PATTA: For the People

Patta is an internationally renowned streetwear brand that encourages crossovers between cultures and keeps community at the heart of all that they do.

Founded in 2004 by Edson Sabajo and Guillaume ("Gee") Schmidt, Patta encourages inspiring collaborations, between brands and their collaborative teams.

The brand name, Patta, is a nod to both Sabajo's and Schmidt's Surinamese nationality. 'Patta' is the slang term for "shoe", describing flip flops and similar footwear that is often worn by the locals in Suriname. Although it's authentic to the country, the term has also become more used in Amsterdam, a perfect illustration of the mix of culture that this brand is founded upon.

Patta was born after Sabajo, a former MC and event host and Schmidt, a former DJ, joined forces and noticed a gap in the Amsterdam market - sneakers were being sold internationally but weren't available in stores in Amsterdam at the time like they were in other major cities. To get a hold of these shoes, scouting the internet thoroughly or travelling to villages in Amsterdam was the only way for locals to have their hands on fresh new releases.

What began as an innocent attempt to help the community around them and fill a growing gap in the fashion market turned into an international success and streetwear line that has done nothing less than make a platform for themselves.

Patta's authentic heart behind their success only makes their achievements greater.

Sabajo and Schmidt began by buying the sneakers that were in high demand from overseas while travelling, and selling them to people they knew, ranging from photographers and musicians to

other dynamic creatives.

Everytime they returned to Amsterdam from their travels, the pair sold more and more and naturally, a business pursuit revealed itself as the next natural step.

Demand grew upon the business launch of Patta, and didn't stop in Amsterdam.

As well as becoming internationally renowned, Patta has had many successful campaign collaborations. Not only have they worked with Converse multiple times, but Patta have also found themselves in collaboration with Deviation, Reebook, Asics, KangaROOS, and the infamous Nike, to name very few of brands that have lined up to have Pattas signature on their products.

In less than two decades, Patta has most definitely established it's presence in the fashion world, its twist of influences from Amsterdam and Suriname making for a unique take on fashion curation. Co- founder Schmidt agrees with the fact that Patta has become a cornerstone for black owned streetwear businesses in the Netherlands.

When asked about where their inspiration generates from, co-founder Sabajo says that a 'curious mind' always goes a long way. That's how it all started - a couple curious minds with a desire to change something in the market.

Pattas work always has their audience waiting for their next move, and whatever that may be, is nothing less than highly anticipated by its worldwide audience. Patta has showed the world that nothing is out of reach for them. Their insistence on staying grounded has only launched them to higher heights, and at the heart of all of their endeavours, lies their solid motto: "Out of love and necessity rather than profit and novelty."

Making money should be the afterthought, says Sabajo.

Their core aims to help the community and concrete purpose that lies behind each collaboration and crossover still rings true - before it is an influential streetwear brand, Patta is for the people.