You really don’t want to miss this!

Believe.

Our new venture, of which we will be exploring and expanding over the next few months is a features section. We will be interviewing some of the most exciting movers and shakers around the UK, along with some special but not necessarily commercially recognised people.

We will be featuring artists, musicians, bands, retail stores, individuals, and keeping the focus on THE BEST OF BRITISH. Features will go live on the 1st of every month.

I hope you enjoy what we’ve got in store for you, feel free to re-post interviews, providing you send us the love back with a return link. If you’re interested in getting involved in guest feature writing then drop us an e-mail to one of us on our CONTACT page. RISE out.

Featured so far:

Trousers London (www.trouserslondon.co.uk)

Phantom Limb (www.phantomlimbmusic.com)

HUSH (www.hushstudio.blogspot.com)

Mini Viva (http://www.miniviva.com/)

Dan Mumford (http://www.dan-mumford.com/)

Waste (http://www.wasteyourself.com/)

Hot Chip (http://www.hotchip.co.uk/)

Mark Jenkins (Fat Seagul) (http://www.fatseagul.com/)

Chris & Tibor (http://www.christibor.com/)

No-One Store (http://www.no-one.co.uk/)

Supremebeing (http://www.supremebeing.com/)

Resurrection Store (http://www.resurrection-online.com/)

Paul Sid / Retreat (http://www.retreatstore.com/)

Liverpool’s largest independent clothes store Resurrection have created quite the name for themselves. After getting in touch, we got a chance to sit down with Rob Pritchard and find out from the owner himself, just what’s going down over there!

Whats your name, where are you from and what do you do?

My names Rob Pritchard and I own and run Liverpool’s largest independent - Resurrection with my wife Lisa. We stock a vast and varied mix of brands including Carhartt, Lee, Zoo York, Merc, Converse, Onitsuka Tiger, Fly 53, Fred Perry, Religion, House of the Gods, Amplified and too many others to list. About 110 in all. We also stock a massive range of men’s and women’s vintage.

Ace, I personally can’t get enough of vintage and good ol’ Fred Perry but what’s Resurrection’s story, and what was the drive to make it work?

I founded Resurrection in 1988 when I was a student at Durham University. Originally it was a small stall that I used to run at the Student Union building once or twice a term. I’d take £100 on a good day and that seemed like an awful lot of money at the time as I was always broke. It was originally a purely vintage offering and stayed so in fact until about 2000. I started the store because I needed to make some money. I already loved scouring the charity shops, boot fairs and jumble sales for clothes for myself. One Easter holiday I decided to buy a bit extra so I could sell it on. I had some really cheap places I knew about and the initial stock cost about £40. It was a big gamble because that was pretty much all I had.

My father had died a couple of years earlier and my mum wasn’t in a position to bail me out if it all went pear shaped. After I graduated I carried on with the markets. I borrowed £700 off my sister and brought a really inappropriate old Land Rover to move stock around in. It leaked and stock often got ruined. It also drove like a tractor and did about 12 miles a gallon on a run. I soon paid her back although she still goes on about how she helped me out. In 1991 I opened a stall which was about 8 foot by 12 foot in the Quiggins Arcade. My Mum really helped me out in the early years by working on the stall when I was away buying or doing other markets. She became a well known figure herself on the Liverpool scene during these years and all kinds of people still ask about her. She still did odd days in the shop up to 4 years ago.

Over the years it increased in size and by the mid 90’s was making me good money. Lisa joined me in 1996 when we got married. Her input really helped move things on as she had a formal sales training and she also proved to be an excellent womens wear buyer. This isn’t why I married her though - when I met her I thought “what a Hottie”, and I still do now. In the last 4 years we’ve moved out of the Quiggins Arcade as the inner city development forced its closure. The move into primary retail space really was a big risk but it didn’t take long before we were making a big hit.

That’s quite a history! But what were the customers saying? Within the area, how well was it received at first?

Our first “big” store was at 25 Bold St. It was 3000 sq ft and seemed enormous. We opened that in 2006. We were in it 2 years before we’d outgrown it and now we have an 11000 sq ft store at 17-19 Bold St. The store’s always been popular. Even when it was a tiny stall in the Quiggins Centre we’d attract all kinds of customers - high profile bands and actors, young professionals, old professionals, students, normal people, Norwegians, all sorts. We’re definitely not corporate and people get that about us and believe in us. We also do things the wrong way sometimes just to see what happens. Like me buying that rubbish Land Rover all those years ago. We say it’s the Resurrection way. The staff play a big part in all this. I let them do their own thing as long as they are productive and don’t hurt anyone.

