Not too long ago I shared some amazing headwear with you... The response I had was awesome and many of my followers couldn’t wait to get their hands on a
Spirit Hood, Heck they gotta be good if Nylon are talking about them too!!
Desordre in Darlinghurst and Tuchuzy of Bondi were quick to pick up on the Spirit Hood trend and bought these babies to our shore... and basically making it a hell of a lot easier to get our hands on these furry critters...
So this month I decided to see if I could catch up with the folk behind
Spirit Hoods, I managed to get in touch with Ashley Harber one of the co- founders of Spirit Hoods, Ashley does all the Photography, Branding and marketing as well as design etc... The photography mind you is amazing.. Because it looks extremely fun to actually own one of these things... For all you Perth readers out there Ashley has some connection with Perth although he’s never been here Ashley was a good friend of the late Heath Ledger...
AH: “He had alot of Spirit, as a result of knowing Heath I met Gemma Ward as well who I took to Burningman last year I was just thinking of her today and I was going to send her a Spirit Hood”
"Gemma in my rv at burningman... I have never shown anyone these pics. They are actually taken from some video I shot on the trip."
I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know what Burningman is, even my partner knew... But Ashley cleared it up for me; I also asked if he would be attending this year...
AH: I don't think I will be able to make it to BurningMan this year. It’s in the desert. 60,000 people get together and build camps and art installations and stay up for days listening to music and meeting people. Most of the leaders in technology, science, art, music etc ... are out there speaking, creating. It's amazing. Nothing can be bought with money there. It's all trade. It's like a heightened microcosm of everything progressive and extreme in the world. Check out what you can on the web.....there is nothing like it in the world. have a read of the website for more (http://www.burningman.com/)
To me that sounds amazing there is nothing like that in Australia, not that I know of anyway, So you’ve been to Byron Bay for a bit any future plans to head back to Australia either you or the rest of the gang?
I would love love love to go back to Aus. it's so amazing. I don't know when i'll have the chance tho. I was actually looking at doing a permaculture seminar in New Zealand so if i get there i'll make it out to Aus as well.
Where did the idea for animal-themed hoods come from? When was the first Spirit Hood created and who wore it first and how did this lead to the formation of Spirit Hoods?
The idea was to create something that was fun, free-spirited and sexy. We didn't really know how SpiritHoods would turn out. The hoods we have originally were made for fun and then we realised the magic we were looking for in a product was in these hoods . And beyond that they help animals and they bring people together in a positive way. It's a beautiful thing.
These are one of the items my parents would probably shake their head at... perhaps a handful of my friends would disagree with me if I decided to wear it out but heck it’s on my Wish list... Spirit Hoods have been a huge success what do you believe helped Spirit Hoods rise to where it is now... And what do you say to the haters?
Yeah it's great that not everyone get's it. It can be a little radical for some people and that get us hype. It has been so successful for a few reasons. One - its' so frickin’ cute/sexy/fierce depending on how you sport it. Two- There is nothing like it. It's original and fun and that's what everyone is looking for. We are all sick of the same ol' shit. SpiritHoods is a risk , it's bold, it's fun, it's purpose is to bring out the animalistic side of each one of us that is hiding. To let that side out is liberating and to find something in fashion that is liberating is very rare!
As for the haters I have nothing to say. I would give you a hug if I could:)
As the creators of Spirit Hoods do you get out and about in your own hoods? What animal do you channel?
My spirit animal changes, I have many sides of my personality I like to channel at different times. Right now I have been rocking the Red Wolf. I'm feeling fierce right now. I have working really hard, staying focused and trying to kill the beast with kindness.
Celeb Fans range from Katy Perry to Ke$ha, Cameron Diaz to Fergie, Russel Brand and Pete Wentz, Who would you like to see wearing a Hood?
I would like to see you wearing one.
You’ve got a pretty big following in the states, that’s only natural... But where do YOU see Spirit Hoods out and about, do you guys get a warm and fuzzy feeling still when you see the tribe rocking a hood with confidence?
We are starting to see people everywhere. On the streets, in the bathrooms, at the zoo, in the closet, riding bikes, playing shows, surfing, snowboarding, flying planes....psychologists are using them in therapy sessions to help kids open up.
We love seeing all of it.
Without giving too much away give us a rundown being involved with the Spirit hood project is it as fun as it seems, do you love what you do? (I’ve seen the clip on the blog.. It looks like ALOT of fun)
Like anything you are passionate about it has it's ups and it's downs. We have put it all on the line. I have been up the last 3 days sanding floors in our new office because as a start up company we have to save all the money we can.
Chase, Marley and Alex (my business partners ) are like my 3 wives. We fight and then kiss and makeup everyday. We have an amazing time but the work load is out of control. We are all a little burned out right now. We had amazing event at Fred Segal the other though for Vogue Fashion Week in LA. The mayor of LA was wearing a Spirit Hood!
Foam and Spirit Hoods are giving you a chance to channel your inner animal during their
Wolf Hood give-away! You’re asking us to tell us the wildest thing we’ve ever done… What’s the wildest thing you done with or without your Spirit Hood?
AH: Wildest thing without my hood? hahaaaa we can't talk about that stuff. Really the wildest thing is how everyone that wears a spirit hood will find each other at a party and totally take it over. It's amazing. And then we all end up naked locked up in a zoo together.
You’ve mentioned before that the response you’ve had from Auzzies is crazy why do you believe that?
AH: I believe because I see it. We are selling a ton in Aus and I see the pics. You all are a wild bunch! I can’t wait to visit.
In Australia, Fashion week is just around the corner I’ll be keeping my eye out for someone rocking a Spirit hood… Can we expect to see some Spirit Hood pieces rocking it out and about at this year’s New York Fashion Week? Will either of you be attending any of the shows donning a Spirit Hood?
AH: Ya like I said we did an event at Fred Segal the other night. I may go to New York to go to a couple of events as well
What’s next for Spirit Hoods? Any new critters joining the pack... I’ve heard rumours of a bunny perhaps?
AH: The night hawk should be shipping soon. And yes we are working on a bunny of course.
And just a quick one are you going to make it any easier for us down under to get our hands on one... Last time I checked we still couldn’t go through the Spirit Hood
online Store?
We ship to you now!
Love em or hate em... I adore em' I just started my new job too.. So heads up to Amy and Lauryn... I'll probably be ordering one soon get your pennies ready!!
