Here's the interview with Janine Gibbons, the mastermind behind Wicked Lester Clothing:
Q: What inspired you/when did you decide to start making clothes?
A: When I first started it was down to lack of clothing I liked being available to me in shops. I could never find what I wanted and if I did the prices were always through the roof, so I decided to make my own. Music has and always will be been an influence when creating.
Q: What are your favorite bands?
A: The fav bands is always a hard question, haha, but Pantera, Aerosmith, Ghost, Judas Priest and King Diamond are some of my top most played.
Q: Where does the name "Wicked Lester" come from? I know it's what early Kiss used to call themselves, but how did you land on it? Did you have other names?
A: Yes early KISS of course, when studying I always imagined Wicked being in the name my brands, sketchbooks. I always liked the way its sounds. Once reading a KISS autobiography I knew that was the name.
Q: Do you remember the first piece you ever made?
A: The first piece I ever made was for myself, it was a Motley Crue ‘Girls Girls Girls’ bodysuit.
Q: What inspire you when you make a piece of clothing/collection? How do you develope an idea to an actual piece. Do you draw first?
A: I don’t draw i just imagine something in my head, and make a start, the idea develops as i am making a piece. Depending on what I am listening to, the materials I am using and so on. I find I feel most creative in the evening, and especially at night when thoughts are whirring though my head. I usually visualise a few pieces in my mind before falling asleep and then bring them to life the following day.
Q: How much time do you spend on making clothes?
A: It depends on what I am making sometimes something can be made in less than an hour sometimes days.
A: When I first started it was down to lack of clothing I liked being available to me in shops. I could never find what I wanted and if I did the prices were always through the roof, so I decided to make my own. Music has and always will be been an influence when creating.
Q: What are your favorite bands?
A: The fav bands is always a hard question, haha, but Pantera, Aerosmith, Ghost, Judas Priest and King Diamond are some of my top most played.
Q: Where does the name "Wicked Lester" come from? I know it's what early Kiss used to call themselves, but how did you land on it? Did you have other names?
A: Yes early KISS of course, when studying I always imagined Wicked being in the name my brands, sketchbooks. I always liked the way its sounds. Once reading a KISS autobiography I knew that was the name.
Q: Do you remember the first piece you ever made?
A: The first piece I ever made was for myself, it was a Motley Crue ‘Girls Girls Girls’ bodysuit.
Q: What inspire you when you make a piece of clothing/collection? How do you develope an idea to an actual piece. Do you draw first?
A: I don’t draw i just imagine something in my head, and make a start, the idea develops as i am making a piece. Depending on what I am listening to, the materials I am using and so on. I find I feel most creative in the evening, and especially at night when thoughts are whirring though my head. I usually visualise a few pieces in my mind before falling asleep and then bring them to life the following day.
Q: How much time do you spend on making clothes?
A: It depends on what I am making sometimes something can be made in less than an hour sometimes days.
Q: Do you get many custom orders?
A: Yes, lots. I have to stop opening up from them from time to time, as I have done now. I love creating customers ideas but, in order to evolve I need to be able to focus on my own new ideas.
Q: Where do you get all your amazing material for the clothes? Or is that a secret? ;)
A: I spend so much time sourcing my fabrics, I never buy from a single given place, the internet and local fabric stores.
Q: Do you only wear your own design? What do you wear on a everyday basis?
A: When working I tend to wear leggings and an oversized hoody, I need the comfort as I can be rolling around on the floor pattern cutting one minute, then outside spray painting the next. I always wear Wicked Lester when i go out, whether it be gigs, shopping or festivals, paired with the highest platforms I can find.
Q: Has "Wicked Lester Clothing" became more of a lifestyle than a hobby?
A: Since starting Wicked Lester it has always been a full time thing. I quit my previous job in management to go into Wicked Lester full steam ahead. I took a risk and it paid off. I have worked so hard this past year and grow everyday. I truly believe that when taking a creative path its all or nothing.
Q: Do you work alone, or do you have a side kick? People with ideas to pieces?
A: All me.
A: Yes, lots. I have to stop opening up from them from time to time, as I have done now. I love creating customers ideas but, in order to evolve I need to be able to focus on my own new ideas.
