Homies Unveiled: The Goba Noel Interview

Resistance isn't always loud; sometimes, it's subtle, woven into the very fibers of our existence. And for Goba, resistance finds its voice through the garments of HFP—garments that speak of authenticity, of raw emotion, of stories untold.

In a world where trends come and go, HFP stands as a testament to enduring resistance—a resistance that transcends the boundaries of time and space. It's a reminder that clothing isn't just about covering our bodies; it's about adorning our souls with the essence of who we are, with the stories we carry within us.

This isn't just an interview; it's a journey—a journey into the heart and soul of Parisian fashion, where every garment tells a story of defiance, of courage, and of unwavering resistance against the forces that seek to confine us.

Q1. Homies from Paris is a unique venture. Can you share the driving force and inspiration behind creating the brand, and how has your personal journey influenced its inception? Also how does working with another person influence the brand ideologies and creative direction? Has there been any distinction between your role & Jules' ?

HFP is love. Its main purpose is to bring people together. So I constantly work to improve two things : designs & quality.

Design :

I design for the people. You’re HIM/HER/THEY, and that’s how I want you to feel every day.

Quality :

I want people to be comfortable. We are what we eat, but I also believe that we are what we wear. Not every material is good enough to touch your skin. Reason why we only use 100% cotton fabrics for our hoodies and sweatpants for example.

Also energy matters. If you’re feeling yourself and you’re feeling comfortable, your levels of dopamine will be higher. Your heart and body will vibrates to higher frequencies. Your energy is contagious, your positive vibes will attract others and that’s how, as humans we connect with people and create stories.

As a business owner, a creative person, a purpose minded individual, you see things that others don’t. Things that will get you laughed out… if you tell people that you’re about to make a living off your passion, work with some of the biggest athletes and celebs in the world soon, hire people and build a company in your 20’s, how many will believe? I do all that, and I always knew I would.

The greatest thing Jules has done for me is to believe in me. I’ve been on a mission my whole life. It’s a lonely journey. Having people who believe in you & in the script before it comes true, is priceless.

Q2. Goba, does your personal style have any bearing on the brand? Can you delve into the influences that have shaped your individual fashion journey and how they manifest in the design language of the brand?

In high school, everyone follows the trends. If you get something new, it will only take a week to 10 days before the whole school gets it. That’s when I started designing. I felt the urge to be me again, and it didn’t feel right to wear the same thing as everyone else. I design things that I would like to wear and that I can’t find anywhere else. Eventually people started to ask me where my pieces were coming from, and that’s how HFP was born.

Q3. The collections at HFP, such as "Still Social Distancing," often carry meaningful messages. What influences or experiences inspire these themes, and how do you aim to resonate with your audience through the messages embedded in your drops?

I was a few miles away when Kobe died. I feel like things happen for a reason. I feel connected to his mentality and values.

I used to spend my summers in the garage working on the brand and what I wanted it to become while my friends were partying, playing video games, going out to see girls etc. I’ve been socially distancing myself for years. Not because I don’t like people, but because I had a vision that no one really understood at the time. No one understood why a 20 year old would sacrifice fun for something so uncertain. When COVID started we were forced to keep our social distance. A lot of people started working on personal projects and to find a greater purpose. Covid didn’t feel weird or any different to me. I’m used to this lifestyle. And now that COVID is over, you won’t see me party much more. Why? “Job’s not finished. Job’s finished? I don’t think so; Kobe. That’s the mentality.

Q4. The Barcelona and Paris pop-up stores must have been exciting ventures. How have the unique cultures of these cities inspired the concept behind the stores, and did this cultural infusion impact the designs or themes of any specific collections?

Paris is ahead of the rest of Europe when it comes to fashion. You see things here before it becomes popular elsewhere. It’s like being a lap ahead on trends. That’s very useful if you want to bring something to the table by designing things that will last, and not just capitalise on what’s already out there. The aim is to share our interpretation of fashion with the world, Barcelona included.

Q5. Looking at HFP's collections like "No Fake Love," can you share the creative process and influences behind choosing impactful themes, and how these themes contribute to the overall narrative of the brand?

The sentence speaks for itself : No Fake Love. Fake love is draining and dangerous. Each message you put out for the world to see has an impact. HFP is about friendship and love, fake love being the opposite. The message has the purpose to manifest fake love out of your life.

Q6. As a designer, are there specific artists or creatives whose work you admire, and can you envision collaborations with any of them for future Homies from Paris collections? Also, like the Lanzarote collection with Fystina what was the creative process like?

I admire those who believe. Those with purpose. The ones who get past the feeling of fear and who try things. Love to all the business owners no matter the size of the business. Love to every artist and creative person pushing their ideas out instead of letting those die in their mind. I don’t have any name to mention at the moment but I’m always happy to connect with creatives. And if something is meant to happen, it will.

Fystina is a talented individual with a very specific vision about fashion. I love that and I’ve always wanted to support others. I also love that she’s a woman in the industry and that she’s not scared to challenge the status quo, to be herself. Part of my purpose is to support people. With Lanzarote we aimed to bring something different to the table and that we never did before with HFP. We have more to offer than hoodies and tee shirts.

Q7. Heart Capsule was a standout debut collection. Can you share how you approached the design process for this drop, and what elements were crucial in conveying its romantic and distinctive essence?

Funny thing is that I got inspired by Central Cee and how he creates his music. What’s the common point between “Obsessed with you”, “Commitment issues”, “Doja”, etc?

The recipe/ essence is kind of the same ; it all starts by picking a very distinctive beat. Then create a hook that stays in people’s mind.

So I started doing rehearsals asking myself what I could design something that would be distinctive and stay in people’s mind. I came up with the HEARTS. Then Worked on their shapes, volume, colours and placement.

I love to analyse music marketing. Nothing inspires me more than music in general. That said, my favourite Central Cee song is Chapters. Listen to it!

Q8. In the landscape of streetwear, where do you see the future trajectory of Homies from Paris, and how will the brand continue to innovate and push boundaries in upcoming collections? (Would love a little hint towards what you're working on next !)

The blueprint is the last question. Let’s cook beats and hooks. Distinctive things that stay in people’s minds.

What’s next ? God knows! I’m not gonna lie like I got it all figured out yet, but I trust the process.

Q9. HFP's sustainability efforts are commendable. Could you elaborate on how the brand integrates sustainability into its practices, and are there any upcoming initiatives or changes in this realm that we can expect?

It’s really a mentality. To each their own.

We’re here to last, we see long term.

I want the clothes I design to embrace and support your journey. No fake love start with caring for others. It starts with acknowledging the importance of the fabrics we use, the way it’s produced. As I said, we are what we eat and we are what we wear. I like to eat healthy, I don’t like fast food. It’s poison to the mass. I like to wear nice things but I don't like fast fashion. The overconsumption and waste is literally poison to our world.

“It’s not that deep”, yes it is. We produce things to last, not to be thrown away. It comes with a certain type of respect for ourselves, the workers, the farmers, everyone involved in the process of making a garment, but also customers.

Q10. With each drop, HFP seems to balance style with meaningful messages. How do you navigate this delicate balance when creating collections, and what considerations go into ensuring that both style and substance are effectively communicated to your audience?

Love that question Ujjesha. Funnily, I’m not sure how to answer it though! I don’t do anything to ensure that style will be effectively communicated to our audience. Nothing ensures that people will understand the messages or the vision either.

If you and people in general perceive a balance between style and meaningful messages, I guess that means that I’m doing the right thing.