Fashion | Brand Focus: The Fandango Club
In this month’s Brand Focus, we speak to underground music platform and clothing company, The Fandango Club, about its garden-party beginnings and developing for the future
Back in 2014, Harry Nurse found himself immersed in London’s underground dance music scene. Captivated and intoxicated by the capital’s clubbing culture, Nurse wanted in. “I worked in retail and my manager at the time was a DJ who was always playing and putting on underground parties,” Nurse says. “I decided I wanted to somehow be involved more, so I launched TFC.” The launch of the brand happened in Nurse’s back garden, with a load of OG shirts and close friends: “From then I knew it was something special.”
Following its founding, the brand garnered attention — and fast. “People seemed to love the idea of being part of a club where like-minded people could share their love for music and fashion,” Nurse remembers. “Me and my friends would always see someone wearing TFC at a rave or festival, and I always made sure I went up to them, thanked them, and welcomed them to the club.”
The brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings. In 2017, TFC teamed up with the now-defunct Sankeys Ibiza for a range of t-shirts and tote bags to sell from the terrace shop during the summer season. Sported by the likes of Solid Grooves head honcho Michael Bibi, De La Swing, Skream, and FUSE favourites Fabe and Seb Zito, the clothing line remains embedded firmly in its dance music foundations.
When it comes to the garments themselves, simplicity is the key to Nurse’s design process. “I like to keep things modern and minimal when it comes to designs and collabs,” he says, “I feel like that suits the brand and style of music we promote.” From bootleg Bunny logos to acid house smilies, the designs are littered with nods to the sounds and culture of the underground. One of their most recent collaborations, with Southend’s Fraise Records, features a range of trippy slipmats and tees.
As well as running the clothing line, Nurse wants to build on the idea that TFC can be a network and platform for artists. The brand currently hosts a Soundcloud mix series, which has featured Jada, Raru and Kepler, and TFC intend to use it as a springboard. “I’d really like to focus more on music and artists,” he says, “possibly with more parties too, and really developing on TFC being a music platform rather than just a clothing brand.
“When the time is right, and COVID restrictions have lifted a bit more, I would love to do a pop-up a bit like our first ever party,” he continues. “Limited merch, special guests, and of course all club members who have supported The Fandango Club from the beginning.”
Keep up to date with the latest drops from The Fandango Club via Instagram, and shop the full store here.
