Not Your Average Hypebeast
With a quick scroll down Angelo Nitsopoulos’ Instagram, one can instantly get a sense of his expensive taste. But there has to be more to him right? Other than the quick cameos on his clique’s hilarious insta stories and vlogs, not much is revealed about the sporty Toronto, Ontario native. Well, that’s why I’m here.
Let’s take a look inside the real world of Angelo and find out about his immense love for hockey, fledgling business, spending habits and why he looks so damn pissed all the time. Peep my exclusive interview with him below:
FRENDY: I must say it’s quite incredible to witness how close you are with Kai and Levi. Nowadays, not many can proclaim they are tight with even a handful of people. How did you meet them?
ANG: So, I met the guys during the winter of 2014. At the time, Levi and an old acquaintance had a men's hockey team called The Trillers and a buddy of mine told me I should go play with them. So I hit up Levi and said if you ever need players let me know. A week later I was playing my first game with them. I walked into the dressing room, turned to my left and saw the “5’3” kid who said to me, “ Here sit here Angelo”. As if I had never been in a hockey dressing room in my life. Levi was sitting across from me, looking like a pro MMA fighter flooded with tats (I was a bit intimidated).
My first game with them was amazing! I scored three goals. So throughout our hockey team that's how myself and Levi hung out. Kai never played hockey at all so he was never around the rink unless he was pretending to coach us. I would always hear stories about him though. I met Kai on our first trip to NYC and boy what a story/trip that was. That's when my passion for fashion really began and I instantly switched my look. Happy I met them though, I never had any siblings so they taught me a lot about things. When I was 18-19 they took me on some crazy experiences that most kids don't get to do, so they are kind of like older brothers in a way for the most part.
FRENDY: That’s a pretty epic story. I assumed you knew them for way longer than 3 years. What was your “look” before your fashion awakening?
ANG: Yeah, I mean friendship grows pretty quick when you hang out as often as we do. OMG, my look I don't even want to talk about *Laughs*. To be honest I didn't even have a look. I guess I could say it was the “hockey style.” Long hair, sperry boat shoes, golf shorts and a V-neck t-shirt, which makes me cringe thinking about it. I didn't even really take fashion seriously; I would wear sweatpants every day, whatever shirt I found in my room and just went about my day. I was too focused on my hockey career at the time and didn't care how I dressed outside the rink. I knew what Yeezys were and what not but never had a clue on how to get them or even knew they were so limited. But to say the least, my look was terrible *Laughs*.
Looking back at what I wore then compared to now is like a two year old messing up all his toys when he is pissed off. That's the best way to look at it. Its funny thinking back at it, I would get so excited to wear these pants that don’t even fit right or shoes that don’t even go with the fit and thinking “wow this is sick,” when it's really god awful.
FRENDY: Aw man, I needed that good laugh. Do you remember your very first fire fit?
ANG: I do remember it actually, but I wouldn't say it was fire. I would say my first favorite fire fit is my Supreme patchwork outfit with my Red Octobers *Laughs*. I was so happy when I got the sweat suit in the mail. Most will say it's ugly but half the world tried to buy it and failed miserably. That Aside, it really is a crazy piece. The hoodie and pants are both hand-made with different patches. Most don't understand that, they just see a “grandma-like table cloth” because they don't understand it. The Red Octobers were worn just so I could be over the top. Shout out to Mike at 'On The Arm' in Vegas who plugged me with it too. My favorite thing is wearing either full tracksuits or full sweatsuits as you can probably tell. I don't really care what people think, I don't buy clothes for people I buy them for me.
FRENDY: How long have you been playing Hockey? Was it your goal to turn pro growing up?
ANG: I guess most people on Instagram don't follow me for hockey, I never post anything related to it. I started skating at around three years old and started playing hockey at four, which is really young. I've played for 17 years and counting and won't ever stop playing for fun. It’s every kids dream and goal to play in the NHL. I went to PEAC, which was a private hockey school. All we did was skate, train four hours a day and screw around in class. I kid you not, a teacher quit because we “stressed her out” too much.
Our team was unstoppable, our first line was, Ho Sang, Mcdavid, Subbans and so many more it was hilarious. We didn't lose all year and wasn't allowed in tournaments. I was talented but as I got older I slowly lost interest in the game and at 18 decided to stop playing competitively. I will say though I don't regret any of it, hockey taught me a lot about certain things in life. Most of my best friends play in the NHL so it's cool to see them succeed and because of that I still get to be apart of the game somehow.
Once you play hockey and are born into the hockey world you never really get away from it. Hockey gets my mind off things when I can't find a piece of clothing that I want *Laughs*. I never would have thought when I was 15 that at 19 I would be addicted to fashion. Thank the guys for that one.
FRENDY: Here comes the million-dollar question: when you’re not copping the finest threads or slithering on the ice, what is it that you do for a living to remain so fresh?
ANG: *Laughs* Yeah the million-dollar question that people are soooooo curious to know. Never really understood why people have to ask that nonstop. From now on I'm just going to say “yeah, I won the lottery in grade 6, kept it quiet though.
