Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Elle Brotherhood

Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Elle Brotherhood

  Elle is a photographer and facilitator who works documenting creatives and independent companies. We chatted to her about community and always learning - she also gets involved with set design and art direction and runs workshops from her studio in Stockport. What does creative flow look like to you?My personal work is usually based around conversations I’ve had. Then there’s the chats with studio buds which always helps support, inspire and makes me laugh. Being surrounded by people who love being creative and chatting about random things also helps massively. I may take a walk around Stockport and put some tunes on and take photos with my film camera. If I’m feeling stuck I’ll wander down to Rare Mags and get some magazines. This often sparkssomething. When I’m getting down to personal work in the studio I’ll put some incense on, some tunes or a podcast and get to gathering new images, print things out and get painting. Tell us about a recent / upcoming workshop you're hosting.I’ve started Photo Walks around Stockport that happen once monthly. In these walks we can talk about where each person is at with their photography. We chat about settings on the camera but my main objective is for people to think about their own style. What do they like to take photos of? What inspires them? Then we’ll wander around Stockport, with all of it’s facets and take alook around. What’s the most memorable campaign you've worked on / why?I’m really thankful that I’ve worked on the Beaumont Organic seasonal shoots for the past few years. We’ll often go to a beautiful location that they’ve sourced and spend a few days photographing their latest collection of clothing. It’s always been a dream of mine to shoot on location abroad and last year we went to Portugal and shot for 2 days. To photograph in the sunshine is something else and makes a change from the climate we get in Manchester! Saying that I feel like all of the campaigns I’ve worked on are memorable.It’s all about the team and I learn something from each of them. What do you love most about the community around you?Our studio is based in Stockport, we set up our business here 5 years ago and ever since then I’ve fallen for the buildings and the people of Stockport. There are so many characters and I often take a walk through the town to gather inspiration. There will always be some random conversation with someone that I don’t feel you get in other areas. The community is so creative and a lot of us started our businesses with little funds and that’s why when you come to Stockport you’ll get people working on something they really believe in. We all want to grow the community in a creative way and are always looking to connect withpeople and share any knowledge we may have. I’ll take a walk around the Old Town and pop into all of the shops and can have a good chat with the people in there and everyone is always so welcoming and funny. That’s what we need in the place we live right? What’s next in your personal work?I recently did a sale online of reasonably priced original painted prints, it was the first time I’d sold a bunch in one go! I’m going to continue with the idea of masking parts of the image with paint. It’s quite graphic and also focuses on the form of the objects. I enjoy looking at the design and craftsmanship of an object so I’ll be focusing on accessories, plant life, furniture and will throw some body parts in there. I think making personal work also helps develop my commercialwork. I’m always looking to learn and progress. You can view more of Elle's work here https://www.onthebrink.studio/about-elle, she's wearing the Peak to precinct tee in Grey

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Who are you? - Morgan Barfield

Who are you? - Morgan Barfield

A relatively recent arrival here at Hikerdelic, Morgan somehow still isn't sick of us greeting her each day with the hilarious phrase "Guten Morgen". Or maybe she is, but is far too polite to admit it. Content creation is her bag, with an emphasis on photography. Consequently she's one of the only people we know who can consistently flash in public without being arrested. Who are you? Morgan / Mo What do you do? I cover all things content for Hikerdelic Where are you from originally? I was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Bristol What does a normal day look like to you? I usually start by checking the Hikerdelic dm's before shooting or plotting content for whatever releases or projects we have that week / month.  Where is your favourite place in the outdoors? I love the Striding Edge circular on Hellvelyn in the lakes, that's probably my favourite hike ever but also Edgeley reservoir where I walk my dog-child because I like meeting his dog friends there and chatting with their owners. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Teleportation Favourite Hikerdelic item? Ceramic mug twin pack which are my favourite mugs they're such a good size, and I love the Sporeswear designs from this season. When did you first hear about Hikerdelic? My boyfriend bought the check puffa from last season and wore it all winter, that was my first intro to the brand. Tell us a joke. A plateau is the highest form of flattery What is the third to last picture on your camera roll? Show us. My pup people watching Do you want anyone to follow you on social media? If so, where can you be located? Sure, come check out my my photography @morganbarfield

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Who are you? - Tom Kristopher

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

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Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Gareth Batowski

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

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Hikerdelic Inner Circle: Stockport Fungi

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

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Rain and Renaissance - Hikerdelic hits Italy

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. 

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Florence awaits - Hikerdelic at Pitti Uomo

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.

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