Big Time

BIG TIME The 47mm case of the Swatch BIG BOLD watches requires an equally substantial personality to pull off – namely, the Island Boys Collective whose star power is on the rise.

- Bryan Goh

How did the Island Boys Collective (IBC) come about?

Izzraimy: One year ago, my brother Izzadely and I worked at a sneaker cleaning store while planning for this business. We sat down one day and decided to name it Island Boys. Before Island Boys came, we all worked together under PRAV’s brand.WAV(Y) and ever since then, we have been all over the world doing what we do.

PRAV: Everything felt really organic, we have all been homies for the longest time, and everyone was part of the. WAV(Y) crew, so it was just something that blossomed over time.

Izzadely: The name Island Boys actually came about when I was at my dance crew’s breakdance class. My dance instructor had a talk with us at the end of the class, and he told us about how we should be proud of our style, who we are, and where we are from. Not sure which part of the talk this was, but in between, he said something along the lines of “Singapore is an island, and we are all Island Boys”. That name stuck with me ever since, and I proposed to use it when we were thinking of a name to use for the business.

Imran: I had always seen the boys around, at events, at. WAV(Y). After a little while, I started doing little projects just for fun, and eventually, Izz pitched the idea of Island Boys to me. I’ve always thought that no man is an island – everyone needs a support system in anything they pursue, especially work, so it just made sense.

Shafeeq: Izz got me a job at the same sneaker cleaning store after I had left my full-time job. We then left that job together to focus on what we do now. I actually love telling this story.

What is the number one theme that every piece of your work stems from?