[Be Awear] Start Up Freshness: THE WRK’n CLASS

For our latest Start Up Freshness we cover upcoming brand THE WRK’n CLASS. After releasing a few choice items in the past, they’re gearing up for a full Fall release that will be available this weekend. Joe Boots, the co-owner, is no slouch when it comes to work as he also has a full print shop that supplies many others in the city of Pittsburgh with pressing up great product. Check out more on THE WRK’n CLASS.

How would you describe your brand in four words?
PLAY HARD, WRK HARDER.
What is the motive behind your brand?
Bringing TRUE blue collar culture and ideals to the street wear world.
What is the most interesting feature about the brand?
Every piece of anything we have originated in the U.S.A. the cotton the actual tee shirts are made of is 100% Virginia Cotton. The products are manufactured in California and then printed in Pittsburgh. THE WRK’N CLASS stimulates the economy on every level .. now if other leaders of industries would follow this model, this great country wouldn’t have a growing unemployment rate…..
What void in the industry does your brand fill?
THE WRK’N CLASS has created its own lane. We are a concept driven line with actual ties to the things we are promoting. WRK ethic means something to us, and we believe some of the ideals that brands / companies are putting in the mainstream are not theirs. That they are just doing whats “trendy.” Shoot. THE WRK’N CLASS did its first drop FALL 2011, and since then, WORK has been a very trendy topic in the mainstream. We want to make clear we didn’t jump on this trend. We started it.
What is your biggest source of inspiration outside of fashion?
We are from the South Hilltop of Pittsburgh which is a very WRK’N CLASS part of the city. When we were growing up we were taught things from our parents and grandparents that never left us to this day. This can be summed up with a statement ” WRK FOR WHAT YOU WANT. NO ONE IS GONNA GIVE YOU ANYTHING, NO HANDOUTS.” and that stuck with us. Our WRK ethic and the WRK ethic of days gone by in this country. That is our biggest inspiration.
How do you stand out in a sea of start-up brands?
Good question. Everyone has a brand nowadays. But, its not about a hit design, or a famous friend / gimmick that makes people buy your clothes right now… it is about the foundation, which stands for longevity. THE WRK’N CLASS has been building a foundation and this Fall commemorates our one year anniversary. So I would say what separates us is that we stand for something. We are NOT just a catchy design / slogan / logo (although we do have those). We are based around old ideals that somehow got lost in the way of social networks and internet. Our brand represents real people doing real things.
Would you give a percentage of your brand to an investor? Why or why not?
Eh….
If you could choose an ideal model for your brand, who would it be?
Bob Vila
Where can your brand be purchased?
The WRK’N CLASS is available all the time at:
BOOTS PRINTING COMPANY (BPC) located at 1628 Saw Mill Run Blvd. 2nd Flr. Pittsburgh, PA 15210.
TIMEBOMB SPOT located at 200 S. Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206  (( timebombshop.com ))
THE BREAD SHOP (CHICAGO) located at 10509 S. Ewing Chicago, IL 60617 (( http://breadgang.bigcartel.com/ ))
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2 Comments

  1. joe boots says:
    October 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    thank you everyone at JENESIS MAGAZINE! its a real honor to be involved with yinz!

    i wanted to point out that i am a CO – OWNER of The WRK’n CLASS brand. the other owners are Matt (S. BUGGY) Walters and Jay “Don Dilly” Vee.

    thank you.

    see yinz at TIME BOMB ON THE 6th!

  2. Jay Vee says:
    October 2, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    The WRK’n Class Fall 2012 Collection is also available at..

    THE FROWN CROWN 5169 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    and

    ONE UP SKATE SHOP 1409 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203