Capsule Interview Series: Barking Irons

You’ve no doubt seen Vince rocking Barking Irons on HBO’s Entourage, passed by the design studio on Bowery, or spotted the signature crossed pistols all over the streets of LA and NYC. The western inspired line received much shine last year from the New York Times article, The Brand Underground, and has since been taking the casual-chic world on a wild ride. They’ve evolved past Ts into all kinds of gorgeous lifestyle gear (19th century spoon jewelry anyone?), all culling inspiration from the days of old.

Designer Danial Casarella answers some questions about the brand and his personal creative philosophy:

PSFK: Why did you start designing?

Daniel Casarella: I started designing because I couldn’t see anyone creating the kind of clothes that I wanted to buy.

How did you get involved with Capsule?

I think a homeless man told me on the street one day that there was this new show Capsule. So I said f*ck it, if he says I should do it, then I will.

What’s the inspiration/idea/theme behind this season?

Walt Whitman.

What would you be doing if you weren’t designing?

Probably a fireman. . .or a fisherman. Any job that begins with ‘F.’

What do you usually turn to for inspiration?

Music, but my music inspiration must be hidden since it is a 20th century thing. Other inspirations come from my 19th century heroes. And my lovely girlfriend.

What other designers/artists (of any kind) do you admire and why?

I’m glad to know Stefan Miljanich who runs Gilded Age, and Chris Isenberg from No Mas. Them are good fellows, yep. And the Kings of Leon. Talented bunch.

What film/television has been inspiring you lately?

None. All sh*t. PBS is as close as I get to ‘watching tv’. And even then I have to get high.

How does music influence your design process?

Music influences in so many ways its hard to articulate. There is of course this energy that you get from a really top tune. Like how most Italians become invincible when they hear the Rocky theme.

What kind of music would you say “fits” your brand, if any?

Leadbelly, Ramones, Alice in Chains, Tom Waits, Joy Division, The Kings of Leon, The Jam, Jim Carroll, The Modern Lovers, . .. . Music and Barking Irons go together like chicken and Chinese broccoli.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Eton Rifles by the Jam and a lot of Kings coming off the show they did here with us a few weeks ago. Some Judas Priest too. And Wilco.

Where’s the most exciting music coming from right now and why?

I’ll always have a place in my heart for Manchester England. What a f*cking town. How many classic bands came from there? Right now, I may not be on the pulse but I don’t see just one spot where more than a few bands are coming from. Everything is so fractured.

What was the last show you went to?

Kings of Leon, Roseland. Wilco is next.

If you could go back in time five years and give yourself some advice, what would it be?

Holy sh*t. I’d punch myself in the face and say listen to me man!!! Invest in Google and get a f*cking MERCHANDISER!!! No, seriously there is a ton of sh*t I could have done better. But hey, that’s being young.

Check out Barking Irons at the Capsule fashion show on July 23rd/24th; or buy now at Revolve.