Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred “Swish” Griffin.
Swish, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Fred “Swish” Griffin. Some may know me as Fred, and others may know me as Swish. I am a multi-talented creative who aims to create, inspire, give back, and break barriers through the work that I do. I am the owner and head of creative for my brand Swish. I started this brand in college and have since used it to navigate creatively in not only my personal life but through my professional career as well.
Over the past years I used my brand as an outlet to create one-off creations and pieces I felt spoke to me and possibly others. Due to the focus of my career for a while, my brand was merely a hobby and a way to have an outlet creatively. This was until covid hit and much like the rest of the world, I had a ton of time on my hands. It was during this time that I decided to take my brand to a place I had never taken it before. Fine-tuning my skills and creative vision I created pieces during the pandemic that got the attention of many. One of which is still gaining the attention of many and was even recently featured in a list by the Memphis Flyer of the best things about Memphis.
This creation I speak of was the “Penny Pink” Memphis Tiger Inspired basketball shorts. I have always throughout my life been an athlete and a follower of the world of sports. During the pandemic, the city of Memphis was still buzzing about the crazy news that Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway was the head coach of his alma mater the Memphis Tigers. As someone who grew up watching the Tigers and going to games and camps, I was just as excited as everyone else.
To backpedal a little, I was also coming off the heels of assisting Nike with one of the first big releases to commemorate Penny’s journey to coaching and what truly inspired him.
At the time of assisting with this collaboration, I was working for Nike in Memphis as a Marketing Specialist. My primary focus was grassroots activations and community involvement from the brand. These activations were mainly focused on highlighting Nike’s activewear and allowing local trainers to host workout classes sponsored by the brand. All attendees from these events would thus get an opportunity to shop at Nike at a discounted rate (40% off). I began to gain much success from these events and before the pandemic, my classes would average upwards of 50-100 people per class. This resulted ultimately in over half a million dollars in sales.
I said all this to say, that this factor combined with the success of my projects with Swish began to catch the attention of the right people. One of these people just happen to be someone for Nike who was playing a key part in the creation of the Penny Hardaway “Memphis” Pack. This pack consisted of the Air Penny 3 & the Air Foamposite One. These two sneakers, two of Penny Hardaway’s most successful sneakers, would be made to commemorate what inspired Penny the most. The Air Penny 3 “Do It for Dez” was made to honor his late friend, Desmond Merriweather, aka Dez, with a special mismatched design. The Air Foamposite One “Memphis” was made to commemorate the city and the parts of Memphis that inspired Penny the most. The opportunity to be a part of the creative team that brought this project to life was inspiring and just the fact that I was even considered and then asked to assist gave me the confirmation that creatively I was on the right path.
Fast forward back to the pandemic, and I was much like everyone else isolated and shut-in. I still however felt the excitement of the Tigers and creatively still had the high that was knowing that I had just assisted in the creation of not one, but two Nike sneakers. This led to me beginning to drop several pieces during the pandemic that would be successful. I would release graphic tees just about every other week and they would sell out every time. I then decided I wanted to take it a step further. I had to create something different, special, and unlike anything, anyone had ever seen.
The idea of shorts came from what was inspiring my fashion most at the time. Seeing that I was isolated I resulted to mostly tees and shorts as my everyday wear. I’ve always been a lover of vintage and because I was trapped in it, I picked up an obsession with online shopping for it. Yes, even during a pandemic I was ordered clothing to wear haha. My collection of vintage basketball shorts got crazy and then one day it just hit me that I needed a Memphis pair. I searched high and low and couldn’t find any good ones. Thus, the idea was born that I needed to just create my own. I had to have a pair of retro vintage University of Memphis Tigers Shorts and since I couldn’t find them, I got to work creating them.
This process took months of sampling and trial & error but eventually, I got the design just how I wanted it. I needed one more flair though and thus determined I needed to add color. After playing around with several different colors I settled on Pink. Not only because of how amazing I felt it looked but out of support for Breast Cancer Awareness. I had the bright idea that I needed to shoot a commercial. I reached out to one of my most talented friends who just happen to be a videographer and we shot a short commercial that would go viral and result in these shorts being one of the biggest hits ever in the city of Memphis!
