Life & Work with Amir Halim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amir Halim.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started out gaining popularity taking pictures, skateboarding, and doing videography in Victorville, CA. I wanted to be a photographer bad until summer 2011 my cousin Chris introduced me to a designing program. I did a design everyday for the entire summer, and we developed a plan to start a brand. Things didn’t fall through with me and my cousin brand because my relative moved back to San Diego. I ended up going to college in Carson, CA & that’s when the real development of my brand started. During my first year, I would pitch to everyone I’m starting a brand, so come my second year I decided to fully go with it. My first initial $2000 investment money I saved from working at JcPenny.

Right before I was about to invest my car broke down. I was left with starting my brand or investing in a vehicle. Everyone said the car was the route, yet I had a different plan. I took a risk and never looked back. Continued to design clothing for my friends, and I wasn’t making much money but I was having fun. Every drop started to feel like a life high. I felt like I was moving in the right direction and nothing could take away from that. I knew my purpose to life. I started to get integrated into the Los Angeles, CA culture during that time. I would sell and gain friends all over the land. I applied to an internship with DJ Atron & Dejon’s A Day in LA to design album/mixtape artwork and that propelled my game a little further. I gained a lot of knowledge from making me learn things I wouldn’t have making t-shirts. I was still in college so I couldn’t make the internship full time, but the relationships I gained from that was priceless. I went on to start making mixtape/album artwork on my own and designed from some of the up and coming artists like Kalan FRFR, Kee Riche$, Westkillinit, FK FMB, Isiah Jay, Radio Aktive, AZ Swaye, etc. Meanwhile making logos for every one of my friends who was starting a brand.

I shortly stopped making artwork/designs because I had a lot on my plate because I started acting. I started to take acting classes at my college in my 3rd year of college. I gained a lot of experience learning from some of the best professors and decided to take advantage of it. I got my braces off and jumped full into acting. I would go to auditions and actually get booked. It was coming to a point where I felt acting was slightly taking off more than clothing. I graduated from college in 2019 and found my lane. I’d be this clothing designing actor and it made sense. From everything, I’ve done custom made my dream come true. I started in my first lead on a short film with Boonie and was very grateful. Auditions would slow down because of coronavirus, but that would never stop the grind. I started working with my close friends on a management venture called 1Roof Entertainment. Nowadays, I’m writing, managing, acting, and developing clothes.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Far from a smooth road… I’d say the main struggle was capital. You’ll have these great dreams and you’ll lose your place to stay, car, or have to pay a bill. Then you can’t invest and now your stuck in your artist’s head thinking you’ll quickly become a has been in a month.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an artist, graphic designer, actor, and now manager. It would depend on who your asking, but for the most part I’m known for all four. I’m most proud of clothing to be honest because of the discipline it takes to succeed. I think the combination of developing clothes, acting, and having a brand sets me apart. It sets me apart unintentionally because my dream came to me. I never went to it

What makes you happy?
It makes me happy to wake up everyday & making it home every night. I’ve lost many family and friends so I’m content with living.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.shopcheel.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/amirhclim
• Twitter: Twitter.com/amirhclim
• Other: www.shopcheel.tumblr.com

Image Credits
Photographed by Amir Halim & Tiara Alexis