By Blake Holmes
A celebration of the LA dream, Conison is an up-and-coming, high-end streetwear brand from Melbourne, Australia.
Recently, we caught up with Founder and Creative Director, Connor Morton, to chat vision, inspiration and what’s in store for the year ahead.
TELL US ABOUT CONISON..
Conison is a high-end streetwear and design brand.
At the heart of Conison is a message of inspiration. I want to encourage people to express themselves, providing an avenue for them to explore their own sense of style and creative potential through fashion and design.
WHAT’S YOUR WHY?
I’ve always endeavoured to express my creativity through outlets available to me, from DJing and music, to clothing customisation and art. I think everyone deserves this opportunity and my dream is that Conison will provide that for others; an inspiration source that spreads positivity and reinforces the idea that everyone has the power to shape their reality.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOUR UPCOMING COLLECTION?
Collection 2 Rise & Fall is a two-part capsule. This collection celebrates an ascension to your highest self and the fall of negative energy. These ideas are expressed in my messaging and I’ve catered to both the NZ/Aus and US/Euro markets, with different materials and designs.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
There are countless brands and creators that fuel my fire. Designers like Reese Cooper and Heron Preston, brands like Riot Hill and photographers like Kyle Caulfield to name just a few.
HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED?
I believe motivation is something you have to seek constantly. This can be challenging at times and the interruptions of this year have been a prime example.
Regularly contacting my mentors, listening to podcasts, and painting have kept me in the zone this year. There’s always motivation to be found if you look hard enough.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Every day is different but I start and end them in the same way. I usually wake up with a warm/cold soak to get focused, then have breakfast while watching motivational content on YouTube. From then I work ‘til i’ve felt i’ve done enough, which means late nights a lot of the time. I also work other jobs and fit in time at the gym or some form of exercise each day. I end the day with business content on YouTube to get inspired for the day ahead.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL STRAIN WHEN RUNNING YOUR OWN BRAND?
Being a one-man band with no backing at 22 has been a struggle. There are definitely financial challenges and they’ve taken a lot of practice, help from mentors and learning to overcome. In saying that, I’m feeling confident in the belief that now is the time to be bold, take risks and bet on myself. When you believe in your brand and the message you’re trying to share, anything is possible.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
My mentor sent me a message a few weeks back. I think it’s spot on and something I struggle with at times. “Your art is not about how many people like your work, your art is about if your heart likes your work, if your soul likes your work, it’s how honest you are with yourself”. I try to follow this ethos daily and remind myself of this at times I’m questioning my vision and creative direction. I’ve implemented this into my work daily and it’s become more authentic as a result.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR CONISON?
The sky’s the limit. I want to push creative boundaries, not just with Conison but in the global fashion and lifestyle brand space. This means everything from painting collections and exclusive pieces to furniture.
Most importantly, I want to continue telling the Conison story in an authentic way. Giving people a story to truly connect with is what drives me and the best way to keep people engaged and on-board for the journey.
I’m learning and growing every day and Conison will continue to evolve with me. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
LEAVE US WITH A FAVOURITE QUOTE..
I’ve got a few. ‘Ignore the boos, they usually come from the cheap seats’. This one has been really important to me. As a young person, you often face a lot of negativity and doubt from others about your ability to step outside the norm and succeed. I’ve learnt not to take this to heart and stay true to myself, which is something I think we should all strive to do.
Another favourite is, ‘an arrow can only be shot forward by pulling it backward’. This one’s all about resilience to me, and the idea that on the other side of struggle and hardship is success, fortune and prosperity. I try to remember this with every minor setback and keep a positive mindset no matter the circumstances. When you do, nothing can discourage you from achieving your dreams. This is what Conison is all about.
Rise & Fall Part 1 drops 7th December, 7:00pm EST
at www.conisondesigns.com
