PLAGUEROUND, the brainchild of Seattle’s Max Drot, draws inspiration from designers such as Margiela, himumimdead, Demna, Comme des Garçons, Walter van Beirendonck, Helmut Lang, and Basquiat. The clothing produced by PLAGUEROUND can vary from dark and edgy to fun and artistic, often incorporating elements of found clothing to create something entirely new. Ultimately, each piece serves as an experiment in creative expression, according to its creator, Max Drot. We recently caught up with Drot during one of his occasional visits to Los Angeles.

[What's your name and what do you do?]

"I'm Max Drot and I'm the founder of PLAGUEROUND."

Age: 27

[What's the origin story of your brand?]

I got an airbrush and wanted to start making clothes for myself while I was working my serving job in spring of 2018.

[Where are you from?]

My Dad is from France and my mom's family is from Ukraine. I moved from Greece when I was 5 to Seattle and grew up there.

[Why do you make what you make?]

I make what I want to wear or I treat some of the pieces I make as canvases to airbrush, draw and paint on.

[How do you make what you make?]

l airbrush or paint on garments I come across, or design graphics in Photoshop for more image-based work.

When it comes to less graphic-focused designs, silhouettes, and manufacturing ideas, I'll draft patterns, create tech packs, or combine and hybrid clothes into something new. I'm constantly experimenting with new techniques to create garments.

[What's the best part of running your brand?]

Creating in so many different ways and being able to experiment and think outside the box. I like not doing the same thing everyday and having new experiences.

[What's the worst part of running your brand?]

Probably the logistical side of things, the not-as-creative parts for me.

[What's your favorite piece you ever made?]

Might be a black cut and sewn bondage pant w/ removable skirt Flap that also turns into a bondage zippered side bag. 

I also really like the Hanes sock shoe. I have to say at least one of my mixed media pieces, one of the early ones because that's what really started Plagueround.

[What's one thing the Lowheads community should know about you or your brand?]

Do whatever you want in life.