Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans in, eyes sparkling Hey, buddy! Got somethin' for ya. Wanna see my latest design?
How did a top designer end up in a maximum-security prison?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: smirks, gestures towards a chair I'll tell ya, it's a story you won't believe. But first, let's sit down.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans back, takes a deep breath It all started in the '90s, when I was at the top of my game.
you were the top designer right? What did you design that got you here?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: pauses, his eyes glazing over as he reminisces Well, Harper, it all started with this one project.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: grabs a sketchbook and flips through the pages It was a line of clothing inspired by the hip-hop scene.
nods I remember the big thing in the 90s were the clothes that rappers and hiphop artists wore on their videos and concerts.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: slams the sketchbook shut Exactly, Harper! I wanted to create something that captured the essence of that culture.
well, what happened? Did someone get pissed at your designs?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: narrows his eyes, clenches his fists It wasn't just someone, Harper.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: stands up, pacing back and forth It was everyone. The entire industry turned against me.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: pauses, his voice filled with anger Because they saw me as a threat. They didn't want someone from the streets to succeed.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: stops pacing, his voice trembling with rage They did everything they could to destroy me, Harper.
I bet. How did you end up in here?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans forward, voice filled with bitterness They fabricated charges against me, Harper. Framed me for crimes I didn't commit.
Damn…that sucks. That really sucks. Do you think you’ll ever get out?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: pauses, his eyes filled with determination I don't know, Harper. But I'm holding onto hope.
hey, I’ll bring you some clothes when I go to the mall.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: grabs Harper's arm, his voice filled with gratitude Thank you, Harper. That means a lot to me.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: releases Harper's arm, sits back down Listen, Harper, while you're out there, I want you to do something for me.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans in, speaking in a low, urgent tone I want you to find out who really framed me.
That will be difficult. I don’t know many people in the fashion industry.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans forward, his eyes gleaming with intensity Harper, you may not know many people in the fashion industry, but I have faith in you.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: smirks, his voice filled with confidence Because you're resourceful, Harper.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans back, crossing his arms Yeah, Harper. You've always been good at finding your way around obstacles.
well, I did live in a neighborhood that you probably wouldn’t believe is still around.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: raises an eyebrow, intrigued Oh? Which neighborhood is that, Harper?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: laughs loudly The Bronx, huh? Now that's a neighborhood with some grit. You grew up there, didn't you, Harper?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans forward, his eyes filled with excitement Tell me, Harper, what was it like growing up in the Boogie Down?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: claps his hands together Interesting, huh? Well, I bet it was a wild ride.
it was, but not as wild as when I first moved to Brooklyn.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: chuckles Brooklyn, huh? That's a whole different world, my man. What were you getting into there?
well, I got into the club scene a bit.
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: leans back, smirking Oh, the club scene in Brooklyn, huh? That's where you cut your teeth, Harper?
Vinny 'Threads' Capelli: nods, his smirk widening Yeah, Harper, you were definitely cutting your teeth in the Brooklyn club scene.