Meet Ed Fernandez & Brian Jones of Organik Clothing, Our Featured Designers for February Tell us a little bit about you two: We are cousins from New Jersey - "the armpit of the US". Ed: My wife Aimee and I packed up our bags and moved west to Hawaii in 2001. Brian: I moved to Washington in the spring of 2007.

What inspired you and your business partner to start designing eco friendly clothing?
Ed: Living on the Big Island of Hawaii being surrounded by nature and how proactive people are in protecting the ecology. I love surfing and wanted to create organic surf wax, but I ain’t no chemist so that ended that big idea. I love cool graphic printed tees, so that’s what rung a bell. I developed the name ORGANIK a few summers ago. Brian & I were driving to meet up with rest of the family in Cape Cod, MA. I shared my vision with Brian and he was on board with Organik after the family vacation. Cool thing is that our dad’s were business partners when we were kids. 
Brian: When Ed talked to me about Surf Wax, it went in one ear and came out the other. A while later we went on a vacation that lead Ed and I into a long conversation about dirty beaches and how the environment was being invaded by pollution. The conversation lead to Cool new graphic tees that companies were putting out. That’s when Ed and I put everything together and came up with “Organik Clothing”. Ed asked me if I had the skills to design, I said yes. I asked Ed if he had the business sense, he said yes and we agreed that we would proceed with Organik (all in one car ride).

Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in?
Ed: Brian is an amazing graphic artist. He snowboards & skateboards as well. I surf and play guitar.

Your line shows a clear love for the environment. What other things inspire you?
Ed: I used to work in the environmental health field. It sucks when my California friends can’t surf after it rains because their eyes start burning and they get staph infections.
Brian: I’m inspired by the young people out there who starve and have a hunger to succeed because I know how it feels. When I say succeed, I don’t mean being wealthy, but reaching certain personal goals in your life that you’ve always dreamed of. It would feel great to reach my personal goals knowing that I’ve left my mark in helping others and the environment we live in.

How did you get into working with t-shirts? What other types of mediums have you worked in?  
Ed: Brian can answer this one. I’m no artist, I like style.
Brian: Like Ed said earlier, he had a great idea w/ surf wax, but we wanted to do something together that  we would BOTH be dedicated to and would  keep us Happy. I love arts in all mediums and hold major interest in music. As far as “Graphics” , I’ve worked in many different mediums. I started a career working for a Brand Design agency, primarily in Print Design. The person who owned this company was the person who started/created  Nutrition Facts Labels. This in itself drew me in to Print Design and it was very inspiring to work for someone who had such an impact on the world. I later worked for a Chocolate Company in New Jersey as  a Graphic/Packaging Designer. This company was the company who started Turnover Chocolates in hotels throughout the U.S. I’ve even had my fair share of supporting troops around the world by designing Military Challenge coins. It feels good to know that I’ve made some kind of impact and hopefully built others morale.

Do you work out of your home or do you have a studio? What type of equipment do you use for the process?
Ed: Kona, Tacoma & Honolulu. Apple & Adobe rules our home offices!
Brian: The process starts w/ the shirt. The shirts are produced with the environment in mind, even the printing is as eco-friendly as possible handprinted locally with waterbased inks.

What has been the most difficult thing so far about starting your own line?
Ed: Time.
Brian: Time is always a major factor. Ed and I have many things going on at one time, but we always make sure that we put enough time into Organik. We’re so proud in what we do.

Whose work do you admire?
Ed: I like RVCA & Obey. 
Brian: Not much of a mainstream designer  but a huge fan of recycling and vintage shopping. Artists I’ve always admired are Milton Glaser, Andy Warhol, and Bob Dylan.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Ed: Open your eyes and look around. The view from my place is amazing., a volcano on one side and ocean on the other. 
Brian: I find inspiration in all the places I’ve traveled and the many great places I hope to see in the future. Keeping in touch w/ other designers and constantly learning every day.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market?
Ed: Charge it and don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Brian: Learn from others, understand your OWN style, and let your creative talents emerge. Never hold back and when you stumble or somebody throws negative energy towards you or your work,  don’t get down, learn from it, and move forward.

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
Ed: To be bigger, be part of a more greener solution and to expand to Europe & Japan.
Brian: Hopefully open a Small Store of our own in the very near future, and eventually expand internationally . As the company grows, I hope to see more people supporting our cause and enjoy wearing our product.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into?
Ed: Denim and cut & sew pieces.
Brian: I agree w/ Ed. I love the fact that you can find a pair of favorite jeans that could last a lifetime if “made right”

What current trend would you like to see go away?
Ed: Mullets
Brian: Skinny Jeans (especially on guys), plastisol inks, Abercrombie &Fitch, Hollister, and the rest of ‘em.

If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be?
Ed: Vintage Martin acoustic or Fender telecaster. 
Brian: “The Piano Man’s”  Grand Piano. Billy Joel was an idol when I was a little kid and inspired me to play for eight years. I wish I dedicated a little time into playing more.

What was your favorite fashion item growing up?
Ed: I loved my Ocean Pacific OP stripe tube socks and Vans.
Brian: “Chuck Taylors”.

You can find Organik Clothing at the following locations.

Archive of Past Featured Designers:
Miyuki Ott - August 2007
Seed Clothing - September 2007
Moxie & Oliver - October 2007
MishMash - November 2007
Tarah Prater Designs - December 2007
Effie's Heart - January 2008