So starts my series of interview features of
independent creatives - the brands, musicians and artists that don't get the support they so deserve, because they don't have a bottomless marketing budget.
I've made no secret of my love of streetwear (I will be dressing like a teenage skater until I'm 60), so when the lovely Karl, founder of one of my favourite independent brands
PercyCute agreed to a feature, I was pretty delighted.
The streetwear brand creates unisex tees, tanks, sweats and jackets, with totally unique prints, sketched and designed by the man himself. Sometimes controversial, but always a conversation starter, it's streetwear for those who aren't afraid to make a statement and stand out. Let's get on to the questions...
How did it all
begin for Percycute?
I have been a taxi driver for the past 20 years and in
this time I have always drawn even while waiting between jobs in my
taxi. My sketches became more intricate, so much so that people would
get in my cab to see what I had been drawing. Many times people asked
why I was driving a cab when I can draw like I do . So about 7 years ago
I decided to go back to college to study graphic design. I graduated 3
years later and then decided to try freelancing my skills as an
illustrator, within this time I was getting more requests to provide
t-shirt designs for other companies. After a year of this I decided
maybe I should produce my own garments with designs on that did not
conform to other peoples briefs, basically use my own imagination to
produce what I wanted to produce, without limitation. The name Percy
Cute comes form the word persecute which means to oppress as I felt I
oppressed in my skills for such along time that the name suited the company I was starting.
You're designs are
seriously original, where do you find your inspiration?
The inspiration for the designs come from everyday experiences and my
imagination - most of the designs have hidden
meanings especially the intricate ones . Although I do find people see
completely different meanings in them, as I tend to use objects to
portray a feeling or word which are associated to the title of the
design.
My favourite
design is 'Spaceman'.
Do you have an all time favourite?
My favourite design is my gorilla really its a self portrait , if you
look at him he’s slightly moody with a could not care less attitude.
 |
| Karl's favouurite design, the 'Gorilla' |
Streetwear is so
huge right now, how will you make sure that Percycute stands out from
the crowd?
I'm never concerned about what other companies do, but I do appreciate
others work and my favourite brand are
Hubert & Calvin . I don’t
look to stand out, I look to produce the artwork that I love and put that
on a garment and hope that makes me more appealing than others. The
designs are all limited editions, I only make 30 of each design before I
re-draw, change or retire the design.
Your brand is
brimming with attitude, who would you love to see rocking your
pieces?
I have had a few celebrities wear my designs but I suppose I would
like to see Zayn Malik wearing them, and I know this sounds
bizarre, but watching his desire for his artwork really hits home with me
and of course he has a massive following. Sportsman wise, obviously Mr
Beckham would be amazing and I would love Pharrell Williams to shine in a
few.
What's next for
Percycute?
Next on the agenda are caps - a few alternative cap designs along
with the expansion of full all over prints. As for the company, the aim
is to get the brand in as many independent shops as possible and make
the general public aware of what we do .
I certainly can't wait for the introduction of caps, I'm a huge fan of a good snap back. Until then, I've picked out some of my favourite PercyCute pieces...
Be sure to visit the
PercyCute website and check out this awesome streetwear label's social media channels:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
Stay tuned for the next installement of the next installment of the 'Creatives' series.
Gems x
