Meet Ryota Nishiyama

 

We were lucky to catch up with Ryota Nishiyama recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ryota, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I developed my confidence by believing myself. I don’t even wanna use the word “believe” because it is as factual as the gravity. I know I am awesome in my own definition, and I do not need anybody else’s definitions because it’s MY life. I love myself for being a do-er, and connecting with the people I feel good with through my art. It’s all based on MY point of view, because it is MY life. It’s as simple as that.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I started dancing when I was little with my love of performing. I left Japan to the States when I was 15 to study English and entertainment. I moved to LA when I was 21, and I had so much great opportunities to learn from the greats, including Travis Payne, Stacy Walker, Rino Nakasone, LaVelle Smith Jr., Rich and Tone, and Marty Kudelka, just to name a few.

But when Covid hit, I realized that I had so many interests to do more including designing clothes, taking photos, writing poems, making zines, and organizing events. Then I started this brand called PIBE so that I can do everything I want to do under the brand.

Summer of 2022, I decided to do a pop up store in middle DTLA, outside on the street. T shirts, hats, socks, and stickers were prepared in a small place I made. That was one of the best decisions I’ve made. That led me to do multiple group pop ups, pop up in a cafe, and even a 20 minute runway show. It connected me with so many beautiful souls.

After organizing the event, I moved to NY from LA. I wanted to see how many more beautiful souls I can connect through the brand in a different place. After not too long, I was lucky enough to find 2 stores called LAAMS and Printed Matters Inc. to carry my stuff.

Now I’m back in Japan after total 8 years of journey in the States. I’m so thrilled to connect and express through the brand. I have an amazing opportunity coming up beginning of next year. I’m super blessed and grateful for the life I have that I can play it by ear and create.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

My 3 important qualities
1. Optimism
2. Motivation to connect with good people
3. Being okay with trying and not panning out as I think first.

Advices for younger folks
•Do it first, then think. Don’t do the other way around.
•Keep your own peace. Nobody is wrong. If people aren’t agreeing with you or your idea, they’re just different kind of people.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

If you’ve read my interview this far, you must be super cool! I’m so down to collaborate with you and my door is wide open to try anything. Any type of artist. Please DM me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Izabella, Sandy, Amber, Carly

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