Chris Doyle: Designing Beyond Limits

EDTR MADE: More Than a Brand, It’s a Movement

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

FEB 12th,  2025

“I don’t want to just sell clothes—I want to create an experience.”

EDTR MADE is more than a brand; it’s a living, breathing vision. For Chris, the architect behind it, fashion isn’t just about fabric—it’s about storytelling, culture, and the energy that connects people to a moment. What started as a simple editing tag evolved into a movement, blending design, music, and community into something bigger than any single medium. From the streets of New Orleans to the creative pulse of Houston, he’s building something real—an ecosystem where pop-ups become immersive experiences and EDTR HAUL is more than just a drop, it’s a moment in time.

Chris Doyle: “My name is Chris and I own the clothing brand EDTR MADE. I started by making videos then transitioned into making clothes. Recently I’ve been getting into DJing as well.”

Emily Arauza: “That’s solid, Chris. What does EDTR MADE stand for? Since you started with videos, do you still incorporate that into your brand, like promo visuals or storytelling for your drops? And how’s DJing going—are you looking to connect it with EDTR MADE, maybe through events or curated mixes?”

CD: “EDTR MADE comes from what my name was when I was editing for people, EDTR. The name basically means it’s all made by me. I heavily use videos in my brand as it convey feeling and emotion (through storytelling or shots) way more than other media. I started DJing because I wanted to be the one DJing at my own events, more than video, music connects people.  Without music, any event, grocery store, cookout, family function, feels awkward. I want to be the one playing the music I think fits the vibe the best, and I’ve learned to depend on nobody more than yourself on what you want for your vision. As for connecting it with my clothes, the music you play carries emotion, so at any event, that emotion will be connected to your clothes & brand.”

EA: “I love how you’re building something where every element, from visuals to sound to clothing, ties back to a feeling. What kind of music are you leaning towards when you DJ? More high-energy, underground, or mood-setting vibes?”

CD: “Mood setting for sure. I love to DJ older hip hop, r&b, and bounce as I grew up in NOLA, a city I’m heavily inspired by in my clothes too”

EA: “That makes a lot of sense—NOLA’s culture is deep, and you can really feel its influence in both music and fashion. Bounce, old-school hip-hop, and R&B have that timeless energy that sets the right mood without forcing it. Are you weaving any specific New Orleans elements into your clothing designs, like color palettes, references, or textures that reflect the city’s vibe? And when you DJ, are you mixing in any local artists or personal edits to make it even more your own?”

CD: “Yes definitely. This new logo I’m working with uses a Fleur de Lis, kind of a staple of New Orleans. I also recently took inspiration from the logo of a beignet store in New Orleans, one of the many new pieces I’ll be selling at an event hosted by me in a few months. The city itself is very art focused and influential, every time I visit and come back I always find myself inspired. I use lots of bounce when I DJ that I heard as a kid from my parents, definitely lots of local artists in there.”

EA: “The Fleur de Lis is a perfect nod to New Orleans, and pulling inspiration from a beignet shop logo is a cool way to incorporate the city’s essence in a way that feels personal. Hosting your own event is a major move too—it’s full-circle, blending your clothing, DJing, and the culture that inspires you. What’s the vibe you’re going for with the event? More of a laid-back creative gathering or something high-energy? And are you curating everything yourself, from the music to the setup?”

CD: “The event is called EDTR HAUL, basically a pop-up inside of a U-Haul truck, with multiple DJs lined up for it. Everything has been curated by me so far, my friend and business partner Zachary Joplin and I came up with the idea in late 2023, and first executed it in March of 2024 in Conroe, just north of Houston. This event is meant to be a unique way to put out my clothes I’ve been working on.  It will have a shop set up inside the U-Haul, and next to it a DJ booth, the best way I can describe the feeling of it would be a block party. The community comes together to talk, see the clothes, and most importantly remember this event, and hopefully be inspired. It’s something that just has to be seen to understand fully. I want the best of both worlds at this event, people having a good time, and people talking to each other and really giving each other their attention, something that’s hard to do at an event with loud music. It all comes down to creating the right environment, everything matters.”

EA: “That’s a genius concept. EDTR HAUL is more than just a pop-up—it’s an experience. The U-Haul setup gives it that raw, mobile energy, like you’re bringing the culture straight to the people, and pairing it with DJs turns it into a full event rather than just a transaction. The block party vibe makes it communal, which is rare in fashion events where things can sometimes feel exclusive or impersonal. You’re right, creating the right environment is everything. The fact that you’re thinking beyond just selling clothes and focusing on conversation, connection, and inspiration shows how much depth EDTR MADE has. What’s been the biggest challenge in pulling it all together? And what are you doing differently this time compared to the first event in Conroe?”

