Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Barnette.
Lindsay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Honestly, Kultured Misfits was started as a form of self-expression for myself. I’ve always been exposed to a variety of different forms of culture found in people & personalities, various upbringing, etc. And I’ve always been drawn to music, art, and film and had this crazy fascination with how artists used it to heal them but I never had the talent to develop it myself as a form of expression. Growing up, people always tried to place me within the stereotypes they thought I should be in.
While I was in undergrad, I was a part of a poetry group where I finally felt like I was surrounded by people who saw me for me. No stereotypes or judgments, just a group of people who loved to share creatively. I knew I wasn’t the only one that was stereotyped and put into a box by my peers, so I decided I wouldn’t let that be my story.
I took a look around the room, listened to the conversations being had, the art being shared, the moments being created. In that moment, I realized just how different we all were, how if you looked into this room, you’d never guess we were all friends. This group of “MISFITS”, who would get together every week, setting aside any differences we may have, to simply be creative, to “Kulture” on another. So right then, Kultured Misfits was born.
We are all constantly surrounded by different people from different walks of life. I feel that it’s our duty to embrace them with compassion, learn from each other and go off into the world with this new found knowledge, making a positive impact. All the while staying true to myself in every way possible.
Kultured Misfits stands for that.
The lifestyle brand that connects with creatives who are on their game have their ear to the ground and are making waves for what comes next. The tastemakers of culture. We are in a time where individuality is being encouraged in a strong way, but the idea of not only being unapologetically yourself but also accepting someone else’s individuality and sharing or “culturing” those around you … that is something that is missing.
So Kultured Misfits was created.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As any new thing, there are challenges. We are building a brand in the middle of Atlanta, surrounded by hundreds of clothing brands that all want to make it. Our struggles have come with awareness of not only the pieces we sell but the brand message as a whole.
But the moment we make the connection, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of the brand too. Being a part of something bigger than us, spreading a message that so many others resonate with, it’s amazing.
Please tell us about Kultured Misfits.
Kultured Misfits is a lifestyle brand that represents the power of embracing one’s individuality while also being open to the influences of culture found in music, arts and the people around you to impact everyday life…
I’m sure you’re wondering what is a “Kultured Misfit” exactly…
Imagine someone who knows no bounds in their journey. The outsiders. The nomads. They listen, learn, create, and can put the pieces of the puzzle together and give true meaning to living. From the outside looking in, they are true individuals without a doubt. They were never meant to fit in a box and probably didn’t notice the box, to begin with. We believe that the only way kulture will redefine itself is if we have the mentality of a misfit.
Kultured Misfits is more than just a clothing line; it’s a lifestyle, a movement for kultured individuals everywhere. Determined to cater to a unique group of people that defy labels, stereotypes, and the boring norms that have yet to include misfits. Now, these misfits are the threads of society that hold us together. They encompass a body of knowledge that creates such a kulturally rich society but somehow don’t fit in with the crowd. From artists, scholars, creatives, and dreamers…misfits are regarded collectively.
In short, our motto is: We Were Never Meant To Fit In.
Every piece we create from our content to our clothing represents the notion that fitting-in was never apart of the plan. In whatever form that presents itself, you must remain true to you.
Our collections pull from truly defiant or groundbreaking cultural & style moments of the 90’s to today infused with the art of streetwear.
The KM brand extends to more than clothing through our annual “Legalize Free College” Scholarship. The KM team was brought together as the result of a group of college friends, who believed in the power of the brand, but we recognize that learning comes from all over, not just school. But one way that we wanted to give back to our communities is by offering this annual scholarship up to Rising High School Seniors and Undergraduate Students.
The scholarship asks students to submit a creative submission that tells us why they are a Kultured Misfit. Learn more about the scholarship here: https://kulturedmisfits.com/pages/lfc-scholarship.
The scholarship opens back up on: February 1, 2019.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kulturedmisfits.com
- Email: info@kulturedmisfits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kultured.misfits/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kulturedmisfits/
Image Credit:
Caleb Seales
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