Q: Where do you get all your amazing material for the clothes? Or is that a secret? ;)
A: I spend so much time sourcing my fabrics, I never buy from a single given place, the internet and local fabric stores.
Q: Do you only wear your own design? What do you wear on a everyday basis?
A: When working I tend to wear leggings and an oversized hoody, I need the comfort as I can be rolling around on the floor pattern cutting one minute, then outside spray painting the next. I always wear Wicked Lester when i go out, whether it be gigs, shopping or festivals, paired with the highest platforms I can find.
Q: Has "Wicked Lester Clothing" became more of a lifestyle than a hobby?
A: Since starting Wicked Lester it has always been a full time thing. I quit my previous job in management to go into Wicked Lester full steam ahead. I took a risk and it paid off. I have worked so hard this past year and grow everyday. I truly believe that when taking a creative path its all or nothing.
Q: Do you work alone, or do you have a side kick? People with ideas to pieces?
A: All me.
Model Dani Devine in a Wicked Lester Motörhead bodysuit and Hot Cocoa in Wicked Lester Mötley Crüe pants.
Q: What else do you do? Work, school?
A: I help promote a local heavy metal club night ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ where I podium dance and proudly wear Wicked Lester with some gorgeous ladies.
Q: What's your goal with this line? Near future plan?
A: Spend time growing and working on new ideas, everyday is a fresh start and who knows what I will have in my hands by the end of that day. I want the business to grow and for people to spread the word. You CAN afford one of a kind heavy metal inspired clothing. I always aim to create unique pieces, no two are the same, that goes for custom orders. Each piece is totally individual and I want to keep it that way.
Q: Who would you like to see in your clothes/designs?
A: Everyone who adores heavy metal music.
Q: Describe your perfect/favorite outfit?
A: I love a good pair of leather look pants, the kind you can really move in and wear practically. Teamed up with a heavy studded lace up top and super platforms. A girl can never have enough studs or mega heels.
Q: Biggest thing accomplished yet?
A: Just getting to where I am today, I am so proud of how far Wicked Lester has come in the past year. I am extremely thank full to everyone who has supported myself and Wicked Lester. Things can only get better from here.
Q: Your all-time favorite piece you've made so far?
A: I recently made a super studded bodysuit for myself as a treat, I almost always wear bodysuits on a night out, they are so flattering and sexy. But with each piece i fall in love over and over again!
A: I help promote a local heavy metal club night ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ where I podium dance and proudly wear Wicked Lester with some gorgeous ladies.
Q: What's your goal with this line? Near future plan?
A: Spend time growing and working on new ideas, everyday is a fresh start and who knows what I will have in my hands by the end of that day. I want the business to grow and for people to spread the word. You CAN afford one of a kind heavy metal inspired clothing. I always aim to create unique pieces, no two are the same, that goes for custom orders. Each piece is totally individual and I want to keep it that way.
Q: Who would you like to see in your clothes/designs?
A: Everyone who adores heavy metal music.
Q: Describe your perfect/favorite outfit?
A: I love a good pair of leather look pants, the kind you can really move in and wear practically. Teamed up with a heavy studded lace up top and super platforms. A girl can never have enough studs or mega heels.
Q: Biggest thing accomplished yet?
A: Just getting to where I am today, I am so proud of how far Wicked Lester has come in the past year. I am extremely thank full to everyone who has supported myself and Wicked Lester. Things can only get better from here.
Q: Your all-time favorite piece you've made so far?
A: I recently made a super studded bodysuit for myself as a treat, I almost always wear bodysuits on a night out, they are so flattering and sexy. But with each piece i fall in love over and over again!
I've had nothing but pleasant buys from this brand. Janine is super nice, and makes awesome stuff! The web shop is easy to use, and got a lot of other facts and info. A custom collaberation is fun, and whatever you're imagening, she'll try to make, and you get your own awsome piece with your favorite band/musician/movie - as long as it's rock and metal, and no mainstream crap ;)
PS! Don't forget to check out her 10 piece collection that will be released this Friday, 10th of January, at 7PM (UK time) >www.wickedlester.bigcartel.com<
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