Unlabeled.

In 2008, at 19 years old, I landed a job at Ecko Unlimited at the Atlantic City outlets as a sales associate. This was my introduction to my retail career, and it was here that I first connected deeply with the Ecko brand. Marc Ecko’s brand was more than just a clothing line; it represented creativity, culture, and a bold, unapologetic approach to streetwear.

In 2013, Marc Ecko released a book that further solidified my connection to the brand and its culture. I took a picture of the book with the rhino statue we had in the window of our store and used that photo to submit to the contest he was throwing in celebration of the book’s release. To my surprise and excitement, I won and was invited to the book signing event. I got to meet Marc Ecko, have my book signed, and hear him speak about his life and experiences. It was an incredible moment for me, especially after working for the company for so many years.

Shortly after that event, between 2013 and 2014, many of the Ecko Unlimited stores, including the one I worked at, began to close down. As a result, I managed to take home one of our iconic rhino head displays before it was all packed away. The brand and the experience stuck with me, even as the stores closed. I moved on to other opportunities, but that connection to the Ecko brand and to Marc Ecko himself continued to influence my path forward.

Fast forward to 2016, I had the opportunity to work as an assistant photographer at Slam X Hype in New York City. The yellow building was a large, multi-purpose structure in Hell’s Kitchen, and the top floor housed a variety of smaller streetwear brands like Rocksmith and Alife. It was an inspiring, fast-paced environment where I spent my days taking photos of clothing while other photographers worked on shooting models. The office itself was lavish, with beautiful furniture, conference rooms, and a rooftop area overlooking the city.

What made this experience even more surreal was the moment I realized that Slam X Hype was formerly Marc Ecko’s office. I had a full-circle moment when I saw photos of him in the space, connecting my journey from working for his company in Atlantic City to now working in the very environment he once built his brand out of. I was floored. It felt like fate.

Unfortunately, the company decided to close that location, which meant my time there was short-lived. After three months, I returned home to Atlantic City. It was during this period that my gender identity crisis became unavoidable. For so long, I had been ignoring the internal struggle, focusing solely on my art and career. But by 26, the weight of everything caught up to me, and I knew I had to take a step back and focus on my transition.

Back in Atlantic City, I focused on local projects, including a sneaker store I co-created with my friend Dante called Ocean 1, where we sold Supreme, Jordans, Yeezys, and other streetwear brands. I also worked with Stealth Bros and Co., as well as dabbling in other creative projects before ultimately creating my own space, Heart & Bone Studio.

Now, I find myself once again at a full-circle moment. Recently, I ordered a t-shirt from Marc Ecko’s 30th-anniversary collection, and when I opened the box, I was immediately taken back to where it all began. The t-shirt was beautifully wrapped in special tissue paper, with a card and a letter tucked inside, all placed in a sleek, all-black box. On the top of the box was the iconic rhino logo, bold and striking. When I saw that logo, my face lit up. It was like opening a time capsule of my journey with the brand.

That moment sparked this whole trip down memory lane, and I shared the story with both Megan, one of the artists working in my studio, and Guine, my studio assistant. Megan playfully poked fun at my excitement, but I explained, “There would be no Heart & Bone Studio without the influence Marc Ecko had on my life.” His book wasn’t just about his successes, but also his failures, openly sharing the mistakes he made along the way. It was bold of him to admit those missteps, and I’ve been able to apply that knowledge to avoid making the same ones in my own journey.

The insights Marc Ecko shared have been invaluable, not just for me, but for thousands, if not millions, of others. Now, as I walk into my studio, I realize how far I’ve come, and it all traces back to those early days of inspiration and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

P.S. Hey Marc, if you ever happen to see this, I’d love to ask a small favor. The copy of your book I have was signed with my old name, back before my transition. It would mean the world to me if I could get a new one signed to Miko Beach. It would truly be special to have one that reflects who I am today.

Thanks for everything!