GOODWILL, Loyalty. The Cover featuring BLU BOY and RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

"Bringing the absolute best out of each other is the nature of our friendship."

LA based Designers Blu Boy and Rashaun Dyon Pauleon at Malibu El Matador beach

The GAHSP Digital Cover of VOLUME VII, Loyalty documents the friendship of designers Blu Boy and Rashaun Dyon Pauleon. At the intersection of their creative worlds the cover opens up a dialogue about how a modern digital art practice can deepen the bond between Creatives, while creating new inspiring landscapes for the 3D.

El Matador, Malibu, CA. 13th of August, 2022.

Disclaimer: this cover is a digital experience bound to real-time events and relationships, therefore cannot be replicated.

THE STORY

Of Blu Boy and Rashaun Dyon Pauleon

BLU BOY

Profession:

Artist & Fashion Designer

Current Location:

Los Angeles

Introduction:

Hey, I’m Blu Boy. Visual Artist + Founder of WNTD Apparel. I have been creating art since grade school and designing clothes for about 7 years now. I’ve worked for all the top brands and artists out there from MCM, True Religion, and Sprite!

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

Profession:

Fashion Designer & Creative Director

Current Location:

Los Angeles

Introduction:

My name is Rashaun Dyon Pauleon and I'm the founder and designer for NO.ERRORS.

Context:

I've designed for Off-White and creative directed for True Religion FW19. I also worked alongside blu occasionally with WNTD and Ghost Supply.

THE COVER

Tell us about the nature of your friendship. What are activities and goals that you share?

BLU BOY

Bringing the absolute best out of each other is the nature of our friendship. Since I met Rashaun in grade school it’s been all about laughter and self improvement. We’re both very goal driven, so it works perfectly.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

I've known Blu since the 6th grade and we've always been super competitive with each other. I see it as motivation. Who doesn't want to be the best.

In what ways do current digital trends and communities inspire your work? What role does your friendship play in connecting to broader ideas and networks?

BLU BOY

I don’t like most “trends” but the ones I do like I try to bring taste to it. Me and Rashaun are mostly focused on creating new trends opposed to following the ones that are out.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

I don't think I capitalize off digital trends enough honestly. I missed the NFT boom and I'm not too active on TikTok and stuff. I tried it a few times but i don't think its really for me. I love seeing what Blu has done with his NFTs though because so many of those projects are really trashy scams and the art style sucks.

How does loyalty within your friendship translate to your creative careers? What are ways you support each other and where do you draw limitations?

BLU BOY

So many ups and downs in this game, it’s good to know you have someone that’s going to ride with you to the end. Before I put anything out I run it past Rashaun first to get feedback I trust. I don’t think it would be as fun if I didn’t have Rashaun to take on all these challenges.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

We just try to keep things in the family. Anytime we get an opportunity to branch out and expand we just know the first person to hit up. The only limitation is what these brands and companies put on us. If I can have my friends on every project with me I would 100%. But as an artist sometimes you have to remember to secure yourself before you start looking to give out opportunities to others. If you rush it too fast it can fall through for everyone.

What are values that you see in each other’s creative work that the outsider viewer might not discover without knowing you personally?

BLU BOY

The taste level Rashaun designs on is extremely high. He’s so technical and knows more about fashion than me so I’m constantly looking at him for guidance.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

There's honestly only 2 people's opinions I care about when it comes to my work on an artist level. Then, from there, I think about it from a consumer level. If I do something and Blu doesn't think it's cool it kind of kills the idea for me.

THE QU & A

What are 3 values that you wish to mediate through your work?

BLU BOY

You can always count on me to keep it creative, innovative, and conceptual

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

Confidence, color and experimenting.

What are 3 relevant problems that you wish to solve through your work?

BLU BOY

Getting more independent artists working with corporate companies, the mental health of artists, and teaching more entrepreneurship to creatives. I want to show kids all around the world you don’t have to play by anyone's rules but your own. The art and fashion world set up all these different roadblocks and I’m here to tear them down.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

I'll be real with you, I just want it to be fun. I'm not trying to fix the world with my clothes. I don't really think it's that serious. I just want people to be confident, look fly and come out of their comfort zone when it comes to experimenting with color and silhouettes.

GOODWILL

How can we become more transparent with each other?

BLU BOY

By not taking life so seriously. I think me and Rashaun’s sense of humor and easy going personalities is what allows us to be so transparent with each other. There is nothing we can’t make into a hilarious joke.

RASHAUN DYON PAULEON

The simplest answer is if you have a problem just say it. We’re all adults, even if you don't agree, if you say what you got a problem with nobody can be surprised or confused by your reaction after that. You aren't always going to agree with each other on how to solve it but that's fine as long as everyone knows what the problem is, it's easier to get past it. The most annoying part is when one person is just upset and the other person doesn't know, or can tell something is off but can't put a finger on what.