What’s your most awkward lunch ever? Sean Wotherspoon wants to know

As a designer and creative director, Sean Wotherspoon isn’t afraid to dream big and follow his most grandiose or random ideas. The result is something magical with everything he creates and designs. That’s because, at the end of the day, he’s a passionate connoisseur and a mission-driven person in all aspects. Wotherspoon is well known for Round Two, his highly curated streetwear and vintage boutique on the fashion-forward Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, and has collaborated with larger-than-life brands such as Nike and Adidas to create bold, innovative clothing and footwear pieces that have been welcomed by not only the streetwear community but the fashion world as a whole.

With his latest project Late Lunch, a collaboration with mobile video shopping platform NTWRK, Wotherspoon interviews his friends and creative peers in the light atmosphere of a late lunch. His positivity radiates through each interview but also allows for wonderful insights and wisdom to shine through in every episode. In addition, Wotherspoon uses this venture to promote his plant-based message. His aim is to make veganism a more accessible idea, as highlighted by his partnerships with local vegan eateries across Los Angeles. By partnering with NTWRK, the show is able to be interactive, including merch drops for every episode that are shoppable in real time, and also opens the door for charity initiatives. While the premise is set around the simple concept of a late lunch with a friend, the show goes well beyond that and creates an immersive, interactive experience that enriches culture and pushes positivity.

Read more: RATSTAR believes shopping vintage is the best way to avoid fast fashion

You are a nonlinear person, and I feel like this new show Late Lunch only furthers your mission and message to the world. In your own words, what does this project mean to you?

My best way to explain [it] is that whenever I start a new platform, new brand or clothing company, I always want to use it as a vehicle to bring a new message to life. That’s what I want to do with Late Lunch. It’s something that’s really personal to me and really represents my life. There’s a bunch of designers, creatives, celebrities and musicians who I look up to, and I always say that I would love to have 30 minutes with these people. We have no script, no theme and no ask on the guest’s side. It’s all organic.

I’m really lucky to know so many people who have done so much, know so much and have so much to share. I want to offer a platform where we can talk about what we want to talk about. It’s inspiring to the consumer, to the everyday person, and it’s fun for them to watch with fun things to connect with. Another part is that it is a late lunch. I eat vegan, so a big thing for me is how I can get the plant-based message to be more accessible. I don’t think everyone needs to eat vegan, but I believe people at least need access to the information and the fair chance to make the decision if they choose so. Our world needs these points of positivity, and that’s the vibe of Late Lunch to me.

Even if you know your guests well beforehand, do you feel like you learn more about them after interviewing them for the show?

To me, that’s what I wanted to achieve without having any script for questions because then we will just know the answers we are digging for, but if I ask a more random question, it’s better. A question I am excited to ask is, “What is the latest you’ve ever been to a lunch?” The next question would be, “What was your most awkward lunch?” I had no idea the answer I was looking for, but maybe there would be a funny story. When I asked Ben Baller this, he ended up telling me that his most awkward lunch was with Michael Jackson. [Laughs.] It was a really dope story that I would have never known to dig out, but because of this random question, we got it. I want to ask the weird questions no one has been asked before. 

You have a way of being the coolest and most positive guy in the room, which in turn makes everyone feel cooler themselves. Do you feel like this is why you end up getting such honest answers from guests? 

I appreciate that. When your whole community is feeling good, then you are all pushing forward. I feel good when everyone around me feels good, and I can control the tone of the room if I’m positive and hyped. Once I learned that, it became something that was to my benefit and to my demise. If I’m super bummed about something, it really changes the whole mood of the room. I realize I need to be careful to be happy and positive so everyone can function in the same way.

What has your relationship with NTWRK been like since making the show, and how do they help bring your ideas to life? 

It took me five years to find the right people who first off I trust, but second off, trust me and respect my ideas enough to bring [them] to life. I’m super grateful for [NTWRK founder] Aaron Levant and NTWRK. Aaron, specifically, is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met in my life, and part of what goes into being one of the smartest people is believing in people. Aaron is great because you can come to him with the wackiest idea, and he’s going to try and believe in it for you. I feel so grateful to have friends like this. I will text the NTWRK team some crazy ideas, and within 24 hours, they start making it happen, and I have to pinch myself sometimes because I’m living in my dream world. 

Everything you do crosses so many different mediums and categories that reflect your distinct passions. For instance, you just did a collaboration with Topps Trading Cards. What’s next? 

The Topps project was such a dope thing because I was such a huge sports card fanatic growing up. It was so cool, and I’m having so much authentic fun because these projects mean so much to me. I like the opportunity to mesh my worlds because I think that’s what’s authentic. I’m doing a project with [toy company] Mattel and Adidas. I’m doing a straight-up Hot Wheels car and a sneaker to go with it, and it’s just a dream come true for me.