Austin Babbitt @asspizza photographed by Taryn Segal @taryn._ Interviewed by Jess Abene @212212212.212
Austin Babbitt, better known as Ass Pizza, gave us a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit his studio during Locktober.
What is Locktober you may ask?
Well....imagine streaming 24 hours a day, everyday for an entire month.
Showering on his fire escape and sleeping with a camera in his face, viewers got to see every waking moment of what it was like to be Ass Pizza. We were lucky enough to visit him and ask some questions!!
Vfiles: What was your first memory at Vfiles?
AP: In 2014, me and my friend William went to just look around and shit. I bought this weird newspaper print shirt, forget what brand it was but I have a photo of it. Then I really got to know the VFILES people - I met MiketheRuler for the first time outside. He had bought a shirt from me and had ask to meet up outside of the store. He got one of the first Ass Pizza shirts ever.
Vfiles: If you could describe your experience there in 3 words what would it be?
AP: SUPER REALLY COOL
Vfiles: Did you and Danielle Greco ever collab on anything together?
AP: Nahhh I was nervous... she has just like a strong personality but I always really admired her style. She is reallllly cool - I would definitely shoot her for a look book or something ya know she is like a movie character. Shout out to THUGS BUNNY
Vfiles: What was the first event you held at 12 Mercer?
AP: They let me and Cian take portraits of people wearing Ass Pizza masks in 2019 - we just wanted to set up a little photo studio there and have random people take pics. Then we did that same idea last year where there was a line outside the door. It went around the block and people just came in quickly and styled themselves in our clothes.
Vfiles: I think I saw your signature on the bench!!
AP: Oh really????? Back in the day? WOWWW
Vfiles: How did you and Mike the Rulers friendship develop?
AP: I think we were just friends on IG - just internet friends for awhile - and then we would hang out and every time I saw him he would always want to distress jeans or draw over jeans. I just remember us in my basement making pants. I wasn't so much of a fashion person.. I didn't know about runway or any thing so he would give me a lot of pointers. If you ever need advice - he is the best person to go to which I am extremely grateful for.
Vfiles: I feel like you are surrounded by so many people with the same creative focus
AP: We all help each other - we all learn something from everyone.. I am very grateful for my friends
Vfiles: What was the first collab you did where you were like woah
AP: Robin Jeans :) They had never collaborated with anyone before and Ive always worn them. When they had the store in Soho I would pop in there all the time.
Vfiles: How did that come about?
AP: I just DMed them asking to collab and it was Robins son who really reached out and told his dad "Yo you gotta work with Austin." Shout out to his son. But Robin is a REAL artist, he is a real tastemaker. When you visit his factory you get to see everything get hand made.
Vfiles: There is an INSANE energy around the stuff that you do - is it ever planned?
AP: I really don't plan it. It always starts as an idea and really comes together which really made me believe in God. The way you just start walking on the path with confidence that this is gonna work and seeing things come together so naturally - it hits you that this is fate.
Vfiles: When it come to collabs - how do you decide what you are going to say yes to?
AP: Umm its just stuff that I respect and is a natural thing. I've never had to sign a contract for anything like I trust them and they trust me and we are going to make something cool. Usually its my friends or people I know.
Vfiles: When it comes to trust - does that come from something you know about the brand or is it energy?
AP: Well they have to definitively make cool stuff - like Von Dutch asked me to collab this month and immediately I was like "Lets do it." Just to have fun with it and explore different ideas I have. Its dope to take something that already exists and put your own swag to it.
Vfiles: With the Von Dutch - I've been seeing you use Ai to get the logos together - do you support Ai in the creative world?
AP: I mean.. I use it as a tool. Everyone freaked out though when I used it in a video like the clip went viral. I never thought I was going to be someone who was down for it like I would NEVER use it to give me an idea from scratch. The way I am using it is just the same way I use photoshop. But I think it is a very good tool that is here to stay no matter what --it is only gonna get crazier and if you don't adapt you are gonna be cooked.
Vfiles: Whats your favorite sauce?
AP: Honey
Vfiles: Whats your favorite thing to put honey on?
AP: Bread
Vfiles: If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be?
AP: Nicolas Cage
Vfiles: Why?
AP: Hes one person I really look up to. Before hes gone I wanna connect. He is the most slept on actor and honestly artist. The way he lives his life is inspiring for real.
Vfiles: Whats your favorite tattoo?
AP: The face tat.
AP: Its rare to find someone you are fully comfortable with. You should only be around people that you can sing and dance around ya know. When things are awkward - that is Gods way of telling you that maybe you shouldn't be with that person. There could be someone where they are "great people" whatever and when somethings off - somethings awkward its a signal. If you force it - you are ignoring the sign. Some people you just meet and its like "Alright - you fully get it."
Vfiles: What is are your future goals?
AP: My real goal is to own American made factories. The most important stuff is the physical. The most important stuff is the stuff that couldn't exist. Like Ai can't make our patch work pants. This is real human stuff. I want to make real quality things.
Vfiles: When you are onboarding people - how do you know that they will be the right fit?
AP: I DONT. I swear - I just let God connect with the right people.
Vfiles: How did you come up with the sayings spray painted on your walls?
AP: Well - I wrote "Power isn't earned its taken" because nobody is going to give you the power or the respect you deserve. You have to step up and take it. You have to make yourself be heard. Break down the walls and escape. You have to put yourself in the conversation.
AP: I always bite off more than I can chew. You have to learn to adapt and you can't be scared.
Vfiles: Do you believe in the 3% rule?
AP: Of changing something? Thats kinda what originally inspired me to design. I would be on the train and looking at peoples outfits and Id always ask myself, "How can I make this persons outfit cooler?" I like making things that if you found it in a thrift store you would be excited about it. I want people to be like "wtf this is the craziest thing I've ever seen."
Vfiles: Do you think seeing things in that way was an active decision?
AP: Since I was a kid Ive always been customizing shit. My parents were always encouraging us (me and my brother) to just have fun. I used to customize action figures and draw. They put up with so much.
Vfiles: Do you tap into your childhood a lot during your creative process?
AP: Definitely. I feel like everyone does.
Our OG Vfiles king xxx thank you for sitting and chatting with us!