Old school American tattoos on t-shirts? The inner tattoo enthusiast in me is screaming!
Say hey to Hannah Bhatt, designer & co-founder of The Covert Collective.
Not only has she launched this streetwear label at a young age, she’s also raising funds for human-trafficking victims!
Hi Hannah! Tell our readers more about yourself!
Hello! I am the co-founder of a clothing & lifestyle brand called The Covert Collective, I design, I handle marketing while my other half who is the other co-founder, Sam, who does all the boring business stuff.
One of their latest collection, Wild Rose
Share more about your fashion label, The Covert Collective! What’s the inspiration behind this home-grown label?
TCC is basically an outlet for me to express myself through creating new things not just clothes, we do prints, bags and a whole lot of other things. On top of that Sam and I have a huge passion for old school American tattoos. I would say my drawings are heavily influenced by the art and Sam has always wanted to start his own line. So we did it.
The name came about because we really wanted people especially in Malaysia to be more bold in being their own kind of special, and they can do so even with their choices in clothing. How that relates with the name “covert” is that everyone has something in them that they are timid about a certain weirdness they keep hidden. And we want them to embrace those things. Cause everyone’s unique in their own way. Life would be so boring if everyone wanted to be what society deemed as normal. Even the things we create has its own quirkiness. So TCC is more than just a brand, it’s a family. It’s a lifestyle.
What’s the creative process of designing your clothes?
Usually I don’t design for the sake of releasing things. When it happens it happens. These designs that we have been releasing are the product of when I get inspired. Usually I get inspired by people, it doesn’t happen every day. But when it does I go on a roll. That’s why sometimes u see TCC release 3 collections in less than 2 months. I’ll draw 10 designs in a day but we’ll pick maybe only 3 out of that 10. My biggest inspiration would have to be Sam, he just says things I need to make happen. Haha like our “ lit “ series. It was out of a silly conversation we had.
I draw the designs out and I get Sam to check the quality control and we screen print them manually.
TCC is all about celebrating quirky, fun art. What are your wackiest designs?
So many, but I would say in terms of whats popular is SAILORS DOOM and TACOCAT!
Share with us your vision for The Covert Collective.
Our vision is to eventually go big internationally. We see covert as a platform for many many things we want to achieve this includes spreading certain awareness very close to our hearts like Human Trafficking as well as organising fund raisers for Orang asli’s. We also want to branch into other things like F&B, Perhaps in the near future.
How do we purchase TCC items?
You can head to our website : www.thecovertcollective.com
Any advice for aspiring business owners like yourself? How does it feel to be a fashion entrepreneur?
My advice is to not sweat the small stuff. Grab hold onto every opportunity that comes your way. I had absolutely zero knowledge when it came to starting a business, zero connections, all I had was my passion and a whole lot of support from people close to me. It wasn’t easy, we’ve made a bunch of bad decisions and went through tons of rejections, but that’s okay. Be willing to learn and take advice, everything will fall into place. You will make mistakes but those are necessary. It feels nice, I’ve always loved fashion.
Do you have any life mottos?
Carpe diem & do everything out of love.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I’d love to be a singer. Haha!
What is a typical day for you?
A typical day is being really busy at work. (yes, I am always busy)
Other than fashion, will you venture into something new?
Yes most definitely. Probably something beauty related.
Who is your all-time inspiration?
My mom, my dad and Sam.
Where do you see yourself in 2 years?
I’m not sure. Hopefully, achieving great things through covert for the community and also country.
What is the ideal weekend for you?
Spending time with Sam and family.
Tell us what makes you smile the most?
Seeing people wear my designs. Haha feels crazy!
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