The Hatman meets…the strange clothing co.
Hello and welcome to the first in a series of what I’m calling “the Hatman meets”.
My new website is almost upon us, and it will be a fusion of all things cool about UK independent clothing brands, grooming product manufacturers and barbers!
My mission is to create a ‘movement’ in which we all start to support the smaller more personal brands and move away from the ‘big’ high street brands that are monopolising the fashion industry.
The small indie brands are all hard working, passionate, and very creative people, whether they’re designing capsule clothing collections or toiling over cauldrons of wax and oils to create that perfect blend to make exquisite beard oils, and moustache wax.
My first interview is with the designer, creator, illustrator, photographer, head of marketing, packaging and PR (he pretty much does it all!!) of the newly formed ‘street wear’ label that is strange clothing co…Patrick Currier
Firstly we need to discuss the man behind the product, then the product itself…trust me it’ll all make sense in a few minutes!
Patrick is not only all of the above for his fledgling apparel company (it was literally born in May 2014…still wet behind the ears!) but unsurprisingly for a man who oozes creativity, he’s also the frontman, guitar playing , vocalist , and songwriter for the brilliant (and somehow unsigned!?…really??) Red Crow.
In fact, if he wasn’t such an affable chap…you’d probably hate him!
From a music point of view just check out this video they shot for “City Riser” it’s just brilliant!
I defy you not to be humming along for the rest of the day!
Patrick speaks with a distinct American accent.
He explains “I was born in the UK, my mother is English and my dad was an American Airman”
At a young age he moved back to the US and spent a good 10 years in California, then Oklahoma, then Boston…and then back to the UK.
Quite a journey.
“My heart is here in the UK, my time in Cali was great, I loved being a kid there, wasn’t sure if it was Cali, or just that I loved being a kid!…and still do!”
When asked what he meant by that, he simply explained that kids have no inhibitions with their creativity, anything goes, he went on to explain that from a young age he had the desire to become a great artist.
“I guess I have no inhibitors in my brain!”
Patrick is clearly a passionate guy, his brain is whizzing and like me, sometimes he’s thinking so fast that his words can’t catch up!
When asked what he was most passionate about, his music or his clothing brand he answered quite simply “Music has it’s hooks in me,I can never let go”
Pre Red Crow his interest in music wained, he found solace in illustration.
At first he says he used to draw for himself, then after some rave reviews designed a couple of t-shirts for bands, and even did some cartoon strips and became a creative illustrator for huge brands like Dr.Pepper.
So to sum him up…he’s a brilliant singer songwriter, fantastic illustrator, creative genius (childlike genius he calls it!) and in my opinion…he’s a bloody nice bloke too!
All this at the tender age of…(now here’s the funny bit…) “My age is a closely guarded secret” he laughs…”my age is irrelevant, I find people are too quick to judge you if you’re from a certain era”….
You disliking him yet?…
He’s actually right, as stated in one of my earlier posts, age is just a number, your own style shouldn’t be defined because you are of a certain age.
What is relevant though, is that Patrick says that he gives value to any creative thought.
So you can pretty much guarantee he’ll put everything into it, he’s driven and has incredible self discipline.
“When I’m drawing a design I know how far to go with it, when the tweaking stops and I’m 100% happy with the final article.”
This can be seen below, where you will see one of his designs from start to finish, from pencil sketch, ink version, to final T-shirt.
incredible detail…and yes that really is Billy Huxley modelling it!!
What about the name “Strange Clothing Co.?
“It’s dark and ridiculous”…his sense of humour is coming through.
Dark due to the nature of some of the designs, skulls, Octopods, rams heads…a bit of gothic horror influence?
He’s certainly a fan.
Ridiculous?
Take the ‘Octopod’ design for example, Patrick explains that his influence came from late 19th/early 20th century posters about amazing creatures that nobody actually ever saw or probably ever even existed…all just from someone’s imagination!
again check out the amazing detail in the design, through to the finished article!
Actually funnily enough the first thing Patrick designed was the logo, which again has an explanation for the font and style used.
“I wanted the logo to look like the writing you’d see on the old travelling salesman carts that used to sell all kinds of crazy medicines and elixirs to the unsuspecting townsfolk in the old west”
Told you…very active imagination!
“nailed it though!”
Patrick knows where he wants the brand to go, he’s already designed the next collection, he’s introducing more products too, including accessories, hats and leggings.
The beauty of buying from a great indie clothing company like strange clothing co
Is that you probably won’t bump in to at least 10 other guys wearing the same top as you in a pub!
