Hikerdelic Journal

Who are you? - Tom Kristopher

As we continue to give you a glimpse behind the brand, today we're going to introduce you to the man behind some of our most recent graphic tees, our little animated social media bits and the office K-Pop enthusiast. Tom is from our native Stockport which is clearly in his favour, though he was born in the Philipines, which means he's not weighed down by a love for viaducts, pyramids or lower league football teams.  Unlike some of the other people in the team, Tom is a morning person, so it probably makes sense that he's first up in this series of short interviews with the people behind Hikerdelic. Here he is as a toddler, looking a lot like a very cool girl. Who are you? Tom Kristopher Camay Galbo What do you do? I don’t know but I try my best (aka Graphic Designer). Where are you from originally? Philippines – Pinoy ako. What does a normal day look like to you? I wake up at 4am to fight the demons in the house before everyone wakes up (demons come out at 3am) and then go to the gym which is a 40-minute walk away. I then walk back home. I take a shower. I take a bus into town to go to a café to read before work. I then work. I then go home. I then am at home so I can sing to myself. Where is your favourite place in the outdoors? Honestly, as I used to just stay at home when I was younger, anywhere is great – but maybe like an open field with an area of trees. Basically, a nice picnic- able field would be ideal. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Teleportation – but if everyone else says this one as it is clearly the only right answer, then being Musically Gifted. Favourite Hikerdelic item? I really like the ‘Khaki Conway Smock’ and wouldn’t mind having it on my desk when I come in the next day (Size XS). But in terms of what I wear most frequently, it would the Cactus Tee in White. When did you first hear about Hikerdelic? Honestly, when I started working here – but in my defence, before I get fired, I never really looked at brands before working here so its excusable. But at least I’m expecting an XS ‘Khaki Conway Smock’ soon. Tell us a joke. I don’t want to, Mark says enough. What is the third to last picture on your camera roll? Show us.    Do you want anyone to follow you on social media? If so, where can you be located? @tomkristopher

Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Gareth Batowski

Gareth can build you anything out of wood and is also one of the founding members of On The Brink Studio in Stockport (we chatted to a few more members too so there's more to come on that). He chatted with us about how he jump-starts his day and how Ash wood keeps him up at night. How do you set up for a good day/ good work environment? The first thing I do in the morning is put the coffee on. I’m an early starter. If I can be in the workshop at 7am, its a good day. The roads are quite and the air is cool – especially on hot days! In the winter it’s different - no one should work in the winter. Peh. But summer time – work like a bee! And after the pot of coffee is finished around 9am, I’m effing flying. The floor has been swept, the previous clutter left from the day before; hung out to dry and the cogs are as oiled as a well oiled machine. In winter its different – no one should work in the winter. So to answer your question: between April-October an early start and a good gulp of fresh air. Between November and March I hibernate like everybody else, with plates of cheese and shepherd’s pie.  What are you working on at the moment? There are always plates spinning. Currently on small wobbly sticks rotating in the breeze are a number of exciting projects. In the workshop is a huge wardrobe 8ft tall by 5ft wide, modelled on an old steamer trunk. You know the ones? There is stuff in the doors as you open it. There are a set of 5 drawers in the doors on one side and the other space for shoes which open up for handing space and more drawers. I could have made a simple box with two flat doors and coat rail inside - but that’s not my style! It’s very technical and very cool. Each door will weight 150kg and is made from beautifully fragrant English felled cedar and poplar. Alongside this I am working on a taproom in Manchester for Balance Brewing And Blending – this is way exciting and I’m putting into place design ideas and textures which have been in my head for years. There will be a wooden screen, akin to stain glass windows found in old pubs, made from a variety of different English timbers. There will be high gloss red, textured walls stained with Yew colourant and buffed, reminiscence of tobacco ceilings or Japanese lacquerware - all framed in raw, sawn English oak. It will be a Blend of a nostalgic feeling with a very real, very modern bar AND there wont be a drop of birch ply or OSB anywhere! Oh and there is a supersonic ground floor project happening along side all this too! A handmade English timber kitchen and room divider for a top chef in Manchester – designing her kitchen of dreams! What drew you to working with wood & what are you looking to for inspiration at the moment? Ever since I can remember I have always worked with wood – my dad was a big inspiration there. We would make model boats, aeroplanes, castles, cars, go-carts, crocodiles, canoes from the stuff and thankfully after eighteen years of the grind - I am still doing it today. I’ve taken an organic route to where I am today – mostly self taught – meaning I have strong roots and resilience with the ability to adapt. The ideas that keep me awake at night currently are looking at and exploring Ash as a timber, using its structural property with its ability to flex massively without snapping. I like this. I dream of different scenarios I could use it in – I am entering a chair into a competition in July 2023 which has a sprung backrest made of 2mm ash strips. So cool! So comfy! Do you have any more workshops lined up / what did you take-away from the last ones you hosted? I have just completed a set of workshops, making stools – this was so much fun. I love meeting people and encouraging them to make something, something they can take home and use and will be with them for years to come. Allowing them to use big tools and machines which can seem daunting because they’re so noisy and dangerous but always in a safe and controlled way. I know they’re safe and controlled but I like people to feel a little uncertain, it wakens the spirit no? The plan is to always host workshops for useable items that people can take home. Next up will be a breadbox – originally it was a three day affair but I have streamlined the experience for a long Sunday with lunch provided. I’m looking forward to this for sure – The finest English quarter sawn oak breadbox. Crumbs! Supersonic! What do you want to create next?  Something special. You can check out more of Gareths amazing work here https://www.onthebrink.studio/workwork and he's wearing the Material Worth tee in Off White

Radio Hikerdelic #8

Tune in for a heady mix of background foot-tappers, sanguine indie relics and outright shoulder shakers.  

Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Stockport Fungi

Stockport Fungi are an urban mushroom farm nestled in the basement of an old coffee warehouse beneath the seasonal and sensational restaurant Where The Light Gets In. In essence, they're where the light doesn't get in. Not only do they kit out their neighbouring restaurants with fine fungi but they are also putting on workshops and have some exciting new projects launching soon too. Anyway we wont spore you any longer, read on for our chat with Alex the founder. What does a good day look like for you? "Everyday with mushrooms is completely different, a good day is opeing the door to the grow room with loads of mushrooms ready to harvest, also a sunny day doing deliveries followed by a workshop which is always fun. actually, any day without contamination in our grain is a good day." Are you working on any new stuff at the moment? "we are developing loads of new stuff, we’ve been experimenting with mycelium as a building and art material which is exciting. We are also launching some new grow kits using lionsmane and pink oysters very soon!" What's the most memorable collaboration or project you've worked on? "Our first workshop at Track brewery. So scary but really fun and led to many more." What's the best thing about your community? "Since we founded Stockport fungi we’ve been working with so many cool and creative people, we’ve built a really friendly network where everyone is excited about mushrooms, its great!" Finally, what's next for Stockport Fungi? "We're developing an educational programme and a range of workshops including at home mushroom cultivation and art workshops. We will also be launching a monthly mushroom subscription." Alex wears the Peak meets Precint tee in WhiteNathan wears the Sporeswear tee in Yellow

Rain and Renaissance - Hikerdelic hits Italy

Twice a year the great, good and downright weird descend on the beautiful city of Florence for a festival of menswear known at Pitti Uomo. It's a long established tradeshow with a real Italian flavour, with legions of pastel-suited peacocks punctuating the hordes of hot, sweaty fashion buyers from around the world.  Brands that make straw hats are there. Others offer swimwear, through the medium of semi-clad models, both male and female. It's as close to the catwalk as Hikerdelic is ever likely to get. This year was also the first time we have found ourselves participating in the event as more than just visitors.  Hikerdelic as a brand has been on a journey this last few years, and showing our SS24 range at Pitti is a bit of a landmark occasion.  Housed alongside the likes of Snow Peak, KEEN, Teva, Yogi and Cotopaxi in an area known as I GO OUT, Hikerdelic stood out for its colour and character.  Old friends called to the stand to say hello and new connections were made, and despite an uncharacteristic downpour in the middle of the week, the atmosphere was upbeat. Those lads posing for pictures though... try that in Piccadilly Gardens.  This is a side to the so-called fashion industry the end consumer doesn't always see. It can sometimes be gatekept away from consumers either because it's not deemed of interest to them, or the industry likes to keep the inner workings of itself a little more mysterious. In this age of content being king, though, we are more than happy to show what we've been up to. Even if you're not interested! Take a look at some of the highlights of the trip and whether you're an industry insider or someone who just likes some of our t-shirts, hopefully you'll get a glimpse at one of the highlights of our year, building a brand and trying to leave our stamp on the world. 

Florence awaits - Hikerdelic at Pitti Uomo

Next week we'll head over to a repurposed Italian fort in the beautiful city of Florence.  For those not in the industry, this is a tradeshow where our 2024 wares get their first airing for those helpful stockists.If this means you, see the info on the flyer below for where to order. UK orders remain with our friends at Brand Progression.

Radio Hikerdelic #7

It's been a while but we're back with another one.   

Radio Hikerdelic #6

Stars in Stripes #3 - Paul Weller

Stars in Stripes #2 - Mick Jagger

Stars in Stripes #1 - Brian Wilson

How High Jacket - Hikerdelic x Tim Burgess - What you need to know

How did it come about? "The question I get asked the most about The Charlatans isn't 'How does it feel to headline a festival?', it's 'Where's the jacket from in the 'How High' video?'" Tim BurgessAnd with that, a collaborative project was born. The ‘How High’ Jacket takes inspiration from a garment worn in an iconic music video, for a song released 25 years ago. Taking the basic design elements from that piece of outerwear, Hikerdelic have brought together something that is both of its time and of this time. It’ll serve you well as weave your way in and out of the festival crowds, and be equally at home as you scale a moderately difficult Peak District hill. Is it decent quality? It's made from 100% nylon fabric, specially chosen for its durability, while a waterproof coating ensures only the more persistent precipitation penetrates it. Despite its rain-repellent qualities, the ’How High’ Jacket is also breathable to ensure maximum suitability for all seasons, including summer. What about that logo? The commemorative logo has been specially commissioned by local illustrator Daren Newman, whose eye-catching work has adorned many a Hikerdelic garment, and more than a few musical projects too. It takes the Hikerdelic Core Logo as a starting point and adds the words ‘How High’ and the number 25 to mark the quarter-century that has passed since the song was released. Remind me... 'How High'? How High was the hit that completed a hat-trick for The Charlatans, following One to Another and North Country Boy into the top ten of the UK charts. What size should I buy? And what if it doesn't fit? When choosing which size to buy, please be aware this is a pre-order and as such, we’re unable to accept cancellations of orders. We’re happy to offer a credit note or exchange, where possible, but please be aware this project works well because the customer understands the spirit in which it was created. With this in mind, we have compiled an extensive sizing chart and advise that if you’re in any doubt about which size to purchase, measure a jacket you’re happy with the fit of and get as close to that as you can.     It's a pre-order, but when will I get it? The estimated delivery date of this jacket is the first week of September. We will issue regular updates via social media on this subject.The sales window for the ‘How High’ Jacket begins 9th June 2022 at 11am BST. It will close on Sunday 12th June 2022.   For any further information, please refer to our terms and conditions.