PROJECT.
PROJECT: continual evolvement over time with the intent to achieve a particular purpose.
PROJECT. opened its doors in 2019 in Fortitude Valley and moved to James Street in late 2020. It received praise from vintage and cutting-edge streetwear fans alike who had waited for what felt like a lifetime for a one-of-a-kind streetwear store like this to come to Brisbane. PROJECT. is future-focused and is a lot more than just your average retail store. We sat down with Ethan Kostromin, owner of PROJECT, to delve deeper into how this passion for rare finds began and how it grew into a business.
Interview by Danielle Fox
Photographs Samuel Bamford
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BACKGROUND?
I’m 25 years of age born in Auckland, New Zealand and I moved to Australia over 10 years ago now. Like most kids, I graduated from school and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I tried uni and quickly figured out it wasn’t for me. While working part-time in a sneaker store I completed a diploma in Business at TAFE, which to be honest I thought I took very little from, but here I am now running my own business.
WHAT MADE YOU SO PASSIONATE ABOUT FASHION AND FOOTWEAR, AND VINTAGE FINDS?
I’ve always been interested in clothing and shoes since I was a little fella, but it really turned more into a passion a couple of years after school. I was working in a sneaker store part-time and was finding myself coming home after each shift either with a new pair or spending hours online trying to find something that no one else had. For vintage it was much the same, I was the kid at school searching through eBay during maths trying to find some polo sports gems.
WHAT MADE YOU PICK BRISBANE AS THE NEW LOCATION FOR THE STORE?
After establishing PROJECT. on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane for me felt like the natural next step. It was a bigger city with more people that could allow PROJECT. the opportunity to grow.
WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS YOU LOOK FOR IN A PIECE FOR PROJECT.?
I am always on the hunt for unique and sought - after products. To sum it up I would say - rarity, quality & demand.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE THAT YOU’VE EVER OBTAINED?
That’s a hard question! My favourite piece that I have ordered for a customer would be a pair of Jordan 1 x Dior. Crazy shoe in hand and first Jordan made in Italy - the quality is awesome! On the other hand, my favourite piece/pieces I get for the store would honestly be when I get big deliveries of new vintage product. I love this stuff as much as my customers do so it’s like Christmas when I get to go through them all!
Photo Above: Courtesy of DIOR
LOOKING AT YOUR CAREER NOW, DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW THAT THIS WOULD BE FOR YOU?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I knew it was for me, but when I’m in store meeting so many people and chatting about sneakers and vintage all day, I always think how grateful I am to make a living off something that I am so passionate about.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR STYLE? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL DEFINITION OF STYLE?
I’m not sure if I have an exact style... I tend to mix things up regularly with old and new items, but I would say the items I wear are definitely 90’s inspired - from headwear to sneakers.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT NEXT? WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE FOR THE FUTURE?
At the moment with PROJECT. I’m really focused on growing in this new location we’ve relocated to on James Street. There are new customers daily coming in who don’t know we’ve been around for nearly 2 years which is awesome... This year I will definitely be working a lot more on our website to expand online. I’ll also be hosting a lot more events in store and working with local Brisbane creatives! I’m looking forward to what this year has in stall for us.