A few weeks ago I went to a party in the Mile End with one of my friends who graduated from NSCAD a few years ago. She had this killer t-shirt on that had screen printed geometric and esoteric symbols with the text “Join Your Local Occult”. I loved it and was even more interested when I found out the company was based out of Halifax. I got in touch with them, just in time for the launch of their Summer 2011 line to ask a few questions and get the scoop on Estate Family Guilds.
When did you start Estate Family Guilds?
It’s hard to define a date that we started. BJ had thought up “Estate”, as a name for this, in first-year university and used it in his work. It wasn’t until later that Keith joined on and it became a “family” and “guild”. When Keith joined in it became less about that single person or icon of “Estate”, and became more of a collaborative group effort (family, guild).
We had an opportunity to create a collection of work for the Wearable Art Show at NSCAD in 2008, and we decided to take part and do a run of t-shirts. They were all one-off’s and ranged so heavily in aesthetics. We really had no idea what we were doing at that point and to this day, we aren’t sure if that was a good or bad experience.
A year or so later, during our final year at NSCAD, we decided to regroup and design a new collection and do it properly. We released our first season in fall 2010.
What was your main motivation for starting the business?
We started because we wanted to wear it. We have yet to print a design we wouldn’t wear ourselves. We sell them cause we hope other people want the same things as we do. Keith started doing design work for SOLED OUT sneakers, and they pushed us to release the things we made out of the lack of Halifax made “streetwear”.
Fuck, we hate that stupid word, “streetwear”.
It is what it is, we believe we co-own a collaborative “partnership” specializing in rare goods. Simple.
How much time goes into a collection?
We are always pressed for time to pump out another season, but we try to spend three months on the design, print and press. Plus, one or two jewellery pieces. We create everything ourselves, and Estate can be a demanding extracurricular activity around release dates. We ask our extremely talented friends to help with design and lookbook stuff when we are too busy. That’s why we call it a family.
Do you plan on staying and basing yourselves out of Halifax?
BJ continues to live and work in Halifax, but Keith made the move to Toronto shortly after we released Fall 2010 to grow the business. The base will always be Halifax. Halifax has taught us lessons we couldn’t have learned anywhere else, so we will always have close relationships with the Halifax community.
Are you all NSCAD graduates? What did you study?
BJ graduated with a major in Metalsmithing and Keith graduated with photography. We studied numerous facets of art and design thought. It’s hard to be an artist at just one thing when you’re a visual problem solver at heart.
Are there any stores that carry your merchandise or is it only available online?
We are currently exclusive with Soled Out in Halifax and are looking at stores in the eastern Canada. For online orders, we ask to be contacted at [email protected].
Plans on expanding the company as success builds?
That’s always a part of owning a business we think. We never expected to have as great of a response as we’ve had, and shops and publications are starting to take notice. It went from selling to our friends, to seeing people on the street wearing our stuff. So this is tough to deal with.
We don’t want to over-saturate the market, but as we are asked to be featured in more shops in Canada (can’t say where quite yet), we have to expand. We sell out of pieces quickly, so our editions will grow and so will our retailers. We are looking to stay east for the time being, but we will have an online shop set up for next season for everyone else.
Who are you inspirations (artists/musicians)?
We are inspired by so many things, but aesthetically, we have to mention a few key figures. We draw a lot of influence from those who design for its application. William Morris, the 19th-century artist, has a lot of influence for his smart design. He taught us to understand the craft first, then adapt the design for that crafts application. Therefore, our t-shirts look like t-shirts, not the Mona Lisa. His work is brilliantly complex, yet easy to apply to production.
Tattooing is also a huge influence we draw from and must mention. Classic American tattoo designs inspire simplicity and that classic design sense we crave.
We also draw from a long list of smaller concepts like Satanism, the occult, secret society’s, sign painters, butchers and barbers, hip-hop, metal, hardcore, and the list goes on.
Average price for a t-shirt & average price for jewelry?
Our work retails for $30 a shirt and $60 for hoodies. Other garments (tanks, v-necks) are priced within that range.
All shirts come from an edition of 13. No reprints. So you will own one of thirteen ever in existence.