CD: “You have it down exactly, I especially agree with the part where fashion events are usually impersonal. The biggest challenge in pulling it all together has been the amount of work I’ve been having to put in. The last few months I have been working, not skipping a single day, to make and buy all these clothes for the event. Since this is going to be in person, everything has to be prepared beforehand, no pre orders, you go and you buy it that day. Designing is the fun part, making the clothes is sometimes trial and error. Half the clothes at the event are screen printed by me, the other half I have to outsource. This time I’m focusing more on the event aspect, I don’t want people to be bored. I want there to be things to do, whether it’s listening to music, throwing a football, browsing the store inside the U-Haul, I want people to stay, and feel like they’re occupied the whole time.  I want people to remember it and set the bar of what an event should be. This whole process has made me realize the more work you put into something, the further you’ll move towards your goals.  There is no short cut with stuff like this.”

EA: “You’ve got the right mindset. People don’t just want to shop—they want an experience. Making EDTR HAUL more interactive ensures it’s something they’ll remember. The no-preorder approach adds urgency, and the fact that you’re screen printing some pieces yourself shows real dedication. There’s no shortcut—your work now is what sets EDTR HAUL apart. With the focus on making it more of an event, do you see this expanding into other cities, or are you refining it in Houston first before thinking bigger?”

CD: “Yes, I’d love to make it mobile eventually, with stops in a few cities. I want to host an event in New Orleans one day as I feel it’d do great, as well as other cities in Texas like Dallas or Austin. For right now I’ll do my first couple events in the city I’m in, but with an event inside of a truck, I can easily see it becoming something that moves from city to city.”

EA: “That’s a solid plan. Starting local lets you perfect the experience, but the U-Haul setup makes it easy to take on the road when the time’s right. A New Orleans stop would be huge, especially with how much the city influences your brand. Dallas and Austin also have strong creative scenes that would vibe with what you’re building. Once you’re ready to expand, would you keep the same format or add new elements depending on the city?”

CD: “Definitely add new elements, in the clothes and event set up. Since I’m doing this all by myself right now, I have full creative control, giving certain nods to the city the event is hosted in would be a great way to attract the right audience. My goal in general is to be able to sell or at least for people to like anything creative that I put out. For people to trust your vision and ideas, credibility goes a long way. I’d want nothing more than for people to want my most creative ideas, but right now I’m in the process of building my portfolio in Houston. Not only does it show you’ve put in the work, it adds meaning to your brand. It shows you’ve worked for what you created, it wasn’t given to you. People like a come up story, one will be made for everyone if they’ve truly worked for their success.”

EA: “You’re building something real, and the work speaks for itself. Tailoring each event to its city and grinding every day is setting the foundation for your come-up. But beyond the brand—what’s driving you? What’s the deeper reason behind all of this?”

CD: “Ever since I was young I’ve always been trying something, whether it’s a YouTube channel, selling candy at school, starting small little businesses here and there. I’ve always had the desire to make something, and to me this brand doesn’t feel like work, it just feels like something I’m passionate about. In simpler words it’s just an extension of myself. What’s driving me is the big ideas I have in my head and the desperate need to get them all done. I have huge goals beyond the stuff I’m doing right now, and want nothing more than to be influential and change any field that I’m in. I used to have business ideas that came and went, and for EDTR MADE to have stuck around for as long as it has, it became clear to me a while ago that I will make it as big as I can, making it an outlet for anything I make creatively, which is what I’ve always wanted.”

EA: “That’s real. You’ve always been a builder, always chasing ideas, but EDTR MADE is the one that stuck—because it’s you. It’s not just a brand, it’s an outlet for everything you create. That urgency to bring your ideas to life, to be influential, to change the game—that’s what sets you apart. You’re not just making clothes or throwing events; you’re shaping something bigger. What’s the ultimate vision? Where do you see EDTR MADE years from now?”

CD: “It’s honestly hard to say, but the ultimate vision with EDTR MADE, more so the EDTR branding in general is to create a singular meaning or behind it, and have the name and logo truly represent something, which I would say a creative or artist working in any field. Since I’m living it right now, it’s the most genuine and authentic it will get. Wearing EDTR MADE, or the Fleur de Lis is a symbol of your hard work and dedication into creating something that’s truly yours, and over the next few years I aim at making that universally known through various mediums.  Besides meaning, I want to keep developing my set of skills and create new clothes and events that haven’t been done before. Bringing a bigger Mardi Gras celebration to Houston would be really cool, and I’d love to throw some type of parade one day.”

