Fashion has always found its most interesting ideas on the fringes, in the subcultures, underground scenes and creative communities operating beyond the industry's usual gatekeepers. Snarkeez belongs firmly to this world. Conceived in 2018 amid the alternative art and music scene of Wynwood, Miami, the independent label draws on Gothic romanticism, cyberpunk, dark academia and retro-futurism to develop its eclectic visual identity. Across its collections, mourning lace, metallic surfaces, theatrical silhouettes and punk sensibilities coexist in an unapologetic celebration of outsider fashion. Behind the aesthetic is a designer whose disenchantment with the fashion establishment has become a driving force in building a creative world of their own.
Snarkeez has a willingness to experiment with materials that conventional fashion would overlook. In their experiments, aluminium can tabs are crocheted into metallic vests, discarded plastic bags become yarn, and clothing is reconstructed into entirely new silhouettes. Their clothes are a distinctive response to the environment fashion perpetuates - perfection only.
There is something so inherently punk about this resourcefulness, recalling the DIY traditions that have shaped alternative fashion for decades. For Féroce, the appeal lies in that combination of technical curiosity, subcultural influence and creative independence. Snarkeez isn’t one of those brands that loosely touches on punk sensibilities for a quick buck - cut them and they bleed anti-establishment. And most importantly, Snarkeez doesn’t even want your approval. It exists whether you like it or not, and the design features of their collection speak to a niche subgroup of fashion lovers. If you don’t get it…then you just don’t get it.
We spoke to Snarkeez about finding refuge in underground communities, the possibilities of unconventional materials and the importance of preserving an artistic identity in an industry that so often rewards conformity.
Photo: Chris Hovinga
Tell us about yourself and your vision for Snarkeez.
I would love for Snarkeez to be an underground haven for people who want to express their individuality, stand out and find belonging without having to conform to the standards of the fashion industry or mainstream society in general. I once worked with the fashion elite and grew weary of the fake smiles, the virtue signalling and the nasty attitudes. Snarkeez started as a response to that, and the fact that it is being noticed by those same people justifies its existence.
Snarkeez draws from Gothic, cyberpunk, Dark Academia and retro-futurist aesthetics. How do those influences come together in your visual language?
There isn't really a set way these influences come together. Goth, punk, dark synth and, in fact, any kind of underground art and music that makes up today's alternative culture were prominent in Wynwood, Miami, in 2018, where the idea of Snarkeez was initially conceived. I make an effort to ensure all my individual looks and ensembles reflect those alternative genres, as well as the time and place where the brand originated. It also helps that we became part of the art community there. Wynwood became a place of refuge away from an industry that either offered false promises of "the red carpet", took credit for your work or never paid your invoice.
Do unusual or discarded materials change the way you design compared with conventional textiles?
When I'm using unusual or discarded materials, such as plastic bags, I need to think about reinforcing the final piece because plarn (plastic yarn) can stretch and break. I need to either fully line the piece or run a regular thread alongside the plarn.
Where did the idea for the Cyberpunk Afterlife vest, made from upcycled can pull tabs and plarn, begin?
I came across the pull-tab crochet technique on Pinterest a few years ago in the form of a purse. I thought, wouldn't it be cool to use this technique for something wearable? It took a bit of trial and error, along with measuring on the dress form, to come up with the final dimensions.
What does making one of your handmade pieces look like, from the first idea to the finished garment?
I have two approaches to my handmade designs, depending on whether it's a random idea or an existing piece, or pieces that I want to turn into something new. Whenever it's an idea for a new design, I like to make a quick sketch, then source the materials I need, including fabric, notions and closures. I then make the pattern, either through draping or drafting, and finally cut and sew. The other approach is using existing pieces and turning them into something completely different.
The latest piece was an asymmetrical dress made from two pairs of leggings with a Día de los Muertos print. I took the leggings apart so I'd have flat fabric pieces with straight edges, sewed them together to create an approximate front and back bodice, and draped them on the dress form for the final fit. Then, of course, I cut the sides and sewed everything together.
Which techniques or materials have you been particularly drawn to lately?
Lately, I've gone back to the plarn and crochet technique. I've received a lot of positive responses to those pieces in particular. I have a few new purses in the works. Some are flowers, some are hedgehogs. It's the whimsical side of our otherwise dark aesthetic.
How do you resist the pressure on independent brands to produce new styles at the pace of much larger companies?
Quite frankly, the larger, more established companies have made it a lot easier for us to stay independent. Whenever we insisted on keeping our aesthetic, we were met with scrutiny, told "maybe you're not an exact fit for us right now", or sometimes they simply ghosted us. Snarkeez wears that as more of a badge of honour than an insult, and we're proud to still be independent and able to continue producing art on our own terms.
What is the strangest material you've experimented with, successfully or otherwise?
The strangest material I've experimented with was aluminium cans and wire for a chainmail dress. I cut the cans into squares and used the wire to make a chainmail mesh. It was a successful and striking design. Unfortunately, it was very fragile and difficult to wear. However, it photographs really well for editorials.
Photos by: Chris Hovinga
Our Verdict
For Snarkeez, creative independence remains central to its identity. From crocheted plastic yarn to aluminium chainmail, the label's willingness to experiment reflects a resourcefulness rooted in the DIY traditions of alternative fashion that many brands have lost sight of in 2026. As conversations around sustainability, overproduction and fashion's increasingly homogenised landscape continue, we see Snarkeez finding its place among a growing community of independent designers challenging conventional ideas of what fashion should be and who is accepted into its circle. Its future is perhaps most promising in its refusal to seek approval from the very industry it set out to challenge.
Learn More About Snarkeez Below:
Brand: https://www.snarkeez.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snarkeez/
Kavyar: https://kavyar.com/ia0mjez8gyql
Gallery: https://www.snarkeez.com/gallery