Irvine-based Sullen Clothing, an upstart maker of edgy shirts, pants, hoodies and hats, is getting the word out about its women’s line.
Sullen recently came out with Sullen G., which includes 12 cotton tank tops with bold graphics and artwork created by Sullen cofounder and art director Ryan Smith, who’s also a tattoo artist.
“Our female customers have always supported the original art and concept of the Sullen line, but they kept asking for an approach just for them,” said Jeremy Hanna, cofounder of Sullen and director of marketing and sales.
The women’s clothes are more “feminine and tailored,” he said.
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Sullen tank: more “feminine, tailored,” cofounder says |
Sullen is known for funky graphics. One popular T-shirt design has snakes slithering through a cluster of red roses. Another has black and white skulls.
Sullen started out in 2001 with Hanna and Smith selling T-shirts from their two-bedroom apartment in Huntington Beach.
The founders say on their Web site that friends would stop by on the way to the beach and usually leave with some clothes.
Sullen eventually moved to a small warehouse in Huntington Beach and now is in bigger offices in Irvine.
The clothing maker sells its wares in more than 350 stores in the U.S. and abroad. They include those of Irvine-based Tilly’s Inc., which has several stores in Orange County.
Sullen also has an online store, which the company said has helped increase sales and push the brand.
The company has created a buzz by sponsoring riders in skateboarding, surfing and motocross and tying its name to music, nightclub and tattoo events.
More Tilly’s
Expect Tilly’s, which runs stores selling surf and skate inspired clothes, to attract a bigger following as it looks to go wider.
The chain, hip among the 12-to-20-something set, now has some 63 stores, up from 37 in 2004.
On its Web site, Tilly’s said it’s also readying to open seven stores in Glendora, La Jolla, Tustin, Fresno, Tucson and two in Florida, a new area for Tilly’s.
The company already has stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.
Tilly’s is hip among teens looking to buy garb from OC’s surf and skate brands, including Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver Inc. and Irvine-based Billabong USA.
The chain has been steadily opening stores for the past several years.
Recently, the chain opened seven new shops in Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada.
In 2003, Tilly’s expanded its offices and distribution center to a 250,000-square-foot-plus space in Irvine.
This year, the company is marking its 25th anniversary. Tilly’s plays it up on its Web site, which lures visitors with free shipping on orders of $99 or more and a chance to win a trip to the X Games 13.
Theme Park Push
Lake Forest-based Johnny Rockets Group Inc. has hooked up with Six Flags Theme Parks Inc.
The restaurant chain, which plays up an all-American, 1940s theme, recently opened six restaurants in Six Flags amusement parks, including in Texas, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Chicago.
There’s more to come.
Johnny Rockets said it expects to open 20 more restaurants,for a total of 26,in Six Flags theme parks in the next three years.
As part of the bid, Johnny Rockets and Six Flags are doing some cross promotions.
Restaurants are offering a “Six Flags Cookies and Scream” shake and receipts include coupons for a Six Flags park. The two are also doing a kids’ activity book.
Johnny Rockets recently was acquired by RedZone Capital GP LLC.
Bits and Pieces:
Setting something straight from an earlier column: Devon Hocker, co-owner of Ladera Ranch Magazine, runs Veranda Realty in Ladera Ranch. Her past publishing career includes a stint at Irvine-based BowTie Inc. Ladera Ranch Magazine’s first issue is expected to hit in July Anaheim Arena Management LLC, which manages the Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks, just struck a deal with Pinnacle Landscape Co. to handle landscaping at the arena. Pinnacle also gets signs around Honda Center, ads in Ducks Digest magazine and on the arena’s Web site. Further terms weren’t disclosed Irvine-based Atomic Curve is revamping the Web site of client Superior Access Insurance Services, an online insurance seller, to reflect its name and logo. Atomic Curve, which has 15 workers, also is helping new client PRA Destination Management with branding for the company’s franchise and corporate marketing.
