DJ’s. Composers. Illustrators. Designers. You name it, Hale Zero have their fingers in all the pies. Wonderland catches up with the Haley brothers—Carl, Greg, and Rafael—the creative polymaths the fashion industry has on speed dial.
Ella Bardsley: Hey Hale Zero! What made you first fall in love with music and DJ’ing?
Hale Zero: Our dad had an incredible record collection and a passion for high-fidelity sound. He was obsessed with getting the perfect set-up, so we were lucky to grow up surrounded by top-quality hi-fi equipment and listening to Jazz, Soul, and other timeless records in the best possible way. We’d spend hours absorbing the sounds of legends, from Miles Davis to Marvin Gaye, hearing evernote in stunning clarity. That experience sparked our fascination with sound and music on a deeper level. It wasn’t just background noise; it felt alive. Being around that energy inspired us to pick up instruments ourselves, eager to understand the magic behind the music.
EB: Who and what inspires you?
HZ: Our inspiration is incredibly broad and always evolving. It ranges from legendary record producers like The Neptunes and Timbaland, who’ve shaped entire genres and redefined modern sound, to multifaceted visionaries likeVirgil Abloh, whose boundary-pushing work across fashion, music, and design showed us the limitless potential of creativity. We’re also inspired by the rich art culture in London, from iconic galleries like the Saatchi and the Tate to street art and architecture. Growing up here, we’re constantly immersed in a creative melting pot.
EB:You’ve curated for Nike, Louis Vuitton, Versace, adidas, and more. How would you describe your approach to the sound you curate?
HZ: It’s all about capturing the unique identity of each brand and elevating it through music. We start by immersing ourselves in the brand’s vision for the project, understanding the mood, style, and the audience it speaks to. From here, we craft a soundscape that resonates emotionally, blending tracks and tones that bring a fresh, dynamic edge.
From left to right: Greg wears shirt FENDI; vest AMI PARIS; necklace A SINNER IN PEARLS; ring CAPSULE ELEVEN. Carl wears Blazer & trousers AHLUWALIA; ring A SINNER IN PEARLS. Rafael wears shirt SEVENTH; rings left to right BLEUE BURNHAM, BLEUE BURNHAM, CAPSULE ELEVEN.
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Photography by Barley Nimmo
Styling by Efe Igbinadolor and Gemma Swan
Words by Ella Bardsley
Grooming by Zoe Rubin at Creatives Agency
Fashion Assistant Deji Odumosu