Streetwear for Kids Spotlight: Estilo Lab

Article written by: SoJones Asmara
Posted on: September 18, 2009

Contrary to public belief that ’streetwear’ is a male-dominated world, Estilo Lab Clothing emerged to remind parents everywhere that you better start early if you want your kids to look fly.  The line, created by a mother and son duo, Lisa and Jalen Blunt, brings out the cool in young boys, proving to the world that awesomeness belongs to all ages.

Jalen, who is now a perfectly healthy and energetic 9 year-old, once suffered from complications with his esophagus, which required that he be fed through a tube until the age of 5. Today Jalen – who is recently announced as a receipent of the Gallery Studio Program Scholarship at Brooklyn Museum on Comics and Cartooning, lends his artistic ability and creative input to help create Estilo Lab with Lisa, who recently resigned from her job as an accountant to pursue her and Jalen’s dream full time. Sojones.com talked to Lisa and Jalen.

Introduce yourself and describe how Estilo Lab started?
LB (Lisa Blunt) Hi I am Lisa Blunt and with me is my son avid drawer and artist Jalen Blunt otherwise known as Jay. Estilo LAB started because of the need to fill a niche in the boys clothing industry. The boy market is untouched and is in need of some refreshing creativity. After reviewing some of my son’s artwork, I immediately thought wow, I should use these on the shirts.
JB (Jalen Blunt) I was very ecstatic.

What do you love to draw the most, Jalen?
JB I love to draw monsters and faces the most.

What celeb or well-known figure(s) do you think will be great to represent the brand?
LB I would say Kanye West. I think K West represents something that is different and fresh.
JB Will Smith because I love his movies especially “I am legend”.

Any product placements on celebs, in movies or videos to keep an eye out for?
LB No, not at the moment. We totally believe in the power of the independent spirit and the movement of the people.

Any expansion plans? A girl’s line, maybe?
LB We are expanding into more types of clothing currently, pants, shirts, socks even shoes. We have produced a few complimentary t-shirt’s for girls, but believe the young girls market is so saturated at this point that it wouldn’t make much sense for us. Probably, later down the line.

Looking ahead over the next year or two, what themes/looks/styles do you see your brand gravitating to?
LB We love graffiti, in the essence of competition we can not disclose too much for now, but definitely be on the look out for more fun and fashion forward pieces from EL.
JB I just finished writing an adventure quest book for kids ages 5 -10 yrs old, I really want to tie the book together with the characters on the shirts.

What themes/looks/styles do you see your brand moving away from? And what are the hot ones among fans?
LB Right now, we aren’t moving away from any styles per say, but we are working on a new line that should be out for viewing shortly. As far as our best selling designs among fans, that would have to be the “Ants in a maze” designs. Kids as well as parents love it!

Which design would you or Jalen recommend? Jalen’s favorite, maybe?
JB I recommend “An Aviator Baby” from the new line A Boys World, that is his favorite.

Estilo Lab’s full collection is available on their website, EstiloLab.com for a rather reasonable $25.00 a piece.  Below are SoJones.com’s favorites.  If you like Jalen’s artwork, visit his website at www.theartofjkb.com.