chef's special: MNKR
quirky attitude. that’s how i would explain these unique tees from MNKR. with fun messages and graphics, these tees stand out and make a statement in a good way. please check out the store and my q&a with one of the designers:
How did you get started creating clothes?
MNKR began very simply. It evolved from two other brands I had started, one purely name-based and the other very nichey. There was a realization on my part that neither of these ventures spoke from the heart and that I needed to head in a direction that did. The medium was a no-brainer. The tee-shirt has always been the easy-to-own, easy-to-work-with, walking canvas.
What three words would you use to describe your current collection?
I’d have to say…fun, personal and eclectic would be the three words that come to mind when best describing our current season. Our seasons are usually pretty random with most of our ideas/designs being inspired by what’s going on in our lives at that point. One of my favorite things is seeing what people take away from what I consider “personal” designs. It would seem that we all relate on one level or another.
What do you think makes your designs different?
There are a few things we believe do set us apart from the gazillion other tee-shirt brands out there. That is in no way to say that we are putting ourselves above anyone else because there are lots of truly amazing brands in our field that were built on big dreams and lots of talent. So first off, we have a very simple style. I’m guessing it’s my lack of any sort of art or design based education that’s led us here. Our tees usually end up with one, maybe two colors and a design base that says what you see is what you get. Secondly, I’d have to say it’s the love. We attach small doses of love to every shirt we send out there. I think people have taken to it.
What do you see in the future for your collection?
As far as our next season goes, there’s definitely gonna be some NYC-based designs – Coney Island, Brooklyn, etc. We’ve recently had an awesome trip to NYC which has led to much inspiration for the future. After that, well the world.
Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer instead of a mass-market store?
I believe people are going to buy what makes them feel the best whether it’s mass-marketed or not. At MNKR we make a product we love. If that inspires someone or makes them happy in any way, then that is why they should be a part of what we do. It’s customers that make MNKR possible. It’s the customers that define us, not us that defines them.