In terms of product we sell whatever I think people will want. I always aim to buy things that people will get pleasure from owning and wearing. I still get excited when I find amazing product, whether it’s something I would personally wear or not. Having such a varied customer base allows us to stock a really eclectic mix of brands and product. I still like to work on the shop floor when I can and have a lot of contact with my customers. I have so many regulars they alone could keep the business going. Some have been coming in for nearly 20 years. I’m only 41 so that’s nearly half my life.

When I select items from a collection I think in terms of buying for these guys. These guys are aged 9 to 70 so it gives me plenty of scope. Obviously with the brands we stock we appeal mainly to the 15 to 35 year olds, but there really is so much more. I find it hilarious when someone comes in who we’d have loads of things for, but for some reason they get overwhelmed by the offer and walk straight out again without really looking. It happens about twice a day when I’m on the floor. I get a real buzz when someone comes in and I think “now here’s someone we can’t possibly have anything for” and yet they get what’s going on and start finding things, or better still they start to get into stuff they didn’t even realise they would like. This happens a lot and gives me a real buzz. I feel like the store’s really made a contribution to their life.

What is it that you love about your area, do you have a big sense of pride in the locality?

I love Liverpool. I’m originally from Warrington which effectively should make me a second class citizen in the city, but I receive very little abuse.

My family were all originally from Liverpool and I grew up absolutely in love with the city. When the city was a real mess in the eighties I was so biased I still thought it was an amazing place. I love the people here, I love the scene, I love the architecture. I find it hard to fault the place.

I don’t like all the Smack Heads. Apart from that it’s a fine place.

Damn smack heads! So, what have you got going on at the moment, any interesting projects for 2010?

There’s always stuff going on. We like to do a lot of collaborations with local bands and artists. In-store gigs, photoshoots, exhibitions, that sort of thing. The web sites quite a big thing at the moment. It’s been live now for 4 months and we are shipping all round the world. So far this week we have shipped to New Zealand, Isarel, Germany and Russia and it’s only Wednesday. With the web site we will be carrying on the Resurrection tradition of not following the rules. I take notice of them, but then I think it’s best not to be restrained by them. For example, we have done the smart thing and attended Ecommerce courses, contracted an Ecommerce marketing company and taken on someone with lots of web experience, so that we have all the essentials in place. Now it’s all working and making money we can start to have some fun with it. There’s some funny stuff hidden in there for people to find. Just mischief at the moment but we’ve got the time now to really go to town on it. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from our on-line customers and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved so far. I didn’t think I’d be able to get my head round it so quickly being a bit of a techno phobe, but I like systems and some would say I was borderline autistic. It stands me in good stead for a lot of things in business.

You sound like quite the natural business man but for people interested in starting up an independent retail venue what would you tell them? What do you wish you’d known back when you first opened?

I knew absolutely nothing when I started. I think that’s good because you have to work out your own way of doing things. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone. They’re probably best working it out themselves.

So there is hope for the clueless entrepreneurs! But for you personally, what have been the absolute high points of the store?

Each time we expand and it works is a massive relief, if not a high point. Jared came in when he was hosting the MTV awards in Liverpool last year. He bought over £1000 of gear and loved the place. It didn’t mean that much to me at the time because I didn’t know who he was, but I really buzzed off the fact that although he was a very wealthy Hollywood star he homed in on the basement which is the part of the store that really reflects the origins of the business. It’s where all the Moddy/Indie gear is as well as the men’s vintage and he spent nearly an hour down there looking at everything. Every time someone finds the basement for the first time and really appreciates it, it reassures me that despite all the expansion over the years, we haven’t sold out. We’re still true to our roots, and what’s more people like what we’re doing

It’s Febuary now, the new year has barely begun but what do you want to have accomplished by the end of this year?

I want the website to be fully established and turning over good money. I always want the store to be the best it can be, so that goes without saying. I’ve been toying with the idea of opening a store in another city for years. I’m always put off by the fact the Liverpool store may suffer as a result. I’d rather have one brilliant store than two good ones. At some point it would be interesting if I thought I could have two brilliant stores, but we’ll have to see if that’s this year or not. I certainly won’t be sitting still anyway.

So, it sounds like Resurrection know exactly what’s on, and what to where whilst doing it. Kudos to the Pritchards for the epic creation of the Resurrection store.

As I was browsing the National Geographic website, I found this little nugget of photography gold:

Farmer carrying his eleventh child, Dingle, Ireland.

