Last week I reported on my visit to Camden and why it has deserved its reputation as ‘quaint fashion capital of London’. Even better, I wrote about Fashion Meets Music (FMM) a social enterprise determined to make the fashion business more accessible for new designers. Hopefully you took my advice and headed over there and got yourself a bargain.
This week I am writing about DTML, a unique brand with a distinct and special statement, and I get talking to the one very exceptional lady behind it to find out why her brand is not only distinctly urban but carries an underlying message which people can relate to.
Ms Kinky Locs is founder and creator of ‘Don’t Touch My Locs’ a brand that has been over a year in the making. The big question I had to ask of her was knowing what challenges exist in the fashion industry what made her decide to start up her own unique brand and go at it alone? Looking at her she pauses for almost a serene moment before pointing to her hair where lustrous natural locks flow without a hint of extensions. “I got fed up of strangers so intrigued by my locs touching them without permission, I felt they were coming into my ‘private space’ as I wouldn’t go up to a stranger and say ‘Oh, I love your bottom and touch it!’” We both laugh; she has a point.
Looking at the logo, you can see that the ‘O’ in Locs is changed; to some people it almost looks like the letter ‘E’ to the point where you could be forgiven for thinking the logo reads ‘Don’t Touch My Legs’. It is only when you look closely you realise that it is in fact the ‘Gye Nyame’ character which is from the Akan symbol, meaning for ‘except God’ this is entwined with African heritage / UK roots. “I wanted something that represents me and feel the logo is a strong statement. I hope it’s something that everyone can connect with in one way or another…to some the ‘Gye Nyame is a pretty or clever image used in place of the letter ‘O’ to some it is a deeper meaning that they should not feel awkward in telling others ‘Don’t touch My Locs!’”
“I have not seen anybody utilising the Akan symbol(s) in the same way i.e. on the high street incorporated into Urban wear.” She explains. I have met people with Locs that said they wish they had a t-shirt that said what they really wanted about warding people away from touching their locs! I love the fact that this is an abundantly clear statement. A young boy came into the pop-up store in Camden & was of Ghanaian heritage, he saw one of the snapbacks (baseball caps) and wanted one. His Father went on to tell me his Son was keen to have the cap because he’d never seen a baseball cap with something he could relate to that wasn’t ‘Americanised’ for example with New York labelled on it! This young boy pointed out the brand is unique!
So who is the brand ultimately targeted at? “It’s for every body and anybody that simply likes it! Fashion is what the individual perceives or makes it for their own pleasure. The brand is very much unique and I hope it gives people that ‘extra’ pep in their step, clothing that provides that ‘feel good’ factor. My aim is to provide you the customer with quality clothing and I purposefully want to make it accessible to all.
So what does the clothing range consist of? Well looking at the stock I saw a range of Heavy duty quality Cotton T-shirts for Men, Women, Unisex Varsity Jackets, Baseball caps, long sleeved tops and Strong Canvas bags. However, pointed out the aim is not limit the range to Urban wear only…
What is next for you I ask her, I was told that this brand exists solely online and is in effect ‘made to order’. Kinky Locs explains “I aim to hit Natural Hair exhibition at The Westminster College on the 6th April 10am till 5 pm.”
So there you have it, if you are tantalised by the style, if you want to wear clothing that is not only fashionable but carries a message – drop Kinky Locs a line at:
dtml96@yahoo.co.uk
For more info on the clothing email:
dtml96@yahoo.co.uk
Photography by Active 8 Images
www.active8images.com
and Julie Vaccalluzzo
Models:
Anastasia May
Luke Yohn
INFECTA – Alika
Max Bennett
Want to see more – check out the showreel below
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