From keen observations, with added creativity, supported by a whole lot of passion, Ron Schmelzer came up with what we in the fashion world call: an edgy, experimental fashion statement.  Check his Zoptopz caps which transform the conventional cap shape into… well, Zoptopz.  SoJones talked to Ron Schmelzer about his headwear line.
Introduce yourself and describe how your brand was started?
Glad you asked! J Zoptopz was a bit of a fluke – I am really a technology guy – not an fashion guru. I founded an internet company in 1994 that really grew fast during the dot-com hey days and was sold in 2001 as the bubble burst. I then started another technology company that ended up becoming mostly focused on market research. It was during that market research phase that I started paying close attention to what was going on in the hip hop and urban apparel fashion markets. In particular, I was very interested in trends, fads, and crazes. You know, you think those three things all mean the same, but they’re different…
Around 2005 I noticed that the New Era 5950s (59fifty) were really starting to get hot as a trend (not that they weren’t before… Spike Lee really kicked it off in the early 90s), especially the trend on wearing super fresh, clean caps with super-flat brims with the New Era stickers still on them – as if they could be placed back on the shelf. Well, I thought that they were superfly. But all good things must change. At some point, the fascination with the flat brim on a traditional cap would come to an end. Afterall, the 59fifties were invented in the 1950s! More importantly, people are starting to see caps as more than just souvenir / sports apparel wear. They are status symbols. They are fashion icons.
Premium caps (caps that sell above $35 or so) are now becoming a lot more common. People buy caps that go with their outfits, even if they sport logos and teams they don’t necessarily support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been walking down the street seeing someone wear the fly Florida Marlins cap, not because they support the team, but because they love the shade of teal. Anyways, if people are going to be spending their money on premium caps, they should want some caps that really stand out as a fashion item – not something they can pick up from a street vendor outside a ballpark.
What’s up with the unusual caps?
The idea of “taking a twist on the ordinary baseball cap” led to the innovation of Zoptopz. Zoptopz are unlike any other cap you’ve ever seen or worn. They have the craziest, funkiest bills. They are probably the first real innovation and evolution in the shape and style of six-panel baseball caps since at least the 59fifty, and perhaps even farther. We’ve been seeing the ultra flat brims for so long, that we were just dying for a change! We’ve seen all sorts of innovations in every aspect of style, but cap brims have remained the same throughout the ages. We want to step up and embrace the future, try something new for 2010! After all, we’re in a new decade now – time for something more innovative.

Zoptopz provide an amazing canvas for creative designs that surpasses what is available to current brands and cap designers. Instead of just designing for the six panels of the cap and a flat brim, we currently offer four different patented, trademarked, and fully IP protected brim designs: M, Wave, Kurl, and Krimp that greatly expand the uniqueness and creativity of cap designs.
In addition, our caps are designed as premium products from the very button on the top of the cap to the very bottom of the bill. We use our own stretch-fit technology that provides a fitted look without specific sizing. Our caps are lined on the inside with red polyester stretch satin that gives it an extra feeling of luxury. Our caps also have custom inside seam tape ribbons with our brand and a brand tag that oozes luxury with Silver Lurex thread.
Is there a theme for this season?
Since this is our first real season, our theme is “GO BIG OR DON’T GO AT ALL!”. I think for the rest of the recovering economy, recovering parts of the world (our hearts go out to Haiti), and recovering feelings and attitudes, perhaps the theme for this 2010 will be “recovery”. What that means as far as look and style goes, I’m not sure. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of retro late 80s, early 90s looks with bright colors and shapes that harken back to a different era of rap and hip hop.
Include any sources of inspiration (examples: 80’s punk, muses like Amber Rose, 70’s disco bands, Kanye, etc)
We’re very much inspired by what’s coming out of the retro 80s/90s urban fashion movement. Stepping out like Will Smith circa 1992 might be making a big time come back.



Any product placements on celebs to keep an eye out for (examples: publicity photos, magazines, movies, music videos etc)
Things are really starting to crank at Zoptopz – without revealing too much, stay tuned here for some amazing partnerships, promotions, and visions of Zoptopz on the heads of your favorite designers, entertainers, artists, and celebs. We hope to make some big announcements soon!
What has been a surprise fashion hit over the last year? (a particular piece, a look or even another brand)
We’ve got a couple of thoughts for you on this one. First, we’ve taken notice of TapOut and MMA gear. The battle between Affliction and TapOut over the past year has really taken center stage. From another front, we’ve been surprised by the popularity of thigh highs [boots] with the ladies. It’s a great look that oozes with attitude, but when I first saw it on the runways I thought for sure it would never make it off of street walkers. But I’m glad I was wrong! Also, I don’t know why and how the popped collars have made a come back (maybe the retro-80s thing I mentioned above), but it just doesn’t look as rebel as it used to.
What current fashion trend do you think will go great with your caps and what trend would you like to see thrown overboard?
First, there are a number of great brands that have “affinity” with our premium Zoptopz caps. Since we’re going for a notch up from casual, pairing our caps with some high-end jeans from the up-and-coming designers with great embroidery and design is key. Also, putting on the right kicks with fly colors and hot styles is key.
Also, I think that the recent 80s retro looks with playful colors would look great with a matching Zoptopz cap! Something old, something new, the whole look would be awesome!
The trend I would love to see thrown overboard is leggings as pants. They look great with mini dresses, shorts, skirts, pretty much anything. But they’re a little too much on their own.
What is/was one of your most prized fashion pieces, past or present?
When I was six, I had a outfit with neon green and turquoise swirls in that super fashionable 90s print. I would wear my high top sneakers, baggy shorts, that crazy shirt, and a matching baseball cap. Looking back, I looked like an extra from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, but back then I thought I looked the bomb! I tried to wear that look every single day that whole year. Come to think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever been as confident about an outfit since that one. I wish I had it in my size now!
TuPac or Biggie?
Now don’t get that started again … Actually, it’s an interesting question because here in Baltimore, we are fortunate and lucky that we don’t have to choose. Tupac went to school right here in Baltimore (along with Jada Pinkett). Don’t remember? Check it out at http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/education/blog/2007/11/tupac_shakur_on_his_time_at_ba.html. Of course, being a die-hard East Coaster, we have to give our props to Biggie and we totally are in that groove. That being said, your question has resparked the debate here at Zoptopz. Here’s the earful I’m getting now from my folks:

“Biggie is good for club music and everything. But Tupac was an artist, I love him! Me and my boyfriend (huge biggie fan from NYC) get into this argument all the time!”

“2pac is from Bmore so I’m more tempted to say him. But personally, I’m a Biggie fan. Being a true blue East coaster (I was born and raised in DC) I got to say Biggie. I love Tupac, I respect him as an artist. But when I go up to the DJ booth to request a song for my girlfriends, it’s always “Big Poppa!”

Truth be told, we love it all – just keep it coming.
Ron and his Zoptopz crew offer you quite a wide selection of Zoptopz, ranging from $35.00 – $45.00 and they’re all available for sale on the Zoptopz website: www.zoptopz.com.  Here are some of SoJones favorites from the Zoptopz collection.