Doctor KA

Red Light Off: The dealine is looming! …On a gloomy Wednesday I decided to walk towards west campus to find an interesting new interviewee. I was feeling a bit under the weather but pushed through it, as I searched through the many students passing by. I was lacking a bit of faith, until I noticed a stylish man chatting with his friends. So there I went towards the large group resting on the grass and proposed a chat…


Jacket with gold buttons from la bamba (from friend), Bell bottom jeans $4 from St. Vincent de Paul, Button up polyester shirt $1, Boots from friend, Ring from friend, 70’s hat from dad

--“Almost everything is a gift”--

Red Light On: Julian Marcelin, an English Creative writing major, is no ordinary CSULB student. The Carson native exudes originality with his 70’s style and musical persona. Marcelin’s mother initiated his love for this era, known for its laid-back hippie culture and disco grooving artists. “She gave me the 70’s and music, I give her the 70’s when I leave the house.” Some of his favorite musicians include James Brown, Roy Ayers, and Sly Stone.

These soulful musicians have inspired his way of dress and encouraged his light spending. Economy friendly thrift and vintage shops are where Marcelin collects most of his hip threads (along with generous retail working friends who hook him up with freebees). La Bomba (off 4th Street), Rewind, and St. Vincent de Paul (off PCH), top the list of preferred second-hand stores. Where not only affordable but give an opportunity to find authentic attire.

Although more of an 80’s trend than the 70’s, Marcelin’s can’t live without item in his closet is a light blue Adidas speed suit. “I call it the Doctor KA-stume,” he says. In case you were wondering who this character Doctor Kemet KA is, Marcelin broke down his creative counterpart to deliver to you. “It’s actually a revelation of sorts,” he says. Each name has a special meaning; Doctor refers to someone who is educated in the ways of the mind. Kemet is an ancient Egyptian word meaning soil and the word for the people, or “things of the earth,” and Ka is what he informed as the ancient Egyptian concept of destiny or “things of spirituality.”

As a man who delivers individuality, he believes that people should dress as they see themselves. “Whatever you’re doing, try to look like what you think you look like,” Marcelin says, “Don’t just let yourself become some fashion anomaly, choose to be the fashion anomaly.” Be yourself in all aspects no matter how simple or complex that might be. His tips for finding clothing are easy to follow, “Keep it cheap, why spend money on something that you’re gonna spill things on, if you’re having a good time.” This is definitely relevant to those party-going college students, so keep up the good times and shop smart!



Photos/Written by: Alexis Sparks