Today we’d like to introduce you to Maximilian Ponce de Leon.
Maximilian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Music and clothes is all I think about. Most of the time, I forget about everything else, I will be lost in gskf.world. A playa is orbitin’. I will be worried about me while you lookin’ to see. If you searching for me, I could be found on that Northwest. Houston, Texas that is, rollin’ through with something to do. I’m also known as Twigg.de.Leon and every since high school, I’ve been down with Goldskin Kinfo’k. I feel like people need to know what Goldskin Kinfo’k means. Knowing yourself and acting out without copying the next man or women is powerful. Shining with a purpose that’s real, you don’t even know how effective it is until someone spills out how you impact and intimidate them. This a good thing. Goldskin is a strong notion of being your true and best form. It’s characteristics that people lust for and if they respect you, those attributes motivate them. You don’t wanna be talking click bait feinin’ for the approval of attention. Kinfo’k is a southern term for family, being tight and there when it’s most needed. I’m Afro-Latino and I’m really for my people. They need something to wear so we don’t look similar. GSKF was made because our perspective had style; plus living this made creating this a necessity. I do most of the design work with Position7, that dude there is crazy with it. PaisleyQueen is also a great help with that plus connecting with outlets. I’m not much of a talker to strangers so she is a secret weapon for me. I created Goldskin Kinfo’k because I didn’t want to belong to anything I felt couldn’t represent me 100 percent. A lot of people don’t get it but they don’t get themselves so what do expect? I met Position7 in between classes in my senior year, my sister introduced us. He said he made beats and I flowed, so it was on ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
NO, A BIG NO. This kind of thing I’m doing is hard as hell but I dig a challenging factor. I had to deal with some bullshitting type of people, who swear on God they got your best interest in mind. All that stuff makes me laugh though because it came and went like lightweight should do. The biggest struggle I’ve faced is trying to juggle my time and accommodating to others doing things as a group. I’m not trying to do things like everyone else and it’s difficult when people don’t want to build things from the ground up. I take pride in creating ideas but put pride aside when it’s time to rethink the approach. I’m going to take that risk making myself uncomfortable, I hate chillin’ when it doesn’t reveal a reason. But my advice on how to manage this is simple, DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOW YOU’RE MAKING SOMEONE FEEL IF YOU’RE DOING WHAT YOU GOT TO DO. Us, as humans, are going to continue to have an opinion regardless. Write everything down, put time aside, attack it and study the results. You’ll know whether or not you’re slippin’ on something. If you’re starting out, don’t forget to center what you love to do around fun, that’ll keep your the happiest.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m the head/creator of the brand so I typically lead in orchestrating the next drop. From the embroidery details (with the help of Position7), getting or creating a certain garment, organizing a shoot (with the help of PaisleyQueen), creating the concepts, marketing, financing, and overseeing the website (with the help of Position7 and PaisleyQueen). When it comes to the graphics, Position7 is the go-to and when it comes to social media, PaiselyQueen got that on looooooooock. I’m quietly known for making GSKF my entire life, plus my style and survival. Hop in these streets and hustle with me if you can. I’m proud most about the demand for it, seeing people happy when they get items is rewarding. As an organization or service provider? We bring style and knowledge. We emphasize and provide accessibility to all kinds of people, we should be for everyone and we try our best to get feedback from people on how we approach our clothes. If you’re out on the block getting it in, you should be GSKF down, if you’re in college needing a sweater in class, it should be GSKF. If you’re at work looking presentable, you’re shirt and socks should be GSKF, when you tryna slide out for the night to look good, you need that GSKF on, you do. All I’m trying to say is… GSKF is a high class for all occasions. If you rocking that, you getting peeped. What sets apart from others? No one cares about quality but you know who does. 😉
Contact Info:
- Address: 290 Northwest Houston, Texas
- Website: www.gskf.world
- Phone: 8328632698
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @GSKF.WORLD, @GOLDSKIN3KINFOK, @GOLDSKINGYAL, @Twigg.de.leon, @POSITION7, @LESLEYRESENDIZ
- Facebook: GSKF.WORLD, GOLDSKIN KINFO”K
- Twitter: GSKFWORLD
Image Credit:
All photos taking by Marco, @_mrslump, In photos: @goldskin3kinfok, @twigg.de.leon, @position7, @lesleyresendiz, @1.js, @amirthestrong, @supersaiyanuli
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
