Mike 23

The number 23 goes back to a nostalgic era many know very well who the man was who gave the number so much respect. The Jordan era was a phenomenal age and can never be forgotten. But as time moves on the number begins to spread its roots. A seed planted by hard work and determination has fount itself in the soil of Scott Nelson mind. Scott Nelson created the Mike 23 brand to give the past a new stage in today’s world. Well know in the street wear industry Mike 23 is one of those brands that conveys to the people a blend of past, present, and future. Skating and basketball new and old these connections run deep and that’s why you can respect such a brand that blends so many ideas and keeps the designs jumping, a Jordan inspired label with the Jordan philosophy in mind. Scott Nelson a renaissances man gives the new generation a view of the past in a way few can do, we sat down with Scott to discuss his past and future ambitions and what the brand gives to the people.

First of let me say it’s a honor to be able have a opportunity to have a interview with you Scott love the work that you do and hope to see more heat from Mike 23


Well we know that you can’t run a company by yourself so name some of the main people the help you everyday.
Well, I have been running things for quite some time solo….just recently I hired who I felt would be main players for the team…both guys are named Michael and they both have worked for a major street wear brand here in NYC…

So explain to the kids who don’t know what your brand is and what it gives with its products.
MIKE is a tribute and homage brand to who I feel is the greatest person to ever lace up a pair of sneakers and play the game of basketball….that person is Michael Jordan….with product, I’m always searching for that new thing piece that will have people have to get…

Since your beginning in street wear how far have you progressed as a self taught designer and businessman?
You have to go back to 1986….I was making stickers and selling them at high school to other skateboarders…I was taking images out of CLUB HOMEBOY magazine, THRASHER and TRANSWORLD and making stickers…I was also screen printing t-shirts…now, 20 years later, I’m dealing with 80 plus accounts worldwide for MIKE and the brand is expanding on the daily…

A lot of people will say now a days that street wear is dead how do you feel about this statement?
Street wear is not dead but, many cornball people that have popped up in the last few years are killing it and giving it a bad name and false image…these kids are doing tradeshows and writing orders but just because you do a tradeshow does not make you a street wear brand…take a look around and tell me how many people have been doing this for 20 years…for me, this is my life…it is what I have always done and what I have always lived….I witnessed the explosion of street wear in the mid 90’s, when a bunch of cornball brands caked off….now any kid out any art a school with a handful of t-shirts and hats can claim that they are a street wear brand because they show up at some monster tradeshow and are placed in what they calla street wear section….

The Jordan era holds a special place in your heart do you feel like there will ever be another person as influential as Michael Jordan in basketball?
Tough one…who can live up to what MJ paved? I would not want that on my shoulders…That era was so special…back then I do not think anyone would have guessed the impact it would have had in today’s society….take a look around all of the hottest selling kicks are all from the 80’s and early 90’s….


Your brand is a great example of the human ability to bring ideas together how did you manage to throw so many ideas into your label and still come out with something hot?
I believe you have to.” love what you do and do what you love”….SERIOUSLY!!!! I have been designing graphics and clothing for 20 years…you have it or you do not…your either following others or blazing you own path…I choose to blaze my own path…

How has skating affected the direction of your life and your brand?
Skateboarding is my first love…it is an art form…take a look at what people do on a skateboard, its amazing…I still ride on the regular….and I have many friends that ride both professionally and for fun…everybody is into fresh gear and I hook up several people that happen to love what I do…so, it works….

Out of the new spring collection, name a couple of items that really stand out in the this year?
Accessories are what I focused on…bringing the consumer different pieces that they may not have seen…umbrellas, beanbags, sneaker wallets, aluminum wallets…and t-shirts…they are the best way to get your expressions for what you do out there…

Can we expect any collaboration this season?
I have a few things lined up…not able to drop names yet but, I can tell you they are household names in the street wear industry…

Is there anymore furniture productions slated for Mike 23 this year?
Furniture is something I’m very interested in…so yeah…things will be in the works…

We see you like to diversify your products what makes you continue to set your company apart from others?
I like to be a visionary… nothing better than leading and then having others follow…I push myself to come up with fresh new ideas and pieces…

As you were coming up in the game you met many people who the most influential person that you have met?
Many people…meeting Shawn Stussy in Orlando with my man Don Busweiler(PERVERT clothing) was big…I was young…I was and always will be a STUSSY fan…just meeting people in the early years was big…Rick Klotz from FRESH JIVE…Alyasha Owerkamoore-FIBER OPS….CLAW…J-MONEY. SSUR, and Dagan Ryan aka BODAGAN…

What are some stores in the NYC area that carry Mike 23?
UNION. The Reed Space, Frank’s Chop Shop, All Da Right Inc.

Name one of your favorite moments in Jordan history and how it changed your life?
The game wining shot over Byron Russell….I was living in MIAMI and wearing JORDAN 12’s…no body in street wear was rocking JORDANS, other than ball players…


So what advice would you give to an upcoming designer that might want to start his or her own label?
Do what you love and love what you do…be genuine and let others see that your have a passion for what you do…..


Mike 23 a brand that blends the diverse human landscape into one beautiful idea, taken from a man and his desire to achieve and beat himself Jordan. The same goes for Scott Nelson a man inspired by a legend we can all learn from the past and that is what makes life beautiful and us fortunate we have the ability to look at something that once was and use its ideals in a new form and bring it to the forefront of society.


Connecting the past and bringing it to life we all create be sure to get out and pick up some Mike 23 and experience the brand for your self. The past legends gave us the example to follow they left a burning path from all of there endeavors and people akin to Jordan inspire people like Scott Nelson and as time moves on its now your turn to take the world and make it yours and Scott Nelson has done it in the best way and created Mike 23 so enough talk go out and pick up the fresh new Spring collection at UNION, The Reed Space, Frank’s Chop Shop, All Da Right Inc. which are all in the New York area you can find more information on Mike23.com

By Andre C