In conversation with:Funk'd Freedom founder By E.J
On an early evening in November I met the founder of the innovative clothing brand Funk’d Freedom. Diana Baptiste-Young. This is what she had to say
Intrigue: Tell us about the person behind Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: Well, I am 25 years old currently working for a London based Japanese company. I decided to set up Funk’d Freedom because when I graduated from university I went down the conventional route of working the Monday to Friday 9-5 Job. I wanted to do something different that spread a message. I wanted to spread a message of freedom, and I thought that t shirts would be an easy way to spread a message.
Intrigue: What is Funk'd Freedom?
Diana: Funk’d Freedom is a brand of T shirts that aims to spread a message of freedom. I tried to think what images represent freedom and the ways in which we use our freedom. The mask Image was designed to show that we as individuals wear a mask disempowering ourselves and displaying a false persona. I also thought of the idea of us being puppets on a string, wearing a uniform that and restricting our own sense of freedom.
Intrigue: This is a very interesting idea, so when did you come up with this concept of Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: I came up with the concept of Funk’d Freedom in June of 2006, at this time I felt like I wanted to break free from corporate structure.
Intrigue: So Funk’d Freedom is relatively young then, so do you feel that your brand has made a difference to the fashion industry so far?
Diana: Well to be honest it has not had the impact that I hoped it to have on the fashion industry as the very message that I hoped to message has become so ingrained in peoples minds that it was so hard to break that. I also faced difficulties with the retail buyer and it has been very difficult to break that barrier. As a result of this I have now set up another venture on the back of Funk’d Freedom called Facshion which is an exhibition/tradeshow that will allow up and coming designers to showcase their designs at an affordable rate.
Intrigue: This sounds very exciting, we will get more information about that later on but going back to Funk’d Freedom. In your description of freedom you say “We can break free from the hand which controls the strings that keep us moving in uniform with no direction of our own” Explain this and how it relates to what you are trying to do with this brand.
Diana: I mean that we are like puppets on a string and we wear this mask that is not a true representation of ourselves. With Funk’d Freedom I wanted to show that we can break free from the constraints and express ourselves individually.
Intrigue: Diana there are so many T shirt brands out there what makes your brand of T shirts so unique?
Diana: Funk’d Freedom is unique because not only is it a fashion brand it aims to spread a positive message. The T shirts are supposed to be a statement of individuality.
Intrigue: Have you had good feedback so far from the T shirts you have sold?
Diana: yes I have had good feedback I have had a few celebrities sporting them on TV so I am happy with that
Intrigue: You say celebs? Can you spill the beans?
Diana: Well, Angie Lemar was one of them and Dionne from X factor also wore one of the T shirts on MTV.
Intrigue: That is fantastic, now briefly tell us about your other venture Facshion?
Diana: Well Facshion is a venture that I am currently working on with my business partner Luke. It is an exhibition/tradeshow that will allow up and coming designers to showcase their work without breaking the bank. I faced many roadblocks with Funk’d Freedom one of them being that it was far to expensive for a designer to showcase their work at big tradeshows and even when I did I found that the retail buyers had so much say in what goes on to the shelves that I found myself running into brick walls. Therefore I decided to set up my own exhibition and this is exactly what I have done.
Intrigue: Tell us when the show is taking place?
Diana: 16th and 17th February at the Music Room all info can be found out on the myspace page which is www.myspace.com/Facshion
Intrigue: Before we go tell us where we can find out more information on Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: You can go to the myspace page which is www.myspace.com/funkdfreedom
Intrigue: It has been a pleasure talking to you Diana, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to Intrigue Magazine.
Diana: Thank you
On an early evening in November I met the founder of the innovative clothing brand Funk’d Freedom. Diana Baptiste-Young. This is what she had to say
Intrigue: Tell us about the person behind Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: Well, I am 25 years old currently working for a London based Japanese company. I decided to set up Funk’d Freedom because when I graduated from university I went down the conventional route of working the Monday to Friday 9-5 Job. I wanted to do something different that spread a message. I wanted to spread a message of freedom, and I thought that t shirts would be an easy way to spread a message.
Intrigue: What is Funk'd Freedom?
Diana: Funk’d Freedom is a brand of T shirts that aims to spread a message of freedom. I tried to think what images represent freedom and the ways in which we use our freedom. The mask Image was designed to show that we as individuals wear a mask disempowering ourselves and displaying a false persona. I also thought of the idea of us being puppets on a string, wearing a uniform that and restricting our own sense of freedom.
Intrigue: This is a very interesting idea, so when did you come up with this concept of Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: I came up with the concept of Funk’d Freedom in June of 2006, at this time I felt like I wanted to break free from corporate structure.
Intrigue: So Funk’d Freedom is relatively young then, so do you feel that your brand has made a difference to the fashion industry so far?
Diana: Well to be honest it has not had the impact that I hoped it to have on the fashion industry as the very message that I hoped to message has become so ingrained in peoples minds that it was so hard to break that. I also faced difficulties with the retail buyer and it has been very difficult to break that barrier. As a result of this I have now set up another venture on the back of Funk’d Freedom called Facshion which is an exhibition/tradeshow that will allow up and coming designers to showcase their designs at an affordable rate.
Intrigue: This sounds very exciting, we will get more information about that later on but going back to Funk’d Freedom. In your description of freedom you say “We can break free from the hand which controls the strings that keep us moving in uniform with no direction of our own” Explain this and how it relates to what you are trying to do with this brand.
Diana: I mean that we are like puppets on a string and we wear this mask that is not a true representation of ourselves. With Funk’d Freedom I wanted to show that we can break free from the constraints and express ourselves individually.
Intrigue: Diana there are so many T shirt brands out there what makes your brand of T shirts so unique?
Diana: Funk’d Freedom is unique because not only is it a fashion brand it aims to spread a positive message. The T shirts are supposed to be a statement of individuality.
Intrigue: Have you had good feedback so far from the T shirts you have sold?
Diana: yes I have had good feedback I have had a few celebrities sporting them on TV so I am happy with that
Intrigue: You say celebs? Can you spill the beans?
Diana: Well, Angie Lemar was one of them and Dionne from X factor also wore one of the T shirts on MTV.
Intrigue: That is fantastic, now briefly tell us about your other venture Facshion?
Diana: Well Facshion is a venture that I am currently working on with my business partner Luke. It is an exhibition/tradeshow that will allow up and coming designers to showcase their work without breaking the bank. I faced many roadblocks with Funk’d Freedom one of them being that it was far to expensive for a designer to showcase their work at big tradeshows and even when I did I found that the retail buyers had so much say in what goes on to the shelves that I found myself running into brick walls. Therefore I decided to set up my own exhibition and this is exactly what I have done.
Intrigue: Tell us when the show is taking place?
Diana: 16th and 17th February at the Music Room all info can be found out on the myspace page which is www.myspace.com/Facshion
Intrigue: Before we go tell us where we can find out more information on Funk’d Freedom?
Diana: You can go to the myspace page which is www.myspace.com/funkdfreedom
Intrigue: It has been a pleasure talking to you Diana, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to Intrigue Magazine.
Diana: Thank you
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FAVE FASHION WEBSITES
Check this website out if you love shopping for vintage clothing guys its fantastic!
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This aint just a website its a chain of shops throughout the UK but it's great if you want to find cheap clothes with an eco friendly twist.
Check out the website to find out more info on where you can find your nearest store..
www.traid.org.uk
Check out this site if you love one of pieces, you want quirky and different?? Then Joy is the place to be!!!! Their website is currently under construction but they have several stores in and around London. Check out the site for your nearest store.
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