Los Perros, A Product of Imagination and Passion
By Busola Awobode
Co-Owners Manuel Rozario (Left) and Kashif Amar (Right) at Los Perros on 1819 Acushnet Ave in New Bedford. Amar wearing one of the store pieces available for purchase.
What may have started as a spur-of-the-moment business collaboration has come to fruition on 1819 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, and has the potential to become principal in the New Bedford community. Los Perros is a clothing consignment and garment printing store headed by Kashif Amar who is the creative end of the business, Manuel Rozario who deals with the printing aspects, and Bobby Afonso who is “the man with the resources” says Amar.
The store boasts exclusive and unique unisex pieces as well as everyday styles and staple pieces ranging from high to lower prices. However, a lot of the business centers around its ability to garment print in-house whether for in-store retail pieces or specialty and made-to-order requests as the idea to self-print was a major motivator to start the business. This is because as Amar says it “cuts out the middle-man” who would typically print at a higher cost.
Kashif Amar, the creative brain behind the pieces in the store says that his designs are often inspired by trends in fashion or popular ideas and concepts. He also likes to look into other artists who are doing similar things as he and draw inspiration from them. He reckons it is a bit like studying as he devotes a lot of time to researching concepts and staying on top of what people like at any given moment.
However, a big inspiration for him is also nostalgia. Amar says he likes to “think back to simple times and remember what it was like before” bringing that into his artistry. Aside from his main influences, he also states that he likes to keep his mind open as inspiration can also be random and spontaneous.
As a native of New Bedford, Amar expresses a connection to the city and its people. Thus, having a storefront is pivotal for him. This differs from his business Kasa Meiggs which he started in 2014 and runs primarily online. And while he expresses the importance of having an online presence, he states that a storefront not only gives him “a comfort zone to create”, but it also provides the opportunity to collaborate with customers and bring their ideas to life.
Some of the unprinted items in the printing studio at Los Perros on 1819 Acushnet Ave
Additionally, the ability to showcase local brands and give local business owners a space to sell is also important to him as it is his way to give back to his community and support up-and-coming brands. He hopes that the growth of Los Perros and other up-and-coming businesses will attract people who can help grow the area even further.
Amar highlights the importance of imagination and passion in success regardless of the field of work saying, “it all starts with an idea and an imagination”. He credits his creativity for his decade-long career and success as well as his willingness to try regardless of the fear of failure. His ability to as he says “express himself in different outlets” is what keeps him busy and has helped him grow. Amar hopes to inspire others, specifically the youth who might feel as he was before he began to create; stuck and restricted.
And while he says he is noticing a wave of entrepreneurship and initiative from the youth, he hopes to continue to serve as a testament that success is possible as he believes “the more you see it [success], the more you know it is possible”. Amar hopes the story of two youth ethnic entrepreneurs will create a tidal wave wherein people begin to believe they can achieve great things. As Rozario, his partner says, “you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it”.
Los Perros hopes to continue to support the New Bedford community and build a network of people who are passionate about creativity and fashion and are genuinely interested in their work.