Missbehave Magazine Clips

13. Jeans for Satan
Missbehave supports anything the church is against—sex education, freedom of
choice, Liberals, sex with Liberals, etc. So when American bible bashers accused
Swedish clothing line Cheap Monday of promoting “Satanism among youth,” we
were sorta relieved... ’cause it deflected some of their wrath at us. See, the compa-
ny’s label has a skull with an upside-down cross on its forehead, which is basically
the sweetest design ever, but many Christians got their full-butt panties in a twist
for, like, no reason. Okay, fine, so it might have also had something to do with Cheap
Monday’s graphic designer, Bjorn Atldax, 32, telling the media that they were kinda
into the devil. But that was one time, and it could’ve been a dare or something.
Thing is, judging by the number of Wal-Mart fans in the red states, Christians
love value, right? So they should totally have a barn dance or tip cows or whatev-
er people in landlocked states do, ’cause get this: Cheap Monday has over-dyed,
awesome, tapered jeans for 60 clams! Creative Director Örjan Andersson, 34, and
designer Sanna Atldax, 32, got tired of the absurd prices of designer denim, so they
made their own. Örjan, who cut his teeth with denim monster Lee, wanted to create
something inexpensive that didn’t look like, as he says, “L.A. brands.”
We’re stoked about the result. The jeans, available at Opening Ceremony in NYC illustration (detail): bjorn atldax
and online at bluebee.com, caress curves with a shrewdly tapered leg, plus the com-
pany takes quality and value seriously. “We really work on keeping the low prices,”
says Sanna, who is not only the women’s wear designer, but is married to Bjorn, “oth-
erwise we would have to change the name to Expensive Friday [Laughs].”
And as if thrifty jeans weren’t excitement enough, Cheap Monday is introduc-
ing more colors and fits for spring with a full line that includes tops and outer-
wear. So even though the brand still gets emails telling them to “burn in hell,”
it’s still worth it to roll with them. Come on, it’s not like the church has a sense
of humor, rational thought processes, or global perspective, anyway. Most impor-
tantly, only homely people get the stigmata. Remember that.–Olivia Allin
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14. S laof o l m r n S
avt n m e a d
i r ab
Streetwear follows that whole FUBU strategy—for us by
us—until a bunch of Koreans or Jews buy everyone out.
It’s wicked harmonious, a bunch of dudes creating duds
for other like-minded dudes. But what the hell are you
supposed to wear if you’re a girl? I mean, if you’re not
down to rock cursive on your ass, pastel snow camo, flo-
ral embroidery or velvet/satin detailing. Finally, some-
thing better has arrived for us fairer folk.
Hellz Bellz is the clothing company headed by Lanie
Alabanza that combines gritty graphics with non-puke
eliciting feminine styling. Streetwear for gutsier girls
that draws inspiration from sources like vintage sex-
ploitation flicks to The Clash to Minnie Mouse. Alaban-
za, who is the Creative Director and Executive-Doer-of-
Everything-Else-Too, started Hellz Bellz in 2005 because,
like many of us, she was sick of being relegated to all
the fugly shit that streetwear companies expected girls
to wear. “By no means do I ever wanna dress like a guy,”
begins the 27-year-old Alabanza, who started her com-
pany with her husband Bam Barcena, “But I was tired of
shopping with Bam and being upset that the Ts he was
buying weren’t offered in my size. I like wearing graph-
ics and wanted to make a super hot line for girls who felt
a void in the female street market.”
Despite the unmet niche, Lanie didn’t up and become
an overnight success. In fact, she started her career in
1999 as a lowly intern at Alphanumeric (one of the first
streetwear lines), moved on to Triple Five Soul, and final-
ly to Rocawear, where she triumphed as the Art Director
and knitwear designer. “Never let being a female dictate
your status in whatever industry you’re in,” advises the
San Diego native. “Learn as much as you can from people
who have been in the business for a long time, network,
and don’t be so cocky!”
Where you can afford to be a little cockier is in the
clothes you rock—but as with everything, there is a fine
line. “Only the really self-confident can walk down the
street wearing a T-shirt with a hot weapon-packing chick
on the front and not hesitate,” says Lanie. Just like only
the really slutty can wear a T-shirt with “It’s not going to
lick itself” on the front and not hesitate.
Allin Silver
words:Olivia photo:Margo
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