Yuk Fun is more than an independent clothing label—it’s a vibrant celebration of artistic imagination, playful design, and hands-on production. With a burst of color and quirky character, their products captivate both your social media feed and wardrobe. Each piece feels playful yet meticulously crafted, exuding joy and originality.
Founded by imaginative duo Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves, the brand’s name holds a meaningful origin: “Yuk” comes from Lucy’s Chinese middle name, symbolizing creation and nurture, while “Fun” ascribes a sense of levity and equilibrium. The even number of letters adds a harmonious visual rhythm that mirrors their design aesthetic.
A Creative Convergence in Leeds
Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves first crossed creative paths at Leeds Metropolitan University, where both pursued a degree in art and design. Though enrolled in the same course, their individual interests led them down distinct creative avenues following graduation. Lucy honed her expertise in sewing, textile crafting, and hands-on garment creation, while Patrick gravitated toward illustration, character design, and visual narratives rich in detail and whimsy.
Years later, a shared desire to build something authentic and joyful brought them back together. This reunion wasn’t just personal—it was an artistic ignition. The result was the birth of Yuk Fun, a studio where their distinct yet compatible talents merged into something bold, colorful, and unapologetically fun. What started as a modest collaboration quickly evolved into a multidimensional design label grounded in individuality, humor, and the tactile satisfaction of creating everything by hand.
Yuk Fun thrives on their complementary abilities. Lucy’s technical mastery of textiles ensures garments are constructed with care, durability, and comfort. Her knowledge of fabric behavior allows for creative designs that move, stretch, and wear beautifully. Meanwhile, Patrick injects a rich visual language into each design. His illustrations are playful, charming, and unmistakably original—often incorporating oddball characters, surreal scenarios, and visual gags that reflect their studio’s personality.
Together, they transform ordinary items into extraordinary pieces that express individuality. Their design studio has become a laboratory of visual experimentation, where screen-printed motifs, vibrant tones, and imaginative characters collide in delightful harmony. This alchemy has helped them connect with an audience seeking something more personal than fast fashion—a growing tribe of people who want their clothes to reflect both joy and story.
The Birth of Yuk Fun and Its Evolution
Yuk Fun officially launched in 2014 with a few T-shirt designs. These early pieces were produced using third-party manufacturers, a common route for many emerging brands. However, challenges soon arose. Colors printed differently than expected, fabric quality didn’t match their standards, and creative control felt limited. Rather than compromise their vision, Lucy and Patrick made a bold decision: they would take over the printing themselves.
Learning screen printing from scratch was no easy task. It required patience, experimentation, and countless test prints. But through hands-on practice, they gradually mastered the technique. This transition was transformative—not just technically, but artistically. It enabled them to explore bolder compositions, unusual color pairings, and intricate layering techniques that would have been impossible to achieve through mass production.
By printing everything in-house, they ensured quality, preserved creative integrity, and gained the freedom to adapt their designs without delay. This independence is now central to Yuk Fun’s identity. Their studio operates as a hybrid space: part textile workshop, part illustration den, and part joyful design hub. Every item is handled with care, from the moment of ideation to the final press of the ink.
Over the years, they expanded their product range. What began with simple tees now includes sweatshirts, trousers, dungarees, tote bags, scarves, jackets, and screen-printed fabric. Their limited-run pieces regularly sell out, a testament to their growing community of fans who appreciate both the aesthetic and ethical value of small-batch, artist-made fashion.
A Playful Approach to Illustration and Garment Design
One of the most defining features of Yuk Fun is their illustration-driven design. Patrick’s sketchbooks are treasure troves of odd creatures, bizarre expressions, and off-kilter shapes. The duo regularly revisits these drawings for new product ideas, choosing ones that evoke laughter or curiosity. Their approach is instinctive and spontaneous—driven by the simple test of, “Does this make us smile?”
Because they screen print by hand, their designs must also be practical to execute. Thin lines or subtle gradients often don’t translate well, so their aesthetic leans into thick outlines, flat colors, and bold contrast. But these limitations have become strengths. Their graphic style is unmistakable: joyous, exaggerated, and visually powerful even at a distance.
Each Yuk Fun garment tells a story. It could be a grinning tiger peeking from a pocket, a dinosaur riding a bike, or a sleepy cat lazing on a cloud. Their work exists in a world where humor and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand—where clothes don’t just look good but lift the mood of the wearer and those around them.
This sense of narrative is deeply rooted in illustration culture. From children’s books to vintage advertising, the duo draws on a wide array of influences. But rather than replicate, they reinterpret—reconstructing familiar visual languages into something uniquely Yuk Fun. Their designs have a rare ability to evoke nostalgia and novelty simultaneously.
