Bambam Clothing Label

A boutique fashion label by Mick and Chris Pretsel

An Exclusive interview with Bambam boys Micheal and Chris Pretsel

Q1) Who are the names behind the Bambam label and what are your backgrounds?

Michael and Chris Pretsel are the directors of the company. Michael has a marketing and management business degree and Chris is trained in Graphic Design, Computer Arts and both have a passion for clothing design, visual art, and streetwear fashion.

Q2) When and how did Bambam all begin?

Bambam began in the living room of our Newstead [Brisbane] apartment where we would spend long nights pouring over t shirt designs and denim concepts. We would then get on the old mans power tools in his shed and distress, destruct, and tear apart items of clothing in attempt to make our clothes look ratty and worn.

I think alot of people were doing this to their wardrobes back then. We just really enjoyed doing it and made a career out of it. That was seven or eight years ago, and to this day you can still find us… now, in our own factory -on the power tools and splashing ink everywhere.

Q3) What are the main sources of inspiration behind your collections? Are you influenced by other designers – if so who and why?

I think its a real cliche’ but inspiration can come from anything and at anytime. When you want to design a cup, you don’t look at another cup for inspiration, you look at a spoon, or a knife! otherwise you end up in the same old place- with a boring cup. A vast majority i would say comes from pop culture and the mass media, sometimes its so ridiculous what you hear and see in the world that it can be inspiring to take the piss out of.

I think we like to use this type of inspiration more in our marketing campaigns than actual clothing designs but at the end of the day that’s what carry’s the brand. i think there are definately inspirational designers out there that we look to, to see what they are doing – but they are in high fashion so you can carry an idea, or theme over into street and still end up with a unique design in its own right.

Q4) If you could pick someone famous that best represents your labels style, who would it be? Alternatively, what famous person/s would you want wearing your label?

Tyler Durden [Brad Pitt in Fight Club] i know he’s a fictitious character, but hey, he’s fucking cool

Q5) What can we expect from Bam Bam in the coming collections? Is there any end goal?

In the coming collections you will be seeing some of the best denim and washes you’ve ever seen, as well as the arrival of our womens range again in 2010. Its going to be another big year for us this year, its a welcomed pressure though, we love what were creating here and it never really seems like work.

The end goal is to enjoy what we do. and have it provide the resources to stir up a bit of controversy along the way. As soon as that stops, thats where it all ends. The end is not in sight.

FASHION DESIGNER'S DIRECTORY