Less of a traditional clothing label, and more like a gnarly art project you can wear, Bunniez is taking a bloody stand against AI slop.
Founded in June 2023 by Bonnie Andrews, Bunniez Apparel is a micro-brand rooted in alternative and emo culture, built on a DIY mindset that celebrates warts-and-all individuality. Each piece starts as a thrifted or second-hard garment which then gets reworked into something entirely new and unique through freehand acrylic painting. Turning hoodies and tees into grim one-of-a-kind artworks, the results are bold, frequently gross, and a world away from the polished uniformity of mainstream fashion.
With hand-painted T-shirts and hoodies as well as low-cost prints, Bonnie can regularly be found at pop-up venues and underground alternative markets and has become an integral part of the scene that first inspired her. Much like Sherwood and the venues we adore and champion, Bunniez is a small but mighty project that we thought was well deserving of our spotlight.
We caught up with Bonnie to find out more:
Can you tell us the story of the time you first decided to paint on a piece of clothing?
I actually saw a jogger print design online that was very cool, when I went to checkout it was insanely out of my budget and I was so devastated. I decided I could probably make something similar myself if I just worked out how to keep my paints on a fabric. So I did just that, tailored the design to me and just kept making myself stuff. I still have the joggers to this day.
When did Bunniez become more than a hobby?
I was struggling a lot with mental health and was in therapy sessions. In the sessions I discussed how I wish I could be an artist or designer but it was so far out of reach for me. I was encouraged to set myself a goal, so I decided to set up an Instagram to show my clothing and try to sell something. It grew quicker than I expected and within 24hrs of posting my first listing a family member bought it in support of my venture and it just didn’t stop getting better after that.
Can you explain how and why the alt and emo scene has such an influence on what you do?
The Alt and Emo scene is everything! I grew up in the 2010s Emo scene, going to alt gigs and festivals, trips to Camden to buy gothic clothing, colouring my hair with crazy colour. It’s just always been a community and aesthetic I love, so it was no doubt it would bleed into everything I did. Bring me the horizon is one of my favourite bands and Oli Sykes concepts in music and fashion have inspired a lot, I knew I wanted to create something with similar vibes to Drop Dead.
Do you start with the end in mind, or just keep adding more creepy details as you go?
Usually I have a vague idea of what I want to create, e.g. a creepy cat or bloody eyeball. But I start with that vague idea and build it up as I go as ideas come to me. Sometimes I make some big mistakes, in which the attempt cover up creates an even better idea/design. That’s definitely taught me mistakes aren’t all bad, they can be essential and make you become even better (in all areas of life!)
What draws you to horror and darkness so much?
That’s a tricky one, I feel like it’s just been apart of me always! I find it all very fascinating and exciting. I think there’s a lot of beautiful deeper meanings behind ideas in the horror genre, which people often shy away from because they see it for face value blood and gore. Finding beauty in the worst things is such a rewarding oxymoron.
How has your style developed since you started taking Bunniez seriously?
I started with rather basic word designs, splashes and symbols on my clothing. As I became more skilled with using the fabric paint on the clothing, I started experimenting with new ideas. Slowly it grew to me drawing cartoonish animals, then to more realism animals and eyeballs. I’m not perfect at it but I’m still improving and no doubt in a year pieces will be even crazier! I have also moved to focusing more on the art piece than the clothing item itself - the designs are what draw people.
What are you favourite things to paint?
My favourite things to paint are definitely eyeballs, they are very satisfying to paint. Detached eyes effortlessly create unease and gory vibes and there are lots of places you can put them! I could easily incorporate them into every piece which is very fun. I also love painting cats, simply just because I love cats.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite commissions you’ve had so far? What’s been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on?
I had a commission recently which was a hoodie, with the customers tattoos painted onto the hoodie. It was a challenge trying to recreate the tattoos to the best of my ability but I thought that the idea was so cool! It turned out looking super cool and I enjoyed how it challenged me to paint things I wouldn’t normally, and also detailed things using just white and black paint. As for the most rewarding I have just finished a design on a Graduation Cap and Gown for a girl who loves Antique Oddities and Dolls. She had such big ideas and really challenged me, but trusted me with such an important job. She hasn’t yet seen the finished piece but I’m hoping she will love it!
Who are some of your favourite smaller bands and venues?
My absolute favourite band in the world is As It Is ! They are a smaller Pop Punk band from Brighton, UK and I have been following them since the start of their career in 2012. If they’re playing London you can guarantee I’ll be there! They’re playing their first Download Festival this year, so I am trekking up to the North to support them! As for venues, I have to mention Fighting Cocks in Kingston. It’s a small bar with a little stage in the back room but the vibes are immaculate! I always look forward to a gig in that little room. Also a Shoutout for Electrowerks in Islington where you will usually find me selling at the Satanic Flea Market. I know they host other alt events in the year, it’s such a great venue!
Where can people find you, both online and out and about in the real world?
Online you can find me most often on Instagram as @Bunniez_._ or my website www.bunniez.uk. As for the real world, I am often doing Markets at the Satanic Flea Market or other events in London and you can find where and when on Insta. As for just being me, I will always be at an As it Is gig, down in Brighton hanging out with friends and shopping, or dancing the night away at Facedown at Scala Kings Cross or Apocalypse Brighton !