Coming out of the pandemic I continued to push my brand creatively by dropping more successful pieces and continuing my brand’s growth. However, career-wise I shifted paths from Nike to working in the NBA for my local home team, Memphis Grizzlies. I saw this as an upgrade, and an opportunity to push myself creatively. I began working for the Grizzlies in Live Entertainment and later in Marketing & Promotions. Thus far I’ve assisted the Grizzlies in multiple successful creative projects and activations. The most notable and latest is my creating the implementation of the sneaker culture within the inner workings of the franchise. I’ve done this for the Grizzlies by curating several sneaker activations; orchestrating the annual inclusion of local Memphis sneaker show “Sneakfest” (which is now being held at the Grizzlies’ FedEx Forum), and creating a sneaker podcast show that would highlight player worn sneakers, fashion, and the sneaker culture throughout the NBA. I also was able to assist the team with incorporating a local Memphis all girl’s league “She Got Game” into their youth basketball program. My hope as I continue my career is to be able to continue to assist other teams and corporations in creative projects such as these that help maximize their abilities. Hopefully also the inclusion of myself and my brand.
Lastly, I recently just hosted my latest project for Swish which I called “Sneak & Link”. As I continue to grow as a designer and an all-around creative, I wanted to push myself into hosting branded events. Sneak & Link hosted by Swish was born out of my obvious love for the sneaker culture. At this event, I allowed attendees the opportunity to bring their own sneaker and customize it right there on the spot. Attendees were able to do this all while enjoying a DJ and a full bar. To execute this event, I collaborated with the local Memphis sneaker cleaning and repair shop Snkrr Bar. This event was also fully sponsored by T-Mobile and was done in honor of assisting children in need of back-to-school supplies. All in all, this event was a success, and we were able to give over 250 children supplies, along with their teachers. I recently also got invited to host this event at Oklahoma State University for the students on their campus.
Moving forward my goal is on continuing to grow as a creative and accelerate my brand to even higher levels. I would love to create more, collaborate more, and have more doors open based on my God-given abilities. In my eyes, I’m just getting started!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
NO INDEED! The road has not been easy, but I’ve continued to push through. It seems I’ve always been somewhat of an outsider and different than the rest when in certain spaces. My largest struggle has probably been dealing with the way my creative thought process is accepted. Meaning that because I may be forward-thinking or the one to think outside of the box oftentimes I may be seen as the oddball or have my confidence mistaken for cockiness when truly I’m just being myself. Not being afraid to embrace who I am and let my talents speak for me has been a skill that has helped me through this. It took me a while to learn how to deal with this. It is something I’m still very much working on even to this day. However, I know that the key is not being afraid to be myself, betting on myself, and letting that guild my work.
I currently live by three things. A scripture my mom has told me since I was a child, “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me” Philippians 4:13, a saying my father has told me since I was a child, “Never Put Off For Tomorrow What You Can Do Today”, and a quote from the late Virgil Abloh, “Life is so short you can’t waste even a day subscribing to what someone thinks you can do versus knowing what you can do.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of my accomplishments thus far.
They push me to want more! I feel that I’ve been able to do some great things in my life and career so far that many haven’t. I’ve had success as an entrepreneur with my brand, which has made me most known for creating the “Penny Pink” Memphis Tiger Shorts. I’ve worked for both Nike and Adidas doing creative activations, assisting in designing two sneakers for Nike. Not to mention the projects I’ve worked on for my home NBA Team, the Memphis Grizzlies. I’m nowhere near where I ultimately want to be, but I think that is what truly sets me apart from the others. My ability to let the work speak for me. My ability to create and continue to grow to do what I love on higher levels.
My ability to continue to strive to set my personal bar higher and higher!
At this very moment what is making me the proudest is the love I’m beginning to receive for my work. It’s not about that for me, but it helps in times when things get tough. I was recently just selected as an honoree for the Class of 2023, 20 under 30 for Memphis’ own Memphis Flyer! This accomplishment defiantly is my proudest to date!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is creating and being around the things that inspire me to do so.
My family, friends, sports, fashion, and music are among some of the many things that assist me in my daily inspiration. If I’m able to create while being around my passions and making a difference for myself, my family, and others then I’ll always be happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: Stepbackswish.com
- Instagram: @swishgriffin
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-griffin-3567b2bb/
- Twitter: @swishgriffin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPOIA9MXWNRXzulVRrzz8Q
Image Credits
Clyde Sims, Jr. (MadebyGlyde), Brandon Dill, Lexi Ross, Joe Murphy, Alexander “Dro” Phillips, and Avalon6ix
