As the great Walbats inches towards sell-out status. I thought we’d ask Josh Slay a few questions about the cap, working with us here in The Clink Room, and seeing his hat up in The Clink Room Store and on the heads of Clinkers round the World. Josh is a passionate guy and he had some great insight.

What was the process of coming up with the Walbats design?

I really wanted a fresh looking W that would appeal to the masses. Coming up with the concept, I had a couple things in mind…Basic, fresh and clean. I like the idea of an evil looking W. That sounded fly to me. I also had lil wayne in mind. Thinking of a fitted that would fit perfectly into his collection. A hard looking W that is very rugged but yet so fresh. I didn’t get a chance to get him in a Walbats but I’m sure one of my designs will be in his closet someday.

Did you feel like the cap and tee was a good realization of you vision?

I thought the Walbats was a pretty clear realization of my vision. I would have changed the whole patch idea and had them actually sew it on the side of the caps. That definitely would have added a extra bang to the caps. I mean those patches are like a seal of approval. They are basically stickers that could end up in the trash. If they were on the caps that wouldn’t happen. As far as the t-shirts go, it would sick to drop them with caps at the same time. I got a lot of requests for a tee to rock with the caps.

What was it like to see your cap in the Clink store?

It was inspiring to see my design in the store. It gave me the confidence to start my own brand, Illegal Fitted which will be launching this summer. I know my unique ideas will add something fresh and exciting to the fashion and fitted hat world.

What was it like to see your hat in photos, being worn by people from allover the World?

Seeing the walbats being rocked around the World was amazing to me! All kinds of people from everywhere rocking my idea was like a blessing in fitted hat form. To get so much love off one little idea made a major impact on my life.

What would you like Clink to do with your design next?

I can see the Walbats being fitted hat classic. I don’t want it to just fade away. I would like it get restocked with a brand new colorway. I’ve got a bunch of ideas for colorways. And it definitely needs some fresh t-shirts to go along with the next colorway release!

Do you have any advice for people creating their own designs for Clink’s Collaboration Leagues?

My tip anyone designing is to be original. Don’t be scared to think outside the box. You only live once so be as creative as possible! I would also like to add this, I can honestly say The Clink Room has changed my life in a major way. I wasn’t exactly living the most positive lifestyle and when I first bought that Tulsa drillers cap, it just gravitated towards me for some reason. The Clink Room gave me a lane to completely switch my life up. These fitted hats are the platform to everything I want out of life. I will always support and promote The Clink Room till I touch the casket.