Note To Self: Get to a Dublin car hire right now and travelling to meet this dude. Also, get a pipe.

Photographer Annie Griffiths Belt has a great collection of photos on her website. Her style is so vibrant and colourful. Whether she’s snorkeling or braving the snow she goes from length to length to capture these amazing pieces. All doing this whilst maintaining an epic sense of style. This woman has it nailed!

Trousers London are playing host to one of the most anticipated events of this busy fashion period. ‘Denim Garden’ will be themed around exactly that, and will run from the 13th Feb which is the start of the tradeshow period, through to the 28th the end of LFW.

The exciting pop-up will feature both a shop and an exhibition. The entire Trousers London men’s jeans collection will be on sale including their latest offerings – Trousers 8 and 9. All jeans are made from raw Organic denim and to ensure their exclusivity, every pair of jeans is given a unique ID number, ensuring each model is a limited edition to treasure!

‘Denim Garden’ will also house an installation of collaborative projects showing the work of local artists including video projects, photography and art. Artists include Mario Mendez whose recent work was seen in Italian Vogue and Sebastien Pons who has worked previously with Vivienne Westwood during fashion week.

Check this out,

Streetwear brands Diamond Supply Co. and Young & Reckless have teamed up for a limited edition collaboration tee. The concept behind the tee is to represent Diamond Supply Co.’s Nick Diamond’s hometown of San Francisco and Young & Reckless’s founder, Drama’s hometown of Akron, OH, who now both reside in Los Angeles. The biker gang logo theme of the shirt represents that no matter where you are from, if you skate you are part of a international union with other skaters. Throw your flags in the air and wear them proud. Skate 2 Death.

ABOUT YOUNG & RECKLESS:
Young & Reckless is a streetwear brand inspired by Drama from MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory. Drama created Young & Reckless to unify the new age brash generation under a single brand. He captures what it means to be Young & Reckless through his stunts and adventures in the first two seasons of this reality show.

You know they make sense….

Believe.

In admiration of the English mountaineer George Mallory, a group of men form an exploration party in quest of his camera that is said to be left behind on Mount Everest. Each collection unveils a chapter of this adventure. SS10 sees the men set off to get to the foot of their first mountain…

Designed in Japan by keen mountaineer Mitsuo, very little is known about this label. Available in just a handful of select retailers worldwide, ‘M’ is manufactured using traditional techniques in a small workshop in Japan. Natural dyed cotton is washed in the rivers by the workshop and dried under the sun on the riverbeds before being put into production; this ancient Japanese tradition is used by very few designers today. As well as their beautiful design and construction, garments have an element of purpose to them; the SS10 collection feels just right for a trek in the foothills but equally appropriate for the city too, with integrated backpacks on shirts, heavy cotton shorts and jackets forming the core of the collection.

Seriously, you all need to check out this totally exclusive brand. After popping into Coggles myself and getting the rundown from Mr. Jake Bancroft himself (Men’s buyer) I had to give him the upmost respect for scouting out these beauties. I mean, have you seen the shirts?!?!?! CRAZY.

Check out the Collection at Coggles NOW!

Believe.

A new month and this one has brought about the new Carhartt Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Dropping in stores this month, all over Europe. From plaid to knitwear, denim to chino, Carhartt are making statements and loving our eyes with beautiful clothing for beautiful people.

As always anything in plaid or denim has my attention, but to my surprise I’m ever falling for the knitwear numbers! What will be grabbing your attention this month?

For 5 days only, Goodhood are having a sale with up to 70% off selected brands.

The sale starts today and runs until the end of Saturday…they’re selling like hot cakes so get them now!

Second Son have come out swinging with this year’s Spring/Summer collection, and we can bring you a little taster of what to expect. The collection  is comprised of T-shirts and Oxford shirts accompanied by selvedge denim jeans and the new Second Son chino.

Today we bring you some teaser shots of the new tees and shirts. Mixing things up a little, Second Son have taken the traditional pocket tee and added a shirt pocket in an entirely different patterned fabric, complete with purple button and flag label. Both tees are clean cut and simple in design, but the addition of the patterned pocket turns a classic tee into something pretty special.

Second Son have followed on from their successful Ticking, Deerhunter and Spitfire shirts with their new Oxford shirt. Again, choosing to play with traditional designs, the shirt features a two-tone pallet, with a darker blue cotton on the cuffs, shoulder and hem, and of course, the trademark purple cuff and top buttons.

The full collection (including the selvedge denim and chino) will be available at Second Son stockists from the beginning of April.

From [thedailystreet]