“All designs are limited in number, I’ll retire some them to make sure I keep the brand fresh.”
“If you order before June you even get a limited edition numbered ‘Octopod’ print”
“you’re not just buying a shirt…you’re buying art”
Love it.
Look at some of the other amazing designs on offer…
Not forgetting the ladies…
Patrick wants to create a definitive range for girls too, he’s already working on funky ‘tie dye’ t shirts and leggings…
When asked what do you want to achieve with the brand, Patrick answered…
“Loyalty, from genuine fans of the brand”
Then came his best quote yet…
“It’s not about being creative, it’s about having the vision, that’s more important”
Amen to that!
Now you’ve read about strange clothing co.
Click the link and get buying!!
Just look at the beautiful package you will get!!
Big thanks to Patrick, love the brand.
Look out for more from me over the next few months when I’ll be reviewing more amazing UK indie brands!
Until next time…
At least my beard is better!
Stay safe and keep it indie!!
New Look Menswear AW14 collection.
Hello again friends
So once again I find myself fortunate to have been invited to yet another New Look press event.
This time is was all about their new AW14 collection.
As per usual whilst down in London I took the opportunity to go to Murdock of London for a nice beard trim!
The event started at 12pm and was running until 8pm, so even with the added joy that yet another tube strike brought, I was sure that I would be able to hit the shops, and still head over to the event with plenty of time to see everything.
Carnaby Street was once the centre of British fashion…
Among the British heritage brands like Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Dr Martens and Lyle & Scot you will also find super brands like The Kooples, Evisu, True Religion and more…
Back in the 60’s though it was a different matter, instead of the big monopoly brands, you would’ve had one off little boutiques selling the latest in ‘mod clothing’ that every respecting guy in the swinging 60’s needed to be seen in.
It hasn’t lost it’s identity or it’s appeal though, you just need to venture off the beaten track a little and see that the new breed of British ‘street wear’ brands are moving in.
Abandon Ship and Drop Dead Clothing offer great graphic print products, accessories, and quirky pieces that you won’t find in the high street giants.
Then at one end you have one of the most iconic buildings in London…Liberty’s of London
At the event then…
I have to say that, I walked in to New Look’s press room and almost had to pinch myself!
Not only did the press room look like a high end boutique, they had one of
London’s premier DJ’s playing some incredible tunes (Joy Division , Stone Roses and pretty much the rest of my iTunes playlist!) but, and this is the best bit…the product looked absolutely amazing!
New Look menswear have been on a journey…two years ago,it’s fair to say that their range was a bit uninspiring, pretty basic and not at the pinnacle of fashion.
Back to now…
I can’t really put in to words how far they have come, how good their product is and what their new buyers have brought to the table.
Instead there follows a lot of pictures of their new collection.
I challenge you not to like anything, not to look at it and think “Is that really New Look?”
I was truly in awe of it all, seriously I could’ve blown thousands!
You can see influences from Tiger of Sweden, the Kooples, Prada, Grenson, Christian Laboutin…to name but a few!
Enjoy
some seriously good footwear coming your way!
Everything from the exceptional Double Monk strap shoes, to the sumptuous leather oxfords with the contrast lining, there really is something for every man
Accessories…they’ve got it covered!
Favourite pieces here were the waxed hold alls, the ‘Kooples-esque’ black tote, and even moustache wax!!
It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll, but I like it!…ok maybe it’s a bit more grunge inspired, but the product here was amazing, a very well put together look
A bit of Sports Lux, and some of the brilliant digital print t-shirts…and the ‘new’ sweatpants
A bit of ‘nautical’ inspiration here, check out the brushed viscose sweater, and the fantastic denim!
My favourite pieces on the day…
I can’t believe that this is PU!?
Contrast sole Desert boot
New Look or Tiger of Sweden?
Look at the colour of this fabulous mac!
That tote bag! ,those slip on tassel loafers! ,those leather double Monk shoes!…aaaarrrggghhhh!
I pretty much got blown away by the whole event and more so the amazing product.
On what I’ve seen, New Look Menswear will give everyone a run for their money!
Oh, and to top it all off, they’ve got Billy Huxley to model it all for them!…oh how they’ve progressed!
I’ll finish off by firstly thanking New Look for their hospitality and the chance to view AW14, but also to say that you deserve massive kudos for what is probably the best collection you have ever produced!
Until next time…
Peace and love x
The style Viking 