Never felt like I belonged because I didn't "look" alternative enough.
Bit of a different post... Id love to hear from you all.
I've been building a clothing brand over the last few months, but honestly it was never really about the clothes.
It started because for years I always felt like I didn't quite fit anywhere. I love so many varied genres of music but I gravitate towards metal, rock and alternative culture... but never felt "alternative enough". I thought I had to look a certain way before I belonged. That put me off getting involved. Especially after going to a music festival dressed in what was described as "chavvy raver" clothes... I pushed myself away from it all and kept my love for the music and the culture a secret because I didn't want to go through that again.
Then I went back to the same music festival after 15 years and realised I'd got it completely wrong.
Nobody cared what I looked like.
They cared that I was there.
That feeling has stuck with me ever since.
So I started building a brand/community. Not to tell people how they should dress... but to remind people they never needed to change in the first place.
My dream isn't for people to see the logo and think "nice brand."
It's for someone to spot another person wearing it and instantly think...
"Yeah... you're one of us."
No judgement. No proving yourself. Just a quiet reminder that outsiders belong too.
I've actually written the whole story behind why I started it because I realised it goes way deeper than clothing.
Just curious...
Has anyone else here ever felt like they loved alternative culture but didn't feel like they fit the stereotype? Or has your experience been completely different?
I'd genuinely love to hear people's stories and if your interested in mine I'm happy to show you my story that has give me the drive to start up this brand!