Today we’d like to introduce you to Chi.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hey wassup, my name is Chi, and I’m the founder of Chi qc™. In 1998 I was born to a body of African & Korean descent in Charlotte, NC. As a child I was very curious and creative, sketching Dragon Ball Z, reading psychology and engineering books, making comic books, building electric car sets, and so much more. Eventually, the trials of life really weighed me down and I forgot who I was as a person. Near a breaking point, God opened my mind in a flash of Grace on Feb 11, 2014, and Chi qc™ was born. that was my Sophomore year of High School, and I haven’t let up since then. I was bold about my calling because The Lord confirmed it, but there was a huge growing period ahead of me. I have such a sporadic creativity that it took me years to learn how to focus and consistently finish ideas. I have a lot of skeletons in my creative closet.
Along my journey I picked up on Design, Music Production, Film Making, Sewing, Writing, Supply Chain, and Photography, performing well in all of them. Understanding all these different fields has made me a better problem solver and communicator, especially when it comes to collaboration. In April 2018, I decided to move to LA, one of the biggest decisions I ever made in my life. I was so scared and homesick that I was extremely depressed for nearly 6 months, and I mean EXTREMELY depressed. My maturity accelerated in this period as I started learning how to cook, maneuver in the world “alone”, and truly put my trust in Jesus. there’s much more between the lines, like getting hit by a car last December, but looking back I see that God had me the whole time.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has certainly not been a smooth road! But it’s been a graceful one. I decided not to attend college, against family wishes, because it felt wrong in my spirit. I knew what God put in my heart and I wasn’t willing to compromise. A year after High school I got a big break, some dance videos I edited went viral, and I began to make films and commercials full time. I was getting booked by Fortune 500 companies and getting spam from popular artists, but soon Chi qc™ became something it wasn’t meant to be. Against worldly logic, I decided I had to put the camera down and really seek my convictions. How could I use my gifts to help the world?
It took me two years to fully answer that question, which brings us to 2019.
I live in LA now and I’ve realized that we’re all going to die. I’ve realized that most people die without ever realizing their purpose in life or salvation, which is the saddest part. In light of this, I saw that by using Chi qc™ to assist people in their walk with enlightenment & The Lord (through clothing, film, events, discussions, or any sensible option) then the rest will fall in order. The solution was that simple, and it gives freedom to application, just like everyone born of the Spirit.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chi qc™ – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My main goal with Chi qc™ is to spread the essence of life through Film, clothing, Events, and Spiritual discussions. Above all, I personally aim to be a good example for others. Before everything kicked off, my research revealed that a majority of companies mistreat and undervalue their employees, even their customers, this should not be. I tackle this issue by offering sweatshop-free and sustainable products, along with educating people on the harmful inverse. Currently, my manufacturing is focused around Up-cycling, turning recycled clothes into new clothes, all made in LA. America trashes about 250M pounds of textiles a decade, we’ve gotta get more creative with our solutions immediately. The film team is still growing, but there are about four scripts ready to go with this sort of “Street Wabi-Sabi” style. Chi qc™ Film will most likely debut Mid-2020.
I would say that I’m most proud of the fact that Chi qc™ is growing a fan base of people that not only care about good art but have a love for humanity. It’s easy to get lost in the balance sheet but I’m counting how many people look to us for guidance, and I won’t let them down. The quality which sets us apart is intimacy & enigma. Everything I write and design comes from a pure & vulnerable place, but I love to study world culture as well and bring new light to conversations. The enigma side is simple, I hate doing things twice so I strive to do better and surprise you at every turn, Who said there was nothing new under the sun?
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My favorite thing about Los Angeles is the crazy amount of food, cultural scenes, hidden gems, food, and creative people that you run into every day. Back in Charlotte, NC, the creative scene is still growing so everybody knows everybody, but LA’s like Charlotte x1000 and it’s very inspiring. I also love the access this city gives you to resources, that’s one of the biggest reasons I made the move. If I need fabric, there’s a district, If I want electronics, there’s a humongous store, and if I need to meditate, there’s a hidden garden. Maybe I’m just from the country, but I love it! Truly, I consider LA as the Milan, Italy of our time.
My least favorite thing about this city is the lack of true love. I see a lot of sadness, neglect, STDs, and insecurities because everyone is chasing the fame or next high. I believe you don’t need to pursue what you can attract, so work on your relationship with God and the rest will fall in order. The least we can do is put our minds & actions together to help the homeless, and not get so consumed in our own desires. Not only is LA homelessness the worst in all America, but LA snobs are some of the worst in all America. I’m probably a snob now myself, but I just wish there was more compassion & patience between people.
Pricing:
- Upcycled Patchwork Shorts = $200-300
- Upcycled Winter Shorts = $150-200
- Upcycled Summer Shorts = $100-200
Contact Info:
- Website: Chiqcbrand.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chi.qc/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chi_qc
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/360chii/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Joseph Pratt, Zalmighty, Jordan Hill, Gerald Brooks, Aisce Photography
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
