In Conversation with Royal Rel
Wearing NikeLab NRG DH Layering Jacket (Asia Exclusive), NikeLab NRG DH Layering Pants (US Exclusive) and Air Jordan III x Fragment.
I am Jor-El Asberry or Rel (with 1 “L”). I have a lot of nicknames, but I prefer that one. My daily life consists of being a father and working/creating dope shit with theCRATE.
Being that you are initially from Philadelphia, can you tell us what it was like growing up in your hometown?
Growing up in Philly was like any other city. You had to be street smart, tough, and fly. I always went to private school so I wore uniforms 5 days out of the week. I played basketball almost year round so that took up most of my time after and outside of school. I remember my moms spending a lot of money one time on school uniforms buying Izod (Lacoste now) & Le Tigre only for me to destroy them, like most little boys do clothes. So she went and bought me cheap uniforms. With the money she saved I ended up getting all the fire sneakers that dropped and I had all the fly clothes, because technically I only got dressed up on weekends.
Growing up in an era where there was so much culture whether it was fashion, music, film or art must have been a surreal experience. How was it for you?
I was an 80s baby, 90s kid, and became a man in the 2000s. Growing up in those eras was crazy. I went from the Crack Era to the 106 & Park Era. Fashion has changed immensely over the years. It went from individuality, to labels, to exploring new brands via the net, and lately the copycat/validation era.
I remember when a lot of brands first opened their web stores. I copped a lot of pieces from all over the world manually and easily. NO BOTS!!! I still have a few vintage Supreme pieces and collectible sneakers I copped just by going on the brands site at the drop time.
Asberry’s sneaker box mountain and Patrick Mason in collaboration with Ray-ban Studios Glasses edition of 100. Made in Italy.
Asberry’s collection of Comme Des Garcons in collaboration with Nike sneakers.
Is there a particular interest you enjoyed more than the other or has it always been parallel?
My biggest hobby growing up was basketball. It’s literally all I did. It wasn’t the only sport I played, but it’s the only one I loved. Second to basketball was fashion. I always wanted the sneakers the NBA players wore and the clothes the rappers had. In high school I befriended this Japanese kid named Yasufumi. He always had Japanese fashion mags and that’s how I found out about a lot of Japanese brands and Asia exclusive Nikes. That got me started on copping pieces from outside of the US. Mind you, copping from overseas was damn near impossible without a plug at the time.
Pictured (left to right) wearing NikeLab NRG DH Layering Pants (US Exclusive) and Air Jordan III x Fragment. Rimowa Transparent Suitcase.
How has the transition from Philadelphia and then residing to New York City affected your overall thought process?
Hmmmm… I’d have to go through Portsmouth, VA there too. Living in all three of those places made me what I am today. Different cultures, styles, and environments gave me a super broad thought process. Each place can be found in my style. I’d say that NY & VA shaped my style the most though. Pharrell and the entire Star Trak movement was like one of the coolest things ever, but on the flip side seeing the early stages of streetwear develop, Rocafella, G-Unit, Dipset, etc. in their prime played a part as well.
You are someone who has worked in different types of industries. Can you explain to us about your roles in these industries?
I’ve done a lot of directing & film work. You can check my YouTube or Vimeo. Also, some A&R and assistant work for artists. Styling, creative directing, and consulting for brands as well. I’ve always wanted to be a Creative Director. So, I just try to do as many things as I can that fit that bill. When I’m older I’ll get back to film and take up street photography. I have zero interest in photos in a controlled environment. It’s a certain beauty in the chaos that the moving world is.
Who are some of the biggest names in music or fashion have you gotten to work with?
Simple, Roc-A-Fella & A$AP [Mob].
Wearing Vintage Reversible Denim Bucket Hat, Stussy x A$AP Mob x Boiler Room (Unreleased) T-shirt and jewelry by Trax NYC 1/1.
Wearing Carhartt W.I.P. x Kar / L’Art T-Shirt and jewelry by Trax NYC 1/1. Featuring custom Goodwood x A$AP Mob Bikelife Artwork.
As a collector, what are some of your favorite pieces you currently own?
Rick (Owens). I know that’s a bit cliche at the moment, but I’ve been an avid collector for over a decade.
Wearing Rick Owens SLAB 2003 Double Layered Hoodie, Rick Owens SLAB 2003 Double Layered Tee, DRKSHDW A/W 20 Detroit Cut Heavy Waxed Denim, Rick Owens x Adidas S/S 15 Springblade Low and Raf Simons x Eastpak A/W 18 “Organized” Sling Bag.
Wearing Rick Owens SLAB 2003 Double Layered Hoodie and Raf Simons x Eastpak A/W 18 “Organized” Sling Bag.
Wearing Rick Owens A/W 2005 Moog Extended Balaclava, Rick Owens S/S 18 Dirt Sample Heavy Canvas (unlined) Windbreaker, COS heavyweight standard t-shirt, DRKSHDW F/W 20 Sample Collapse Cut Fuschia Vomit Jeans, Rick Owens S/S 23 Edfu Vintage Sneaks (Vans) and chain by Gus Villa.
Wearing DRKSHDW F/W 20 Sample Collapse Cut Fuschia Vomit Jeans and Rick Owens S/S 23 Edfu Vintage Sneaks (Vans).
I have some pieces from him (Rick Owens) that are almost 20 yrs old. I’m a big fan of CDG (Comme Des Garcons) as well. Real CDG, Not PLAY. That heart logo on clothes and sneakers is just BLAH IMO. I’d have to say my CDG football jersey is my favorite piece from them. It’s a 1 of 1, and I caught on GRAILED for $75. I remember seeing it pictured online and can’t believe I actually sourced. The seller had no clue what they had.
Comme Des Garcons x Dover Street Market Football Jersey (1/1)
Hypothetically, If you could trade every single item you have in your collection for one particular item what do you think that would be?
Good question… it’d definitely be for a watch. The bigger question is what watch?
Asberry’s collection of chains, watches, id holders and bracelets.
How has fatherhood impacted your lifestyle and who you are today?
I mean kids should make any man more of a man and any woman more of a woman. I’m still the same otherwise. I just know that I have to make unselfish choices in life. It’s not about me anymore.
Photo by Shane Miller
New York City has a history of being at the forefront of creative opportunities and a long list of iconic figures from this city. Is there somewhere else you see yourself doing what you are currently doing today?
Nope. NY isn’t everywhere else and everywhere else isn’t NY.
Wearing Rick Owens A/W 2005 Moog Extended Balaclava, Rick Owens S/S 18 Dirt Sample Heavy Canvas (unlined) Windbreaker, COS heavyweight standard t-shirt, DRKSHDW F/W 20 Sample Collapse Cut Fuschia Vomit Jeans, Rick Owens S/S 23 Edfu Vintage Sneaks (Vans), chain by Gus Villa.
Keep up with Jor-El here
Words: Mitchell Louis and Jor-El Asberry
Photo: Mitchell Louis
Direction: Mitchell Louis
Assist: Harvey Miguel
