Part 12 - Weekend Offender x
"Steak & Eggs" x
"No-Nonsense" x
"Too Much, Too Young" x
"ADMIT NOTHING" x
In 2004, two fashion entrepreneurs from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales; Sam Jones (Co-Founder/Director) and Rhydian Powell (Co-Founder/Friend), naughtily descended into the wonderful world of Subcultures, via their gloriously artful, firmly tongue-in-cheek, aptly named designer label, Weekend Offender.
Jones, being a former member of Cardiff's Soul Crew, already had the Football Casual look/nous for the vision/design, whilst having his own clothing store to boot, in the form of A2, that features strongly in Merthyr town centre and formerly Soho (its Sister store; closed now, due to the heavily hedonistic lifestyles, of all who had a stake/frequented!).
Initially, blank T-Shirts were printed locally and labels would be sewn in at home, alongside Rhydian, who had previously studied Graphic Design.
Anthony Rivers (former Soul Crew member); a close friend/partner of A2 and a Football Casual/general Subculture Connoisseur, (Co-Author Soul Crew/Magnetic/friends with the likes of Irvine Welsh/Alan McGee), who had helped out with earlier blueprints, placed future designs in his Merthyr business, TheArchives0927, including a commisioned piece, specifically based upon his legendary time, as the Landlord of mega cult venue, The Mountain Ash Inn (Bez, Goldie Looking Chain, Svengali et al).
Aaron Thalmann, former owner of Golddigga, also became a Director of the brand, whilst Richard Evans became their PR Agent; Former Fashion Editor for FHM and Front, propelling the brand even further into the Subculture stratosphere.
From Australia, to Ibiza, capsules of the label's clothing were placed on the worldwide market, via Trade Shows and the brand absolutely exploded - Category A (Older Customers/Casual Connoisseurs, alike will remember the former designs), in particular.
Music, Football, Fashion, Film.
Terraces, Pubs, Clubs.
Vital vices in people's lives, in what is dubbed as "Broken Britain".
Its insignia is modelled upon the HMP Services Emblem, as Sam's Father was in Prison and he took inspiration from his Father's issued bag.
The label's name stems from a 60's newspaper headline "Bank Holiday Offenders" - Mods & Rockers, fighting it out, on Brighton Beach.
From Breakdancing, to "Dressers/Dressing", to Acid House; thrilling Cultural Movements, that bloomed into something ultra special -
Weekend Offender invests into all of that, combined.
Modern Society are now the "Wild Ones" at the Weekend and the label is a staple rogue/roguette uniform, for having "insubordinate" fun and generally wreaking havoc.
If you're going to get arrested, at least be seen in arresting clothing!
Functional/Technical. Mixing up smart Textures/Embroideries, with hidden Elements/Messages inside, to appeal to the eternal buzz of the Subcultured Casual.
Casual Connoisseur, Spirit of 58, A Guy Called Minty, Kent Combs, Dreierhopp, Leo Gregory, et al, have all collaborated, thus far and the brand has also sponsored the likes of Boxer, Kerry Hope.
Always return to your heritage and roots.
For every court in a storm.
For every Weekend Offender x