Control Chaos has become part of the everyday scenery at WS. The brand permeates the hallways, the bold lettering making an appearance across the sweatpants or peaking out from the edge of a skull cap. It’s challenging to look anywhere without spotting a piece from this brand, started by senior Yohannes Zelalem and his close friends.
“It’s definitely motivating to see everyone wearing the pieces. It pushes me to keep going and it inspires me a lot,” said Zelalem, reflecting on the sheer number of students purchasing his pieces.
Part of what draws students to the brand is its uniqueness. It’s not just clothes, it’s a culmination of pieces that resonate with many.
“I like their designs and I also like supporting local businesses.” said junior Hammad Jewhar.
As Control Chaos continues to grow, its owners are working hard to reach a wider audience while keeping its original style intact.
“We have more of an Arabic niche right now because that’s the first thing we really released but we are trying to transition into more of a broad style so more people can purchase our clothes and be comfortable,” said Zelalem.
What once started as a passion for fashion and a simple idea shared between friends now feels like a defining part of the school’s style. The brand has earned attention not only for the look, but for the creativity and determination behind it.
However, as the brand grew, so did the level of commitment. Running a business brings a long list of responsibilities and doing so while in school is no easy feat.
“Being a student has a lot of obstacles, especially with managing my time. But at the same time, because there are so many people that support me, it is a perk,” added Zelalem.
Although Zelalem struggles with balancing his business with school, his previous experience with a past brand makes it easier to handle.
“I’ve always been into fashion and clothes. I ran my old brand, Styckostar, by myself around two years ago so rebranding into Control Chaos wasn’t that hard,” said Zelalem.
Looking ahead, there’s still plenty of room for Control Chaos to continue growing. Zelalem has goals that stretch beyond the school environment. Whether the brand expands into stores, events or larger collaborations, the future is something he can clearly picture.
“I definitely want to take Control Chaos much bigger than it is. I want it to be more of a lifestyle thing and just go into bigger communities. As long as I put the work in, I see it becoming a long term career for me,” said Zelalem.
New designs are already in development for Control Chaos, and Zelalem is excited to release some new pieces.
“We are now working on a long sleeve thermal. A lot of people are really showing support for it in our social media. Though I would appreciate everyone to not just show support but also purchase it,” added Zelalem.
With the success of Control Chaos, Zelalem has gained a perspective that many young creators look for. He has a clear message for other teens who are ready to build their own brand.
“If you really do want to start your own brand, you have to work for one to two years to make some money first. Owning a brand is not cheap and if you want it to be successful you have to invest in it. So, no money going back to you, you should put everything back into the business.” advised Zelalem.
For now, Control Chaos remains a reminder of what can happen when a small idea turns into a shared vision. Every time a student walks into school wearing the prominent logo, it reflects the ambition and creativity behind its dedicated owners.
