SICK OF YOUR HANDKERCHIEF? TRY A GANGSTERCHIEF.
WNW Member #1811 Vikas Bhalla started a new company rooted in his Los Angeles upbringing and very close to his heart. Gangsterchief, as in Gangster + handkerchief. Growing up surrounded by LA gang violence, Vikas sought to creatively explore his fascination with that world. We asked Vikas why he chose to create awareness about gang violence through high-end silk pocket squares: "It was the perfect medium to disturb the places we find most sacred. Places like weddings, business meetings, dates and interviews."
It was also important to Vikas that his product was manufactured locally. "Instead of going to Italy I also made it a mission to find quality manufactures in the US, and I was fortunate to have found them here in LA... I’d put these squares up against anything made anywhere else." The artwork woven on the first edition is also sourced locally as it incorporates the photography of LA-based Robert Yager.
Gangsterchief is doing its part to wipe away tears both real and tattooed: "We’re donating 15% of the profits to organizations and individuals focused on preventing gang violence by providing jobs, education and tools to the people of inner city Los Angeles."
Tell us a little bit about your background. Who is Vikas and how did he get here?
I’m an Indian kid from Los Angeles. I spent half of my childhood in Santa Monica and the other half in Inglewood. I’ve worked in advertising for the last 10 years as an art director making advertising. I learned it in SF, first job was in NY, and now I’m back home in LA freelancing.
How did you become interested in exploring gang violence?
The Los Angeles Police Department says there’s over 450 active gangs and more than 45,000 active gang members in LA, making it the “gang capital of America”. It’s such a big part of growing up here you can’t ignore it, a lot of my friends were in gangs.
"For four years I saw Mexican gangs (like SMx13) and Black gangs (like Graveyard Crips) fight because that’s all they knew. I didn’t understand it, so I got obsessed with it."
I went to Santa Monica High School and for four years I saw Mexican gangs (like SMx13) and Black gangs (like Graveyard Crips) fight because that’s all they knew. I didn’t understand it, so I got obsessed with it. I followed street photographers like Robert Yager and Boogie, watched gang-related documentaries/shows and read books like “Monster”, “Always Running” and “Gang Leader for a Day”. When I read David Simon I was hooked and till this day The Wire is my all-time favorite TV show.
How did you start Gangsterchief?
On days when I was not working, I would sit around my house and think of things I wanted to make. One day I was procrastinating (like most people do) and opened up the book “It’s All Good” by Boogie. The idea just hit me and it seemed so simple. Why not combine these gritty street images with this growing high-fashion trend: pocket squares? It was the perfect medium to disturb the places we find most sacred. Places like weddings, business meetings, dates and interviews.
"It was the perfect medium to disturb the places we find most sacred. Places like weddings, business meetings, dates and interviews."
Why high-end silk pocket squares?
From the beginning I wanted these pocket squares to be as beautiful as the images being printed on them. The photographs are art, so they deserved to be treated as such. 100% silk pocket squares with hand-rolled edges are considered to be the best, so there was no other option. Instead of going to Italy I also made it a mission to find quality manufactures in the US, and I was fortunate to have found them here in LA. It was very important for me to have a product made in America that I was proud of, which is why I’d put these squares up against anything made anywhere else.
What’s your take on the manner in which gang violence is portrayed in the news?
People love watching movies and documentaries about gangs, but gang stories don’t make good news stories. Most of the time the news and/or the police don’t report gang violence. They sweep it under the rug and hope people don’t notice, and it works. Out of sight, out of mind.
Where do the proceeds go?
The proceeds go to organizations that address issues reflected in the photographers work. Robert Yager delves into the world of Latino street gangs here in Los Angeles. For his pocket square, "Crack-cocaine cash being counted", we’re donating 15% of the profits to organizations and individuals focused on preventing gang violence by providing jobs, education and tools to the people of inner city Los Angeles.
"We’re donating 15% of the profits to organizations and individuals focused on preventing gang violence by providing jobs, education and tools to the people of inner city Los Angeles."
How did Robert Yager get involved?
I’ve been a big fan of Yager for a really long time so I thought I’d email him, explain the idea and see what he says. His images are extremely powerful and perfect for Gangsterchief so I was a bit nervous, but I knew the worst thing he could say was no and I didn’t have much to lose. He responded pretty quickly and the rest is history, he’s now our first special edition pocket square.
What’s next for you, and for Gangsterchief?
Between Gangsterchief and freelance I’ve kept myself pretty busy. I’ve signed on a couple more photographers I’m really excited about but I’m also starting to reach out to other artists and thinking of ways to expand the line beyond photography. I’ve only been working on Gangsterchief for a little over a year now so I’m just getting started.
What is some advice you can offer creatives based on your experience with Gangsterchief?
I just wrote an article for Makers Row that was titled, Why This Entrepreneur Wouldn’t Start Another Business Alone, and I can’t stress that enough. Being in advertising you’d think I would’ve known better but it’s something that just slips your mind when starting a business, and it’s so important. Find a partner first and then start collecting your billions.
Who are some other WNW members whose work you admire?
I’ve spent a lot of time following the work of David Schwen and Brock Davis. Both designers have an incredible ability to find simple but powerful visual solutions. I’d be lying if I said I just admire their work, I’m extremely jealous of it.
"Have an idea for an app, children’s book, political statement, website, poster, short story, food truck, anything? You can make it right now and have it out in the world tomorrow."
Anything else you’d like to add?
Right now is such a great time to be a creative. You can make anything you want, whenever you want. Have an idea for an app, children’s book, political statement, website, poster, short story, food truck, anything? You can make it right now and have it out in the world tomorrow… it’s amazing. I just hope more people will create more incredible things because of it.
Next artist: Travis Jensen x Gangsterchief