It’s time to introduce the Shock and Soul Team. To be fair, you probably won’t find a more diverse and multi talented bunch of ‘retail ’staff’, designers and affiliates, anywhere. From giant melon stealing costume designers, to knitting/badge making, frenzied idea having stylists ‘, Fiery eyed Christmas tree wearing bassheads, and hyper mouthed O.C.D, sufferering D.J’s. We are an imbalanced, harmonious gang of social outcasts, that just somehow work as a team. We don’t ask questions, we just do.
Name: Natalie Farouz aka Queen Quixotic aka Princess Wastegash aka Shat.
Role: Head Honcho @ Shock&Soul & Persuader Extraordinaire.
Special Tasks: Knitting, collage, working well under pressure and anything menial i.e. undoing knots n’ such like.
Background: Born in the midlands, for my sins, where I spent most of my youth being a gobby idiot. Done pretty much every job going, always imagined myself becoming a police officer, I changed my mind after being arrested a few times. I Started a law degree, got bored of that so ended up doing fashion in the hope that I would never have to write another essay, or read another textbook. I discovered I was actually not a bad designer, dabbled with styling and fashion photography. Left the slums of Walsall for the bright lights of London. Started with my ebay empire and a cupboard in Camden. Somehow managed to get a shop set up and the rest is yet to happen…
Favourite era: 1982 until the present day, (my life).
Soul Food: Loving the elderly, getting excited by people, havin’ a chinwag, laughing, photographs, memories, travelling, learning, having my head in the clouds, moustaches, deep baths, havin a good ol rave, mash ups, make-up, garms, bling, trainers, my own inimitable guitar playing skills and being a hopeless romantic.
Life Mantra: Nothing lasts forever, so enjoy it whilst you can.
Worst Habit: Losing everything, including my mind from time to time.
Tea: Milk 2 sugars, but if I make my own it’s more like 3.
Name: Emily Bosence – AKA – OOPS!
Role: Fashion Designer, Seamstress and chief distracter – Check out my Shock and Soul concession rail!
Special Tasks: Bringing the noize!!
Background: Coming From – I Did my fashion degree at Chelsea graduating in 2004, then ran to the hills and set up in Brighton. I was one of the hardcore 3 at Red Mutha for 4 years, sewing, designing, running stalls, putting on events etc. before going solo in Oct 2008 and setting up my label OOPS! Which I sell in Shock and Soul.
Going To – Storming ahead with OOPS! Things are gonna get BIGGER and BETTER!
Favourite era: 1985 – 1993 HIP HOUSE INNIT!
Soul Food: Going to jumble sales, watching a weeks worth of ‘Come Dine With Me’ in one sitting, fancy dress mash ups, FESTIVALS!
Life Mantra: erm????
Worst Habit: Scoffing left over curry straight from the fridge for breakfast.
Name: Bex AKA Final Bexdination AKA TBX (Petty Krooks).
Role: systems manager, tidier, the shoplifters worse nightmare
Special Tasks: Making tea and creating noise, non-stop.
Background: I was thrown out of fashion school in the early nineties, so of course became a podium dancer at raves (world dance mainly) and then a DJ, which has taken me around the world!! (the dj’ing, not the dancing).
Going To – Continue to investigate beats and bass, poetry, people and photography. Hopefully culminating in a book and a radio show.If not I’l just be a batty old lady with a million cats to tell tall stories to.
Favourite era: twenties and nineties.
Soul Food: Mountains, snow, sledging, snowboarding, trees, fire, barren beaches the sound of GOOD TIMES!!.
Life Mantra: Bippety Boppety Boh!!!
Worst Habit: Looking for something that doesn’t exist.
