Ibleed icecream: Reviving the Scene

The Architect of What’s Next

INTERVIEW BY: EMILY ARAUZA

DEC 2ND, 2024

Some people shape culture by following trends; others create it by staying unapologetically true to themselves. Chris, widely recognized as ibleedicecream, belongs to the latter group. A visionary in both fashion and music, he’s the force behind managing artists like Riven and Acidsouljah, co-owning the thriving vintage store Area52, and curating events that elevate Houston’s underground scene.

But Chris’s story isn’t just about business ventures—it’s about an unrelenting drive to represent the underrepresented and bring authenticity back into an industry that often forgets its roots. From selling candy as a child to running one of Montrose’s standout destinations for secondhand fashion, his journey is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose.

I had the chance to sit down with Chris to discuss his entrepreneurial beginnings, his take on emerging trends, and his unwavering commitment to amplifying Houston’s creative landscape. Through his words, one thing becomes clear: he’s not just participating in culture; he’s defining it.

Chris: “What’s up, My name is Chris but most people know me as ibleedicecream through my different areas of work.”

Emily Arauza: “Chris, I’ve been following your journey, and it’s clear you’re someone who’s always building something bigger than yourself. From managing artists like Riven and Acidsouljah to co-owning a vintage store, you’re creating waves in so many spaces. I’d love to know—when you look back at how it all started, what was the spark that set this multifaceted vision in motion?”

C: “I always felt like certain areas of the underground and fashion needed more representation in Houston that’s what really did it for me. I was always one of those people who believed they could do anything they put their mind to and that drive is what I would say got me where I am today.”

EA: “Your drive really shows. When did that drive click for you? How long have you been doing this, and how old are you now?”

C: “I’m 25 now, honestly I've been involved in this world since I was like 10 so I’d say about 15 years now. I’ve sold candy every school year since kindergarten and that in itself made me always want to fall into a field of entrepreneurship.”

EA: “It’s clear you’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit from such a young age. I love how you started with something as simple as selling candy and built from there. What was the turning point for you where you realized this could be your career? It’s always interesting to see how early experiences shape what we do later on.”

C: “I come from a single mother household so to save money we were definitely a thrift store / garage sale / flea market etc type family. I used to sell a lot of the jackets and jerseys I would come across and reinvest that for more pieces. Over time I was starting to notice how society was starting to buy second hand heavier and heavier every year and I wanted to make sure to establish myself early.”

EA: “That’s a great way to build your foundation. It’s cool how you used those early experiences to set yourself apart. Do you feel like that mindset has influenced the way you approach your business now?”

C: “Most definitely, I think it influences everything I do. In fashion and music it’s so important to try to foresee trends and the way people consume media/products.”

EA: “That makes a lot of sense—It’s impressive how you’re able to apply that foresight across multiple areas. Do you think there’s a particular trend or shift you’re seeing right now in fashion or music that people aren’t fully catching onto yet?”

C: “Definitely more of the based movement along with Yeezus era swag. There’s a lot of people early on now but you’ll definitely see a lot of Balmain jeans, Giuseppe, Riccardo Tisci era Givenchy and just over all tighter fighting clothes. Everyone did the baggy thing so hard and just how the baggy wave rolled in the hedi slimane skinny era is going to come in.”

EA: “It makes sense, especially after the baggy trend had such a strong run. I love how fashion always goes through these cyclical phases. Do you think the shift will blend with any new influences, or will it be more of a straight return to what we saw in those past eras? Also, who are some of your biggest style inspirations—whether it’s in fashion or just how they approach their craft?”

C: “Most definitely, that’s the natural progression of it. Japanese designers are still what most trends are getting blended with and I don’t see any change in that anytime soon with any trend that resurfaces. I’d say the people I looked up to the most were early Tyler The Creator, Early Pharrell & Rocky. More so in their approach to fashion than anything but style wise it can be from anywhere and anything, most of the time it comes from how a song, tv show or game makes me feel.”

EA: “That’s a great mix of influences – I  feel like Tyler has impacted an entire generation, so I can see how those early vibes shape your approach. I love how you pull inspiration from so many different places. But I’m curious, where are you really aiming with your style? Is there a specific direction you’re looking to push toward, or are you still figuring out where it takes you?”

