We had the exciting opportunity to interview Le Messie of FALSE. He tells us about his upcoming projects, his stylistic devices, and a whole lot more about FALSE and what Le Messie and his brand has in store for us in the coming future. Jump for the full interview and pics.

Tell us a bit more about FALSE, and how it came about / started.

LM: FALSE began in early 2005 starting out as a small art project of individually hand-screened and hand-distressed garments.

What were the first products you guys came up with, and what were your founding inspirations?

LM: In those earlier days we derived much of our inspiration from Japanese labels like (N)umber Nine and the like. After much obsessive observations we started experimenting with various techniques in hand-screen printing and garment distressing. T-shirts were and is still our primary source… the walking canvases.

We know that Lupe Fiasco is a big fan of False, tell us more about that!

LM: Lupe’s not a fan, we’re more like family. He’s been supporting us from the get go. I work with him on many levels from design to music and it’s been a very fruitful experience.

Will the clothing from False be located in stores locally?

LM: We’re waiting for the right store to come along, and let things move organically.

Tell us more about False sounds and how you guys recorded the track with Lupe Fiasco.

LM: I originally started out my creative stance from a musical point and having FALSE Sounds right now is like being a kid in a candy store. I’m just looking to slowly make some original works that will be synonymous with the FALSE Sound. We will be releasing my first EP under FALSE Sounds entitled “My Minds A Scary Place” by end this year. For the “Fighters Feat. Matthew Santos” track, the initial song writing and composition was produced in Singapore and then sent to 1st & 15th Studios in Chicago where Lupe did his magic.

What is FALSE? Is it an existential issue? WHO, WHEN, and of course, WHY?

LM: FALSE is predominantly a creative house homing hand-screened garments, to cut and sew lines, to functional products and independent music.
I would like to think of FALSE as more a movement, a collage of ideas extending through different avenues linking back to the same core ideology and values. A giant art project intertwined to grab the participant’s attention and then for them to question, followed by actual action.
In early 2005 FALSE began as Amanda Scully and myself, a physical manifestation of our call to the creative wild. We live and breathe it and it gives us sustenance. FALSE is all about sending messages and inspiring action through words, images, art, fashion, culture and music. We have over the years obtained this on a global scale and look to grow organically into our message as we move along.

We’ve seen that FALSE attempts to bring the old and the new together as a singular, is this convergence a deliberate move? Is there a message all those people dropping money are missing?

LM: We look at evolution on being evolution from recognizing it’s past. We try to do the same with our works and message. There are messages everywhere, it’s when we stop to be aware, only then we question.

This stylistic device, what is it inspired by?

LM: It’s inspired by life, questions, mysticism, exploration, music, joy, laughter and the innate ability to express oneself to the fullest.

We see plenty of thick lines in your designs, does it mean anything deeper than just a mere graphic?

LM: I would like to think so, but of course each reality is his own and I take just as much pleasure from a participant seeing more than as if they saw less. The goal is to grab a participant.

FALSE seems to have a very strong DIY ethic. Where did this stem from? Were you into punk, or hardcore when you were a kid? After all, there is a FALSE Anarchist Cookbook, and your logo is definitely reminiscent of the ‘Anarchy A’.

LM: Like many growing up in a multicultural society fueled by western culture, I think I was all of the above. I had a strong rebellious childhood, leaving school at the early age of 12 and joining wayward youths on the street, I began skating soon after and have been molded by the music and lifestyle influences to what I’ve become today. Our FALSE logo was adapted from the ALF (Animal Liberation Front) logo. We’re both avid animal lovers!

FALSE strongly emphasizes that each individual garment is hand screened, and hand finished, is this meant to take away the ‘ready-made’ aspect that has come to be woven into the regular mills of so many labels these days? Attachment, instead of detachment?

LM: I would think that’s safe to say. A hand-screened tee exudes life like none other, a wearable canvas that lends its energy to you each time you put it on.

Who or what inspires Le Messie THE MOST, and how?

LM: The energy of life in itself inspires me, just being able to wake up and breathe each morning inspires me.

We see that FALSE is an umbrella with subsidiaries such as FALSE Sounds, the FALSE Mag, etc.
What else will we see Le Messie spearheading in the near future?

LM: At the moment I’m bringing back my Black Watch Co. timepiece project this time slated for the retail stores internationally, we have a project called Stasher by FALSE that’s interesting and will be launching in October 2009. We also have a new eyewear brand called FALSeyes coming up. I think I have a few more but my plates a lil full so I gotta eat up what I got for now.

How do you feel about people wearing suspenders and a belt?

LM: I don’t really feel anything much about it really, to each his own. We all gotta keep our pants on ….at times!

Back on track, what does FALSE have in store for Singapore? Will Singaporeans feel the presence of FALSE more than they are at the moment?

LM: Maybe in time, we’re just waiting on the right organic connection and perfect timing to seed.

What are Le Messie’s 10 essential items, and why?

LM: I’m not one for much selection and like to just keep company with things that keep me comfortable and functional:

1.    Bottega Veneta Wallet
2.    Bottega Veneta Sandals
3.    Polo Ralph Lauren distressed military cargo shorts
4.    Rolex OP Datejust
5.    Stussy Mesh Hat
6.    Iphone with TweetDeck/Facebook/Touch Grind
7.    FALSE Tee
8.    FALSEyes Shades
9.    Leica D-Lux
10.    A good book on the mystical arts in spirituality

Thanks sexy pout, and we hope to see you around soon!