Website: estatefamilyguilds.com
A few weeks ago I went to a party in the Mile End with one of my friends who graduated from NSCAD a few years ago. She had this killer t-shirt on that had screen printed geometric and esoteric symbols with the text "Join Your Local Occult". I loved it and was even more interested when I found out the company was based out of Halifax. I got in touch with them, just in time for the launch of their Summer 2011 line to ask a few questions and get the scoop on Estate Family Guilds.
When did you start Estate Family Guilds?
It’s hard to define a date that we started. BJ had thought up “Estate”, as a name for this, in first-year university and used it in his work. It wasn’t until later that Keith joined on and it became a “family” and “guild”. When Keith joined in it became less about that single person or icon of “Estate”, and became more of a collaborative group effort (family, guild).
We had an opportunity to create a collection of work for the Wearable Art Show at NSCAD in 2008, and we decided to take part and do a run of t-shirts. They were all one-off’s and ranged so heavily in aesthetics. We really had no idea what we were doing at that point and to this day, we aren’t sure if that was a good or bad experience.
A year or so later, during our final year at NSCAD, we decided to regroup and design a new collection and do it properly. We released our first season in fall 2010.
What was your main motivation for starting the business?
We started because we wanted to wear it. We have yet to print a design we wouldn’t wear ourselves. We sell them cause we hope other people want the same things as we do. Keith started doing design work for SOLED OUT sneakers, and they pushed us to release the things we made out of the lack of Halifax made “streetwear”.
Fuck, we hate that stupid word, “streetwear”.
It is what it is, we believe we co-own a collaborative “partnership” specializing in rare goods. Simple.
How much time goes into a collection?
We are always pressed for time to pump out another season, but we try to spend three months on the design, print and press. Plus, one or two jewellery pieces. We create everything ourselves, and Estate can be a demanding extracurricular activity around release dates. We ask our extremely talented friends to help with design and lookbook stuff when we are too busy. That’s why we call it a family.
Do you plan on staying and basing yourselves out of Halifax?
BJ continues to live and work in Halifax, but Keith made the move to Toronto shortly after we released Fall 2010 to grow the business. The base will always be Halifax. Halifax has taught us lessons we couldn’t have learned anywhere else, so we will always have close relationships with the Halifax community.
Are you all NSCAD graduates? What did you study?
BJ graduated with a major in Metalsmithing and Keith graduated with photography. We studied numerous facets of art and design thought. It’s hard to be an artist at just one thing when you’re a visual problem solver at heart.
Are there any stores that carry your merchandise or is it only available online?
We are currently exclusive with Soled Out in Halifax and are looking at stores in the eastern Canada. For online orders, we ask to be contacted at [email protected].
Plans on expanding the company as success builds?
That’s always a part of owning a business we think. We never expected to have as great of a response as we’ve had, and shops and publications are starting to take notice. It went from selling to our friends, to seeing people on the street wearing our stuff. So this is tough to deal with.
We don’t want to over-saturate the market, but as we are asked to be featured in more shops in Canada (can’t say where quite yet), we have to expand. We sell out of pieces quickly, so our editions will grow and so will our retailers. We are looking to stay east for the time being, but we will have an online shop set up for next season for everyone else.
Who are you inspirations (artists/musicians)?
We are inspired by so many things, but aesthetically, we have to mention a few key figures. We draw a lot of influence from those who design for its application. William Morris, the 19th-century artist, has a lot of influence for his smart design. He taught us to understand the craft first, then adapt the design for that crafts application. Therefore, our t-shirts look like t-shirts, not the Mona Lisa. His work is brilliantly complex, yet easy to apply to production.
Tattooing is also a huge influence we draw from and must mention. Classic American tattoo designs inspire simplicity and that classic design sense we crave.
We also draw from a long list of smaller concepts like Satanism, the occult, secret society’s, sign painters, butchers and barbers, hip-hop, metal, hardcore, and the list goes on.
Average price for a t-shirt & average price for jewelry?
Our work retails for $30 a shirt and $60 for hoodies. Other garments (tanks, v-necks) are priced within that range.
All shirts come from an edition of 13. No reprints. So you will own one of thirteen ever in existence.
Website: estatefamilyguilds.com
