New clothing brands are started each and everyday by people who get the idea in mind that they have an eye for fashion, not many last long. It takes a lot for one to be successful. There are some who go above and beyond to make their designer dreams come true. There are a number of brands who have managed to stand the test of time and have successfully answered the challenge, DAFT! CLOTHING is one of them. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 2010 DAFT! CLOTHING is one of the most notable young clothing brands in the area and shows no sign of slowing down with their exotic view on street wear design utilizing a number of different vibrant colors to match the unique lifestyle the brand promotes. The two masterminds behind the brand took a moment to go over what it’s like to their bring ideas to life and just what inspires them to do so…
Underground Underdogs: So tell me about yourselves? How’d you guys meet and what got you into design?
DAFT! CLOTHING founders Bink Backwood and Ben Danklin
Bink Backwood: I’m yung Bink Backwood.. I design shit you feel me? Shid, I met Ben in the 9th grade on the lacrosse field .. I asked this man why he had some fresh kicks on playing lacrosse.. thought the nigga was crazy but I knew he had some swag [laughs]… A couple months later I started designing shit on my dads computer fucking it all up with designs, sketches, music, whatever but DAFT! had a little buzz before I came along in 2011.. So I knew it was gonna be fire at some point we just linked and ran with the shits.
Ben Danklin: I’m Ben Danklin a.k.a. Big Dank Chain… Founder of DAFT! CLOTHING…Bink story is factual [laughs], I always peeped Bink designing & we linked over music & I knew he would get nicer than he was he just needed somewhere to focus his talents.
What was it like for you guys first starting out? Was there a moment where you said to each other “Man, this could be something big!”
BD: When we first started we were young as hell, making really cheesy designs [laughs], then we gradually stepped our graphics up; but from the minute it started, we knew it would be big. We knew our passions and ambitions would propel itself if we present it properly.
Are there any other artists, living or dead, that have influenced you guys style at all? Or maybe even inspired you guys to begin designing?
BD: Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Curren$y… Dipset started me designing as a youngin’ though.
BB: Pimp C, Redman, Freddy Kruger, villains ‘n shit .. I first started designing cartoons cause i wanted a little figure like the Funk Doctor Spock (Redmans cartoon).
Maxo Kream featured in a custom shirt designed by DAFT!
That’s pretty cool, seems like most of the you guys influence comes from entertainers who certainly set the tone for style in one shape or another. What are your opinions on the current state of fashion? Anything you’re a fan of or not so much?
BB: Shit cool. Everybody workin.’
BD: The game is pretty over saturated.. not enough people that genuinely want to support brands because too many people are trying to start brands… It’s like being a rapper… but I like anyone that’s working on tryna improve themselves & their brand. I don’t like that hobo/homeless lookin’ shit especially on black people because we’ve come too far to be dressing like it’s 1930’s & we gotta wear hand me down looking clothes.. anyone else can look homeless all they want..
photo by @regashiwtf
Personally, what does DAFT! mean to you both? Tell us about the origins name and everything you believe it stands for.
BD: DAFT! means being creative, true free expression, doing things no one wants to do, saying the things no one wants to say. DAFT! has a few diff meanings but our most recent for our newest collection is “Dope Art & Finer Threads!” We want to bring the people the best creativity & quality seen on garments..
Take me through the DAFT! creative process, once you draw inspiration from somewhere what’s your usual first step to action to bring an idea into reality?
BB: We sit around talking shit about all things related to wherever the inspiration started .. a bunch of “what if” “yeah that’s hard” “nah that’s wack” moments. Our first step is we gotta see it actually being sold in our heads n almost guess peoples reaction. Whether it be negative or positive .. we have to see our consumer buying and actually wearing the garments.. If we can’t then it’s probably gonna get scratched ‘n we’ll start over.
BD: Being honest… First step to the creative process & bringing things to life is munchies.. (lemon heads, sour chewy candies, rap snacks, the baby hostess snacks w/ filling that shoot glitter, honey buns & juice)… in case anyone reading this wants to get us gifts [laughs].
photo by @majinrue
One of my favorite products you guys produced was the DAFT! football jersey, and the jackets you guys have been teasing are definitely next level. Do you guys have plans on getting into other areas of fashion? Shoe design someday maybe?
BD: We would love to expand into anything from base layers to outerwear… from garments you can wear everyday to specific occasions. Shoe design isn’t a personal idea of mine or my forte. I think designing shoes is difficult as hell [laughs] but we would put DAFT! Designs on a silhouette we love like the DAFT! Camo Vans we experimented with in 2016..
Where do you see the brand in say, three or five years from now? Do you guys have an goals in particular for DAFT! as it continues to grow?
BB: We gon’ be considered as one of the top street wear brands. Dudes gon’ know what’s up .. we creepin’ on a come up like Bone Thugs I promise .. “you’ll see” [Puff Daddy voice].
BD: In 5 years our goal is to have a few flagship, stores in cities that mean a lot to us, & everything Bink said.
What are some final words you guys would like to leave our readers that may influence them to get out and chase their dream in the world of design?
BD: “Stay low, keep firing, design ain’t got no retirement. Stay Dangerous!” Real Splitters* look for updates to http://DAFTCLOTHING.CO real soon! Stay healthy on a punk bitch!
BB: “We the real splitters and nobody’s fucking wit us” R.I.P. Sweet James Jones.
DAFT! CLOTHING featured with og maco
Keep up with DAFT! Clothing on Instagram ~ @daftclothing.