Young Mission Talent: Ron Perez of Dirty Pigeon

Daniel Mondragón is a local photographer who grew up in the Mission. We asked him to select and photograph his  favorite Mission artists. In the first installment of his series “Young Mission Talent” we take a look at Dirty Pigeon Clothing, a very Mission shop opened in 2013.

Ron Perez, 28, opened Dirty Pigeon Clothing at 24th at Potrero two years ago with his brother John.  He designs all of his shirts, caps and sweatshirts.

Daniel Mondragón: Thoughts from a Mission native?

Ron Perez: Being born and raised in the Mission is very unique, and 24th Street is the last part of the Mission that still has most of its local roots. Mission culture represents, history, values , traditions, heritage… Everything.

DM: Influences?

RP: My clothing is mostly influenced by what I saw others wearing when I grew up in the 90s. Dirty Pigeon designs are one-of-a-kind. The shirts embody a skate culture attitude. Everything I create is a direct byproduct or influence of my surroundings as well as the people I come into contact with. My clothing would not be what it is today if my experiences had been different.

Dirty Pigeon screams independence and it promotes shopping locally. Ron and his brother John want to keep the circulation of goods from local artists strong.