Sunday 2 June 2013

Label love: A chat with Alex of These Folk



I am so excited to feature the fabulous Alex of These Folk. Alex kindly agreed to answer a few questions about herself and her amazing brand. If you love the above Four For You Glen Coco or Regina You're Wearing Sweatpants tee, go check out the website and grab one while you can. Who wouldn't want a Mean Girls tee? I definitely do!

1. Tell us more about the face behind These Folk (who you are, what you love)
The face behind These Folk is me, Alex. I lived in Wales for uni for the last 5 years and recently moved back to London when I started These Folk. I think what I love comes through in These Folk: cats, floral things, men with beards (yum) and fashion! I've started my own little side blog project at These Folk blog so you can actually SEE the face behind These Folk :)

2.Where did These Folk start off?
Well I graduated from Photographic Art a few years back and somehow fell into a career in insurance. After a long time of having an 'early life crisis' about my job and the fact it was nothing to do with arts, crafts... fun, I one day quit! Then I had another little panic about the fact I just quit my job! After I calmed down I sat and thought what do I really want to do? These Folk came from that - it all started off as hand painted tee's and jumpers and then when I started getting too many orders I had to start a digital collection, which developed into what These Folk is now!

3. Harry Potter, Mean Girls, Facial Hair! What/who else is your inspiration?
I'm not sure, as I mentioned it's just anything I love! Weird inspiration the other day, a blogger tweeted about how she was stuck in the library with no makeup on etc and the only redeeming feature was her These Folk jumper. I joked about how I should do library lounge wear to her and I then actually played around with a few things and have a new design! (here's a little sneak peek)

4. Cady, Regina, Karen or Gretchen - which one would you be?!
Haha, that is an amazing question - Karen definitely! Who wouldn't want to be able to tell if it's already raining with their boobs? That's a true gift!

5. What can we expect to see next from These Folk?
I'm looking to develop the brand a bit more with accessories, I've been looking into floral snapbacks... adding girlie to ghetto! I would also love to make items myself out of bold and crazy fabrics, but I might have to invest in a better sewing machine first.... and learn how to pattern cut and make clothes!

6. Any tips for creative folk looking to start their own business?
Do it! I know everyone says that but it really is that easy. These days with selling platforms like Bigcartel, Etsy, Folksy, it's so easy to list your items and get going. Also you don't have to pay out for promo to get noticed, just become a social media addict! Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, I'm so surprised at the opportunities I've had through people finding me on them, I got myself into stores through them seeing my items on Instagram etc, it's crazy!

I hope you enjoyed Alex's answers as much as I did, and a massive thank you to the lovely Alex :)

19 comments:

  1. as someone who runs their own business (and constantly finding it difficult), this has given me a burst of motivation. I need to step out of my bubble and read interviews like this to remember why i do what i do. This was lovely to read!

    (ps. Oscar is an exotic shorthair. If you do a search on Instagram for the hashtag #exoticshorthair, you'll see lots of other cuties too! i'm obsessed) x

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    1. I'm so glad you feel inspired by this post - when I read Alex's answer to that last question I too felt motivated and inspired. I'm forever saying I will start up a Facebook page or something to try and start a business, and forever putting it off. I hope this is the push we all needed :) thank you for the Instagram tip - off to simultaneously ooh and ah over adorable cats!! xx

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  2. Those t-shirts are amazing! Checking out the store as we speak! I'm thinking of doing my own business, it might not happen any time soon but in the future! xo

    http://prettypetticoats.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. You should definitely start up your own business - who knows what might happen :) let me know if you do lovely. The t-shirts are awesome aren't they haha, I just can't decide which one I love best! xx

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  3. I want that Glenn Coco top so much! ahhhhh! xxxxx

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    1. Me too!! I want them all so much haha :) xxx

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  4. wow, great post and pics! Ur blog is so nice, I think I will be here more often - I'm your new follower and I'm waiting for more posts!


    Don't forget to check out my blog & facebook page & youtube channel!

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  5. They're so cute! My friend would love them! xx

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  6. Hahah these are AWESOME!!!! Omg I want to order one in every colour, starting with the 'you can't sit with us' tee, genius!!!

    xxx

    lifeisroyalty.blogspot.com

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  7. ps I'm so going to watch mean girls again now hahah

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  8. Haha I want a Mean Girls tee! I've never heard of the brand before but I love how unique the tees are! xxx

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  9. haha love the tees! they are really funny!
    very nice blog by the way :)

    kisses from Russia,
    Juliet
    RUSSIAN DOLL

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  10. that gleen coco shirt is awesome! i love it and i wish i had same <3
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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  11. Loved this post Hannah! It was so inspiring & motivational, I'm having a similar 'early life crisis' at the moment too, so I get exactly what she means by just 'do it', even if it is scary! I love the 'you can't sit with us' tee, genius! :D

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  12. This is so cool! I'm going to check out her site. I love Mean Girls and the quotes from there are some of the funniest and clever-est. It's always so inspiring to hear how people run their own business- wish I could do that someday, too! :) xx

    P.S. I'm never sure where to reply to people's comments either but I think you're right that people probably don't notice unless we reply on their blogs.

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  13. oh my goodness, want everything in her store! especially the glen coco tee :D lovely interview xxx

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  14. Love those tshirts, checking out that store.
    Thanks for your comment.
    Now following you!

    darlingsophie.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. Haha, I love the 'you can't sit with us' tee!

    Corinne x

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  16. I'm so glad I've seen this post I love their 'COPIOUS CATS' TEE definitely going on order as soon as!

    Charlotte xx

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Thanks for your lovely comments! I try to reply to them all :) x