ICY KOF OF THE UNKNOWN VLOGS

Kofi McCalla, or more popularly known as Icy Kof, built his community and empire of fashion enthusiasts with nothing but the camera on his iPhone and one single question. His community and following resides within his YouTube channel – The Unknown Vlogs. His curiosity led him to ask the question on many people’s minds when it came to fashion:

"How much is your outfit?"

Part of his charm stems from his humble beginnings, saving up for a ticket to visit the Supreme flagship store in London. Sharing that part of his life has reached out to the many that have such similar interests. Ever since then, he has gathered alongside him over 700k subscribers, all following Icy’s journey within the world of fashion as he seeks to learn and share his love for all things fashion and culture.

Not only is he now able to bring his audience on his journey but share with them his creations. Leaving his mark in the fashion industry, Kofi runs his own luxury and streetwear collection, working alongside graduates and creatives from Central Saint Martins.

Tell us a bit about yourself, how long have you been in London, and what has led you to your current career.

Like most other millennials, I grew up on the internet. Everything began through Tumblr, which is where I discovered authentic streetwear culture. My early beginnings included discovering brands such as Supreme online first, then in-store. I uploaded my discoveries on YouTube to show my friends, that’s how I started.

I grew up in Kent, but I've lived in London for about 9 years now. Although I studied in a Law School for University, my hobby and passion has always lied within fashion in YouTube. Fortunately, my hobby became a way I could earn and make a living, so I had to decide about where to allot my time towards.

I like to spend most my time on Soho where I pass by friends, meet new people and am constantly inspired by how individuals express themselves which I find only in Soho.

Looking at your social media, we can see how much you enjoy creativity, fashion, travel, and entrepreneurialism. Tell us a bit about what it means to run your own business?

Frankly speaking, this is my life. I enjoy bringing people into my day-to-day activity. I have always loved creating relatable content for my audience. I am after all a creator at heart. However, I will say that it did get tiresome when the exposure grew and the whole “influencer” phenomenon kicked off.

Talk to us about what hard work means to you?

Hard work comes in many forms, and one way to notice hard work is the lack of free time. Not having free time, ever, is a sign that a shift is being put in. Ever so focused on the present, living in the now, it can mean that tomorrow is never promised.

Working from home has become the norm these days, has that been the same for you, and if so, how have you adapted to it? What does home mean to you?

During lockdown, I rented a studio so that I could be situated in a space which motivates me to work. However, I came to realise that it did not work as I preferred to be in the comfort of my own home. So, what I have done is structured my apartment in a way that promotes a healthy work / life schedule. A circular open plan which flows in a way that signifies the start of the day to the end of the day.

Technology – How will it work? / What will happen?

Technology will definitely evolve with time, there is no doubt about that. With regards to social media, I think there is a bigger purpose that stems beyond social media platforms like TikTok. It is often that we get caught up in social media, relying on technology to communicate, forgetting that it is also important to be able to understand people in real life too.

What is your favourite object or room in your home, and why?

The coffee table which I also use for my turntable and speakers are the standouts and conversation starters in my home I would say.

What are your favourite scents and why?

Scent is key, lighting a candle is vital to making home feel like home. I tend to gravitate more towards heavy, woody scents.

What does your perfect day look like? Do you have any rituals you swear by?

Teatime is an important part of my daily routine. I cherish the conversations that take place over a cup of tea very much.

Tradition to me stems from discipline and being able to carry it out consistently. I enjoy creating new traditions with people that I meet. Teatime, for example, is one of them. One of my rituals/routines include Friday nights at a place called Loui where I release stress and network with other people. Being disciplined means I can manage my time well, allowing me to reply to and interact with everyone.

If you could take us on a trip anywhere, where would you take us and why?

I would take you to the beach. I reckon doing a set by the beach, DJing by the sea and under the warm sun would be fun.

I am a big fan of pasta so I always eat pasta with anything.