t HUGHIE HUGHES TYLER PATTERSON q
p KIRSTEN POHLE
p ALYSSA GOZUN
p LOUIS
AS A CITY THAT IS INFAMOUS FOR ITS LACK OF ONE CENTRAL DISTRICT, with different “centers” spanning from Long Beach to Ventura, Los Angeles has been going through a massive renovation in its downtown quarter. Redevelopment projects that span out from LA’s main highrises have been in the constant presence of cranes and fenced-off construction sites for the past few years. What has been emerging are high-end boutiques, posh cafes and bars, studio lofts with rent costs that rival Manhattan or London’s West End. With whispers of gentrification across the internet, key questions are raised regarding the issues that come with the territory of Downtown LA’s newest label as “America’s Next Great City” (as labeled by GQ Magazine in January 2014). Downtown’s shift to the up-and-coming epicenter of our predominantly single center-less city has focalized the issue of homelessness in the downtown area. In July, The LA Times reported that Los Angeles “remains second to New york as the region with the most homeless residents” in the United States, an increase of 16 percent since 2011. As the city’s face is in constant evolution, there are those still adamant of keeping the soul of the city humble. Out from a small house on the east side of Los Angeles, Tyler Patterson and Hughie Hughes run Povertees, a clothing line that has been helping build relationships with the homeless community in Downtown LA. Their clothes feature stylized pockets that are hand sewn onto men and women’s tee shirts, tank tops and hoodies. 20 percent of their proceeds are donated to help the homeless in Downtown LA,
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10 percent to provisions and 10 percent to the Midnight Mission’s emergency bed program. In keeping to their spirit as a clothing line, Patterson and Hughes represent a growing number of Angelenos who are becoming more involved in walking among those who are less fortunate. The company’s spirit is fundamentally based in the ambitions of the up-and-coming generation bent on helping others and dealing with complex issues. With a vastly negative public perception of the homeless community that has plagued the city for decades, there is solace to be had with Povertees’ efforts to bring awareness and attention to the homeless issue that has been all but blocked out by redevelopment plans. Projects like the Povertees Community Art Collective, which showcases the work of local artists and gives people a chance to be active without the sole donation of money, have put their clothing line in the right direction not only for the clothing line, but the downtown community in its entirety. I sat down with Hughes and Patterson to open up about perception, community outreach and the changing city. During the discussion, we refer to an article by Ed Leibowitz called “Reinventing Skid Row: When Hipsters Met the Homeless, and Made a New Downtown L.A.” You can find the piece at www.politico.com.