FRENDY: What are some your favorite brands right now?
ANG: Yeah, they probably won’t to be honest *laughs*. My favorite brands...well obviously you can tell I like Supreme. I also have other labels in my closet, people think I’m a hypebeast and just wear one particular brand. I have a lot of Saint Laurent; their jackets I own are my favorite pieces. The detail on them and the way they look is crazy! I also have Haider Ackermann items that I like a lot, wouldn’t say its my favorite brand though. Bape obviously, I had a crazy Bape phase where I was just copping from them non stop but I kind of got sick of it. Stone Island is really comfy to wear; I got a bunch of that. I honestly have most brands you can think of. I just hate when people say “Nits you’re a hypebeast.”
My take on that is at the end of the day most people in fashion, besides the people creating, are hypebeasts in their own special way. Just because I have a Supreme item that everyone wants I automatically get identified as a “hypebeast.” It’s ok in my opinion if someone buys a piece of clothing that an artist or influencer may have worn first. Unfortunately, most consider that as being “hype”.
When you see someone wear a piece that you like, why not buy it for yourself? Nothing wrong with that at all but most people get mad and call it hype. I don't know, maybe they’re just jealous. Either they don't have access, have a plug to get an exclusive item or simply just can't afford it, which is totally understandable! I feel blessed that I am able to purchase things I like and have never been the type to bring someone else down because they can’t get something. I'm not going to lie and pretend I don't like things that are hyped, there's a meaning behind it. Most of Supreme’s prized pieces have some sort of unique backstory, which is another reason why that brand is so strong. At the end of the day, people call me a hypebeast but deep down inside they all wish they were able to cop what I got.
FRENDY: Which sneakers are in your constant rotation?
ANG: I wear APLs all the time. Shout out to Adam and Ryan! Jordans for sure, bred 1’s, royal 1’s, all the 1’s really. I used to wear Yeezys a lot but its getting saturated in the market now. I try to stay away from wearing them all the time. If I get a pair early, I’ll throw them on. I really like my Nike Presto x Acronymkicks, they’re extremely comfy and their colorways. Last but not least, my Air Max 98 ’s. I never really got in to the Adidas NMD wave.
FRENDY: Who do you feel has the best style in the entertainment industry right now?
ANG: A$AP Rocky. I respect him because he barely wears what’s “in." The guy literally flies to Japan to buy brands nobody knows about so you have to respect that. He started so many trends it’s insane! He is always ahead of the game and steps outside the box.
FRENDY: On one of your recent insta stories, I saw you were putting your followers on to alot of rising brands. How often are you researching for potential new gear?
ANG: Yes I was, people don't understand that I’m young and got into this just a few years ago. Most of them will say I am a “culture vulture” but I am the furthest thing from that. So for those reading just know I spend hours daily looking at what's up and coming in fashion. I will literally sit on my computer and log on to Japanese sites that aren’t even written in English and Google translate it to read articles on what's next.
If we want to talk about Supreme culture, I literally learned about each season, each piece and so on. Till this day I am researching meanings behind their pieces. So no, I did not just see Supreme and decided to hop on buying stuff for fun. I put the effort into learning about it, which most do not do. That's what a culture vulture does, buys stuff to say they have it and not know anything about the brand’s ethos. I hate that. Daily, I am always looking for new stuff to get and new brands that people don’t know about. Aaron will always we call me and say, “let me guess researching?” I enjoy doing it. It’s fun to learn about upcoming stuff and their origins.
FRENDY: Since your passion for fashion runs deep, did you ever think about fully diving into the industry with your own brand or investing in one that you really believe in?
ANG: No, probably not. I am to busy with ProLocker and other stuff. I rather support brands by buying their clothes, never really thought about creating my own but who knows maybe I could do it. I definitely put the time into researching about it.
FRENDY: You have the money, cars and clothes but is there a special lady out there you’re sharing it all with?
ANG: *Laughs* Well I definitely don't have it all. There are way more important things in life than money, cars and clothes. In terms of special ladies, I am single but have a one on the radar. Once you get a girl, “you have to put her in designer,” as Future says. The guys always make fun of me though by always saying “Nits brings the tings to Fring’s”.
FRENDY: That’s hilarious. Well I’m sure there are tons of tings who are willing kick it for a day...or couple of months. Since you’re always in the latest gear, is it a requirement for them to have a sense of style or it doesn’t really matter?
ANG: * Laughs* Actually yes I if I were to date a girl I would want her to be into fashion like I am. She doesn't have to wear the latest stuff but definitely needs her own sense of style 100%. It’s always cool to have a girl that can relate to what you like. At the end of the day though it's not everything! But yes I would prefer it.
FRENDY: For sure, it’s all about being on the same frequency. Man, it was a pleasure having this conversation. Looking forward to see what you and the fellas will get into next. One more thing I need to know before we end though, if you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you bring?
ANG: Likewise! If I were stranded on an island the three things I would bring is a boat to get off the island, food, and a laptop with 4G so I can stay up to date with gear. Stay Woke!
