A few months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Giavanna, or to their friends and loved ones, Geeg. Geeg came over to try on the TINA COMBOS and we had a blast. I found out that they had worked at Levis doing alterations, but also they do custom embroidery work (@notforreproduction) BUT ALSO they have a shop in LA with their best friend Halsey (@gimme_greens), called Customland! I love the idea for their shop. A spot to shop and get custom embroidery and airbrush work done, but also host a workshop or a clothing swap! Retail shops can be so boring but Customland is anything but…..I couldn’t wait to find out more!
Could you two introduce yourselves?
Customland was started and founded in LA by two best friends as a no rules custom garment shop specializing in airbrush and embroidery. We were both artists originally creating our own works for several years, but we decided to combine our skills in the fall of 2021 to create CUStomLAannnnnd!
Halsey is originally from St. Pete, Florida, and first started making art when she was 18. Her journey began with graffiti as a writer and then evolved into painting on clothes when she started Gimme Greens 4 years ago. She draws inspiration from everyday things like street signs, grocery bags, and smiley faces. Breathing nostalgia into everything she makes and never afraid to mess up, because “mistakes cost extra”. She’s also a musician and has a band with her husband Matt called Blestian. She creates all the artwork and merch for the band using diy techniques she’s learned over time like handmade sticker packs and screen-printed tees.
Geeg is originally from Cumming, GA, and has always been obsessed with clothes and fashion. They followed this passion by receiving a BFA in Textiles from Georgia State University. While in school, they studied abroad at the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Court Palace, and fell in love with embroidery. After graduation, they got a job at a small batch factory designing sports apparel. While Geeg learned a lot at the factory, they were ready for something new. They then got the opportunity to work for Levi’s as a Tailor in Los Angeles and worked there until the pandemic. During quarantine, they started Not For Reproduction to create one-of-a-kind embroidered and custom pieces.
How did you two meet and what led you to open the shop?
Geeg and Halsey met through instagram in the middle of 2020. It all started when their mutual friend Zig Zag Goods posted about Gimme Greens. Geeg commented on one of Halsey’s posts about maybe making some work together, so Halsey sent Geeg some shirts she had drawn on for Geeg to embroider. The shirts became this fun back and forth collaboration and the first time they combined their skills. The pair finally met in person the summer of 2021 when the shirts were completed and they photographed them at Geeg’s studio. They instantly became friends after discovering their shared love of the reality show Survivor and immediately started looking for a studio together. Customland happened by chance. They found a studio and it just happened to also have a storefront, and so Customland was born!!
I really love that you all are reimagining what it is to be a retail store. Your focus seems to be showcasing the work of your friends and community, but also hosting events where folks can not only shop but are invited to learn and be a part of activities and workshops. How do you all define what you're doing?
Aww! Thank you! Our goal with Customland is to keep it fun and inclusive. We both wanted a safe space to create and opened our doors to others because we realized the power of a physical space for artists to display and sell their work. We’re also passionate about sharing our own knowledge to empower others to make and create. Community is key and we know we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our own communities. We’ve had a few events including vendor markets with music, clothing swaps, a beading workshop, and most recently an album release/ karaoke party! Definitely looking forward to hosting more workshops, clothing swaps, and other fun creative parties we haven’t even thought of yet!!! You never know what shenanigans we may get into over here!
Are there shops that you look to for inspiration?
Wow, there are so many. It’s hard to choose! We’re mainly so inspired by our friends and the other creators we carry in the shop. Zig Zag Goods, Need Things recycle, Owlephant, Poor Baby Fashion, Sweetbead, Honeymoon Supply, Ster_projects, Good Sport!! Seriously so many!!
But also → Big Bud Press, Fashion Brand Company, Mokuyobi, Espo’s Art World, Rat Star, Laser Kitten,
Can you describe a fantasy event at the shop?
Haha well!!! It is our dream to host a full moon gathering/ build-a-bear-workshop type deal where everyone makes their own freaky stuffed animal friend out of 1/1 original plushies we made at the shop and then you know.. Make a wish on the heart and sew it in… would be so cute!! And total magical dream event <3
What’s your vision for the future of the shop?
Our vision for the future of the shop is for people to think of Customland first for all their custom embroidery and airbrush needs, or to shop pieces they know are one of a kind and could only get here! We would love to have friends constantly visiting like you never know who may stop by! And to see some other Customlands sprinkled around the world and run by other local artists doing some type of customization. Sort of like an artist residency of revolving artists offering different techniques for customization at each Customland location. These are big goals of course, but those are our ultimate dreams for our little shop :)