Exclusive: We Spoke To J Balvin At His Limited-Time SoHo Pop-Up
Medellín has come to SoHo with the limited J Balvin x Vélez collaboration but it’s only here until Sunday, September 13th. Global icon J Balvin is teaming up with heritage Colombian brand Vélez for an exclusive pop-up that seamlessly blends high-fashion leather craftsmanship with street-ready vibes.
Secret NYC stepped inside the vibrant Shopify space at 131 Greene St. which was transformed into old-world cultural nostalgia with a modern twist. We chatted with J Balvin about bringing his native Colombia to the streets of NYC, his connection to the city and what this bold collaboration means to him.
Talk about this collaboration with Vélez and why it’s important to you?
It’s really important because we brought Medellin Colombia to SoHo New York. We brought our collection with Vélez, who put so much love and effort into the story. This is about high crafted details, it’s about how the farmers in our country-especially from Antioquia where we’re from, worked so hard to do things right and with passion. You can see in everything we do, the details are on another level.
Why was it was significant for you to bring this collaboration to NYC?
To me New York has always been an inspiration. They say “if you make it in New York, you make it anywhere.” This is the first city that gave me a huge chance to be a well-known artist, it was the first city to really play my music on radio. I have so much gratitude for it. I love New York. I think it makes up part of my DNA, of course Colombia is the most important but after that it’s New York, it’s definitely really special.
How would you describe NYC fashion?
I would describe it as a free soul, it’s just freedom. It’s beautiful when you’re walking around and you see people and they look like they’re from the ‘70s, then you see people who are in the year 2000, then you see the most iconic people who look like they’re on the runway.
Which part of NYC has the best fashion?
It’s everywhere, I can’t point to one place. If you want urban style you’re going back to The Bronx, Queens, Harlem, You have to go back to the places where it impacts culture in the U.S. in general and in the world. Every corner in New York has a flavor and different style.
You used to live in NYC right?
Yes I lived here. When I started out I used to take dogs out for walks, I used to sleep on the floor in Queens. There’s a lot of stories.