EA: “That vision is strong—EDTR isn’t just a brand, it’s a statement. You’re living it now, proving that hard work and creativity can build something real, and over time, that meaning will only grow. Making the Fleur de Lis a symbol of dedication and artistry is powerful, and expanding into events like a Mardi Gras celebration or even a full parade would take it to another level. But let’s bring it back to you. You’ve been on this path since you were young, always creating, always pushing. Who or what has inspired you the most? And at your age, grinding as hard as you are, how do you stay motivated when things get tough?”

CD: “Extremely controversial right now, but when I was first starting out Kanye West really inspired me, and still does to this day. The College Dropout is my favorite album of all time, and I feel like the reason I have such a strong liking for it is the story behind the album.  Nobody wanted to sign him, his lyrics were too introspective at the time in comparison to other popular music, and he had to hustle and grind for his music to be heard. Knowing what he went through and how little he had when making that album really gives it a deeper meaning to any creative struggling to get their work heard or seen. I also really admire his artistry on a personal level.  When working through hard times, I always have to remember what I’m working towards and what I want to be one day. In all honesty there’s never been a time through my journey where I’ve doubted myself or not been motivated to continue with my brand.  A lot of times if I’m going through a hard time working on clothes or something for my brand helps me out.”

EA: “That makes total sense. Regardless of controversy, Kanye’s come-up story is undeniable—he bet on himself when no one else would, and that resilience is something any creative can respect. The College Dropout wasn’t just an album; it was proof that passion and persistence can break through. That same mindset fuels you. You’ve never doubted yourself, never lost motivation, because this isn’t just a brand—it’s who you are. Even when things get tough, working on EDTR MADE isn’t a chore; it’s an escape, a way to push forward. Do you ever think about what your College Dropout moment will be? That point where everything shifts, and people really start to understand what you’re building?”

CD: “Perfectly said, I think after EDTR HAUL it will catch on more. People will see what my brand is really about, but at a local level. The more I do these events, the more people from around the U.S. and even the world will notice. Great events paired with a message and thoughtfully designed clothes is the key in my opinion to excel in my field. Social media also plays a big part, controlling how you’re perceived is a good skill to have. With the right marketing, events, and clothes, over time success will come.”

EA: “You’re already thinking long-term, and that’s what will set EDTR MADE apart. EDTR HAUL is the spark, but scaling it—both physically with events in new cities and digitally through social media—is what will turn it into a movement. So what’s next? After this event, how do you plan to keep the momentum going? More pop-ups? Expanding the clothing line? Building out the brand’s online presence?”

CD: “After this event I plan on putting out more clothes. Be expecting another event at the end of 2025, but over the summer I want to focus on my craft with designing and making clothes. With that I also want to expand my social media presence, making more videos or even short films. After EDTR HAUL, the clothes sold will release online, and hopefully with traction gained from the event they do well.”

EA: “That sounds like a solid plan—letting EDTR HAUL build momentum while you take time to refine your designs and content. The mix of events, online drops, and high-quality visuals will keep people engaged even between major releases. Short films could be a game-changer too, especially if they capture the story and emotion behind your brand. Are you thinking of tying the videos directly to the clothing drops, like campaign-style visuals, or more standalone creative projects?”

CD: “Kinda both because campaign-style videos tie into the clothes I sell. I like making both styles though, mostly standalone creative projects, but the campaign-style visuals have to be more thought out. I like making things perfect before I put them out so I’m always second-guessing things when it comes to campaign videos.”

EA: “With everything you’ve learned so far—building EDTR MADE, curating events, and staying true to your vision—what advice would you give to someone trying to carve their own path in fashion, music, or any creative field?”

CD: “For any creative field, the best advice I could give is not to force anything.  If you aren’t passionate enough about something, there’s no way you’ll be able to push yourself enough to make it work.  I’ve also learned to work with what you’ve got. If you don’t have much, working and creating something out of very little often gives us the best ideas. It makes us think harder about what we’re making, whether that be a video, photoshoot, or piece of clothing. It’s almost like conditioning yourself. When making things out of nothing, one day when you have a lot at your disposal, creating something bigger will come easier. You’ve worked your way up to that point.”