ComplexLand Brands to Watch: ALL CAPS STUDIO by Saeed Ferguson

ALL CAPS’ stockists include Boston’s Bodega and 18 East, a brand started by Antonio Ciongoli who connected with Ferguson through a mutual friend, Cameron Booth, and has supported him from the start. Ferguson has also sold product at Circulate Market, an in-store retail initiative for designers who are people of color that Circulate’s Corey Populus formed with PacSun stores across the country. He recently collaborated with Andafterthat, a bubbling San Antonio–based brand that’s cultivated an online following for its bootlegs based on iconic films like Heat and American Psycho. And there’s also an upcoming collab with Chicago’s RSVP Gallery that he’s teased on social media. 

“I’m inspired a lot by the homies. We’re surrounded by so many people doing such cool things,” says Ferguson, who notes brands like Hathenbruck, Boot Boyz, Mr. Green, Bricks & Wood, and Circulate as companies that inspire him. “There’s so many more I could name. You see them do something, [and I’m] like, ‘Holy shit. I wanna make something now.’ It’s a constant circle of inspiration and encouragement.”

He’s also open to more collaborations, as long as they make sense. 

“Collaboration is so hard,” says Ferguson. “It takes time to develop that story and figure out what to do with that. You don’t wanna make stuff just to make stuff. At least I don’t. To make it feel right and good takes time. And some companies don’t understand that.”

For its virtual booth at ComplexLand, ALL CAPS STUDIO will be re-releasing pieces from its 15th collection, including graphic T-shirts paying homage to jazz composer Sun Ra ($57), a new orange colorway of its popular “Peace and Love” hoodie in collaboration with Carrots ($150), and trucker caps sporting a new teddy bear logo ($45). 

“I hope they think what we’re doing is interesting and inspiring,” he tells Complex. “With the wording that we use, we try to be constantly encouraging. We just hope people think it’s fun.”