to work on how his designs can be promoted through the BBC.
"I first met Charlie Sloth in November 2013, and I gave him one of my T-shirts as a gift. One of his entourage approached me to ask if I had anymore as he really liked the style," he said.
"He asked for my details and said we would work together in getting my designs out there. Hopefully that will come to fruition soon."
He has also been approached by the clothing line of US hip hop star Pharrell Williams, called Billionaire Boys Club, after his pictures of the singer wowed bosses via Twitter. And he met Tinie Tempah at a gig in Wolverhampton who said he was thrilled to receive one of his T-shirts.
Mr Campbell said he eventually hopes to see his designs feature in music videos and to continue to build his label in the US in order to move over there full time.
"When all this really started to take off, I had to really change my attitude – it was no use being starstruck by these celebrities, I had to really take it seriously.
"Ever since then, I've really grown to believe in myself. I think perseverance and humility are really key," he added.
