555 SOUL - An old legend is reborn

To clarify formalities from the get-go, let's start with the name - 555 SOUL - pronounced as "Triple Five Soul." You may not be familiar with it, but the name has had a significant impact on the streetwear culture as you know it today. Read on for a brief introduction to 555 SOUL in this article.

555 SOUL, founded by Camella Ehlke, first saw the light of day as a physical store in the Lower East Side of New York City in 1989. At that time, Camella was just 19 years old and had recently dropped out of art school. She needed to do something and had a passion for creative processes and construction, so she opened the store on Ludlow Street. In the store, she sold clothing, including unique hand-sewn styles and pieces made from leftover materials, which can be considered ahead of its time. The store quickly became a gathering place for all sorts of creative individuals from various fields - everyone from designers, rappers, musicians, skaters, and artists frequented the store.

SHOP 555 SOUL

The environment and culture surrounding 555 Soul in the 1990s existed in a time without the internet and mobile phones, a more unrefined, raw, and creatively different world. That's how New York was in the 1990s, and precisely that is part of 555 SOUL's identity. Camella created patchwork hoodies that quickly caught the attention of one of the prominent rappers of the time, Pos from De La Soul. Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest also nodded appreciatively in the brand's direction. Camella's styles were featured in reputable fashion magazines like Paper, and fashion-conscious visitors from Japan in the 90s would pack their suitcases with 555 SOUL when visiting New York City.

555 SOUL has been there from the beginning of streetwear, and the brand has undoubtedly had a significant impact on streetwear culture. If you consider the era in which the brand originated and compare it to other brands from that time, the names speak for themselves - Stüssy (1984), 555 SOUL (1989), BAPE (1993), and Supreme (1994).

SHOP 555 SOUL

The business grew, and as things progressed, Camella and her brand gained more and more recognition, achieving greater success. By 1996, 555 SOUL had become a leading figure in streetwear in New York, and there were stores not only in New York City but also in Los Angeles, London, and Japan. New financial partners came on board as the company expanded, partnerships that were not always for the best. Over time, Camella felt that she was sacrificing her creativity for financial gain, and as it became more about profit than the creative process, which was initially her passion, she could no longer see herself in it. Consequently, she left the brand in 2004.

After many years of dormancy, 555 SOUL is now back, and over the past year, founder Camella Ehlke has been working with a small, new team to revive the brand. The first collection with Camella at the helm since 2004 was unveiled in the spring/summer season of 2023.

We are proud to welcome 555 SOUL to qUINT for the autumn/winter season of 2023. You can find the brand in both our physical stores and online on our webshop.