Brandon Scott James, better known as “Skimp,” has plenty of big ideas. His brand Olyympian is just three years old, but he’s manifesting collaborations with classic New York City labels such as Pelle Pelle and Avirex. He wants to make belts with exotic leathers like the luxury brands do. He wants to sell customizable foam sneakers in Target stores nationwide. His latest endeavor—a collaboration with Awake NY releasing tomorrow—could be a stepping stone that gets him there.
The Olyympian x Awake NY “Frozone City” T-shirt will be for sale at the Awake NY flagship in New York City on Saturday, Nov. 23. Out-of-towners after the shirt will be able to score the T-shirt online on Complex Shop.
For Skimp, the project is a full circle moment. He was introduced to the brand four years ago when he modeled in one of its campaigns. Now, his logo is being positioned next to Awake’s.
“It still doesn’t feel real to me,” Skimp tells Complex. “I felt like I just got signed. I got my first corporate stamp. I can talk about this when I'm 40.”
The 25-year-old has also modeled for brands like Sinclair and Adidas. He’s a skater with goals of going pro. Ultimately, he’s a promising creative who has embedded himself well in New York City’s rich downtown community. Ahead of his Awake NY collab, learn more about the bubbling creator below.
Skimp’s Awake NY Connection
The Bronx native’s introduction to Awake came through Victor Vegas, when Vegas cast him to be in a lookbook for the brand’s Reebok Workout collaboration in 2020. At the shoot, he connected with Angelo Baque, and has been a member of the Awake NY family ever since. Skimp also appeared in the lookbook for Awake’s Carhartt WIP collaboration in 2023.
“I would always apply any free game that [Angelo] gave me. I would cherish it and that shit benefited me to the highest extent,” Skimp says.
Dubbed “Frozone City,” the Olyympian x Awake tee features Awake’s “A” placed alongside Olyympian’s new marking, a double “y” reminiscent of the Yankees’ iconic “NY” logo. An image of the NYC skyline encased in an ice cube appears on the back.
“Two years ago, I drew a bunch of Awake stuff and I had no [plans] to get a collab with him. I damn near drew this into existence.”
Skimp hopes that the stamp of approval from one of streetwear’s biggest brands can take Olyympian to the next level. Baque is happy to be a small part of Skimp’s continued success.
“I believe in Skimp and his vision,” says Baque. “It’s less about passing the torch and more about opening a path.”
Skimp’s Fashion Beginnings & Skate Career
Born in Jamaica, Skimp and his family moved to the Bronx when he was seven years old. They didn’t have much money growing up, so he got resourceful. He’d pair the few statement pieces he could save up for from popular brands like Evisu or Marmot with what he referred to as “filler pieces.” He’d buy discounted shirts at warehouse stores like Forman Mills and thrift pants.
In 2014, Skimp enrolled in the visual arts program at Gramercy Arts High School. Despite not being in the fashion program, he befriended a fashion teacher who taught him how to use a sewing machine.
“The Bronx taught me how to be resourceful, how to innovate,” says Skimp. “When you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on clothes, you got to get fly out of nothing. I would take whatever my mom gave me and either remix it on the sewing machine or just try to put it on in a better way.”
After arts school, Skimp attended college to get a degree in auto body mechanics, but at the same time, he was making a name for himself in the New York skate scene. He left vocational school to pursue skating more seriously, which eventually landed him a deal with DC Shoes. More recently, he was featured in Hardbody’s OD video.
“I'm never going to quit skating,” says Skimp. “Skating is how I get away from my stress. That's how I come up with ideas.”
Skimp’s Brand Olyympian
In 2021, Skimp officially launched his clothing brand, Olyympian. The name is inspired by his friends always encouraging him to skate in the Olympics for Jamaica or the United States one day. The extra “y” was to avoid any potential lawsuits, but Skimp also thinks it “looks wavy” when he writes it out.
“I appreciate the encouragement, but they don't know what it is to skate in the Olympics,” says Skimp. “I'm like, ‘Bro, that's not going to work. How about I make a brand?’ We called that shit Olyympian.”
The first product he released was a white T-shirt. He funded its production with the money he made as a sous chef during college. It featured a play on the Olympic rings with PacMan ghost-like characters printed across the chest. Those same characters would re-emerge on future drops like windbreakers and shorts.
Olyympian’s signature offering has been its dad caps featuring doily hanging from the edge of the brim. The unique detail is inspired by the tassels and trims typically featured on boxing attire. Now, the doily material has become a signifier of Olyympian that’s appeared on various other hat styles and jacket hoods, as well as leg openings on nylon shorts.
“It was a freak accident. I didn't expect it to work as well as it did,” says Skimp. “It’s like I struck gold.”
Lower East Side shop LAAMS has played a pivotal role in Olyympian’s comeup. It became Skimp's go-to to embroider clothing. He would find himself there constantly networking with the artists and designers that frequented the shop. His continuous presence caught the attention of LAAMS owner Scott Selvin, so much so that the two released a capsule collection in 2024.
Other releases from Olyympian have run the gamut from bucket hats to women’s underwear. Heading into 2025, Skimp is focused on expanding Olyympian’s offering, starting with a series of leather bomber jackets that he produced with iconic New York City shop, Daniel’s Leather. The brand’s Instagram reveals an early look at a Coogi-inspired knit zip-up hoodie covered in splashes of pastel paint. He eventually wants to put his own spin on classic New York City staples through collabs with brands like Pelle Pelle or Avirex. Most of all, he’s focused on cultivating an authentic community of supporters.
“I care about the feeling of people putting on clothes and the love of seeing somebody in a good fit,” says Skimp. “I want to revolutionize the nostalgic swag of New York City.”