C: “I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily aiming for anything specific. I just love fashion and the feeling of obtaining a piece that you’ve been looking for years for. Any heads I turn from there are a plus, which definitely benefits everything I do one way or another.”

EA: “That’s such a genuine passion for fashion, and it’s inspiring to see how it ties into everything you do. Are there any designers or brands you’d love to collaborate with in the future? Or maybe even artists from other fields you’d like to connect with?”

C: “Palace would honestly be one of my dream collabs, I like Stray Rats a lot too they both kill it when collabing with other brands. Undercover would be one of my other answers, Bape and Supreme go without saying. I have a few artists in mind that I’d love to work with on that side of things and a few that I’ve had conversations and ideas shared with on collaborations before but nothing set in stone just yet. That’s definitely something I’ve been looking at pretty heavily that I do want to focus on as I grow my reach.”

EA: “Definitely iconic names—your vision aligns with their creative edge. Are there any specific ideas or concepts you’d like to explore in those collaborations? Or how do you see your style complementing theirs?”

C: “Nothing I would like to discuss just yet but it’s definitely something that’s always in the back of my mind. A collaboration of that caliber would definitely be a dream come true for me.”

EA: “I see, and we are so excited. Looking back, is there a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of? Something that felt like a milestone in your journey so far?”

C: “Area52 finally having its location be in Montrose for sure since that’s been in the check off list since 2015. Aside that honestly Splur Fest (concert I hosted) and Duwap Kaine's show, Splur Fest because it in my opinion is still the most important underground show Houston has ever had till date and Duwap because it was just first show since his rolling loud set in 2019 so I brought him back from a 3 year show hiatus. Big shouts out to Duwap, one of the most genuine people I’ve ever worked with.”

EA: “Those are huge accomplishments, especially Splur Fest and bringing Duwap back, I haven’t heard his name in sometime. With people trying to push the Houston scene forward through events like Deep Down South and Save The Date, or spots popping up around the city, how do you feel those efforts compare? What do you think sets Splur Fest and your contributions apart in truly shaping the underground scene?”

C: “Shout out to everyone doing their thing, the more events and things the city has to do the more it gets brought closer together. I think what I do just highlights a different side of the underground. I’ve been a fan of this culture for some time. I definitely try to keep myself in the shoes of a consumer and bring who I have always wanted to see, for example with Duwap, I really didn’t care how the show performed. Duwap’s been someone I’ve wanted to see live forever and I knew enough people felt the same way as me that the show would naturally just be successful.”

EA: “That’s a solid perspective, keeping the focus on what you’d personally want to experience as a fan. It definitely shows the authenticity of what you’re curating. Do you think that mindset—putting yourself in the consumer’s shoes—is the key to making events stand out, or are there other elements you prioritize to ensure your shows leave a lasting impact?”

C: “I definitely feel like it’s one of the most important aspects of it. That goes for Area52, my artist, my shows etc. Companies spend 1000s of dollars to understand what it is that their customers want so to be blessed with my target audience being like minded individuals I try to take full advantage of that.“

EA: “That makes a lot of sense—keeping it personal while naturally aligning with your audience. How do you stay in tune with what your audience wants, especially as the culture and trends evolve? Do you feel like there’s ever pressure to adapt, or do you stick to what feels authentic to you?”

C: “I'm a fan of it all before anything else so I'm always going to naturally keep up with what's going on in fashion/music. I like to see it all but I definitely stick with what speaks to me the most.”

EA: “Since you’re so in tune with the culture, do you feel there’s a specific message or vibe you’re trying to amplify through your work in fashion and music, or is it more about creating and curating what feels natural in the moment?”

C: “Just bringing real meaning back to music and fashion. There’s way too many people in the industry doing it more so for the money than the love of the game and it’s really watered things down.”

EA: “I agree, too much faux. Thank you for sharing your journey and vision—it’s been inspiring. To wrap it up, what’s one key piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to make their mark in music or fashion while staying genuine?”

C: “Just be you, don’t conform yourself to get accepted. No matter what it is you’re trying to do if you put enough hours in you’ll start seeing progress. This isn’t for everyone and that’s okay but if you truly feel it in your heart that this is your calling be prepared to put your craft above everything else. Never stop learning, be open to new ideas but trust your heart. Find someone that’s ready to put in as much work as you and go from there. You said one but I hope this reaches someone who needed to hear all this.”