Inspiration from Folk Art, Animation, and Design History
Yuk Fun’s visual vocabulary is rich and layered. They cite inspiration from Chinese folk art, known for its symbolic motifs, intricate lines, and celebratory color. This influence is particularly meaningful for Lucy, who draws from her heritage to inform both aesthetics and storytelling. Their designs often reflect the folk tradition’s delight in the everyday and reverence for animals, nature, and humor.
Japanese woodblock printing is another key influence—its precision, flatness, and stylized compositions echo in many of Yuk Fun’s graphics. They also have a deep appreciation for vintage design, particularly mid-century European ephemera such as matchbox labels, travel posters, and advertising prints. These items, once disposable, are now seen as miniature masterpieces of visual storytelling.
Their love for Studio Ghibli’s films is evident in the whimsy and warmth of their creations. Like Ghibli, Yuk Fun finds beauty in quiet moments and eccentric characters. Their work exudes a similar sense of magical realism—an everyday world viewed through a lens of playful imagination.
They continuously draw inspiration from contemporary illustrators as well. Through their blog series, Illustration We Love, they spotlight artists like Arina Shabanova, Ashwin Chacko, Taro Oono, Holly St Clair, and Alfonso de Anda—highlighting diverse voices and fresh visual languages. These exchanges not only enrich their practice but also build bridges within the creative community.
The Dora Collection: A Feline Muse Brought to Life
Their latest collection is inspired by their cat, Dora—a fuzzy ball of curiosity and mischief who has become something of a studio mascot. Dora’s antics and expressions serve as the muse for a line of garments that include T-shirts, scarves, jackets, trousers, and delightfully designed dungarees.
The Dora Collection celebrates the quirks and charm of feline behavior—be it a sideways glance, a playful pounce, or a languid stretch in a sunbeam. It’s a tribute to a pet, yes, but also a celebration of companionship and joy. These garments go beyond fashion—they're storytelling pieces, filled with hidden details and character-based designs that fans find endlessly endearing.
Each item in the collection is screen printed with loving precision. The thick outlines and saturated colors capture Dora’s expressions perfectly, making each design pop. The collection reflects everything Yuk Fun stands for: authenticity, humor, quality, and that ever-present dose of the unexpected.
Dream Safari and the Spirit of Creative Curation
In 2018, Yuk Fun organized their first group exhibition, Dream Safari—an ambitious effort that brought together some of their favorite illustrators and designers. The show was a visual adventure, filled with surreal environments, quirky characters, and bright colors. It was a celebration of independent creativity and imaginative freedom.
Curating the show gave Lucy and Patrick a new outlet to express their creative vision beyond fashion. They embraced the role of creative connectors, providing a platform for others while showcasing the aesthetic DNA of Yuk Fun. It also deepened their understanding of visual storytelling across mediums, informing their own designs with new perspectives.
Another milestone was the release of their 20-page screen printing guide in collaboration with Design For Today. This illustrated booklet demystified the screen printing process, showing readers how to set up a DIY studio on a budget. It was packed with practical advice and light-hearted humor—a reflection of their belief that creativity should be accessible and fun.
Expanding Horizons While Staying True
As Yuk Fun grows, their focus remains on deepening creative impact rather than chasing scale. They’re actively pursuing illustration commissions and hope to collaborate with product-based brands that share their love for character-driven storytelling and visually expressive design. Packaging design, in particular, holds appeal for its balance of utility and artistic expression.
They also continue to explore live streaming on platforms like Instagram and Twitch. These sessions offer fans a direct view into the creative process—whether it’s a new print coming to life, a behind-the-scenes tour of their studio, or simply a candid discussion about favorite tools and techniques. This transparency strengthens the bond between creators and audience, turning customers into loyal community members.
Future dreams include another group exhibition and perhaps a book compiling their artwork and process over the years. Whatever direction they pursue, one thing is clear: Yuk Fun will continue to honor the values they began with—joyful design, handcrafted quality, and a refusal to take creativity too seriously.
Their journey is a reminder that great design doesn’t always come from big factories or corporate teams. Sometimes, it comes from two imaginative people in a small studio, printing one shirt at a time, guided by a cat named Dora and an unshakable belief in the power of playful ideas.
Taking Production into Their Own Hands
When Yuk Fun first emerged onto the independent fashion scene in 2014, it did so with a humble lineup of illustrated T-shirts. These early designs, infused with offbeat humor and vivid imagery, were printed using outsourced manufacturing services. At the time, relying on third-party suppliers seemed like the logical choice for a small, emerging creative studio. Yet it didn’t take long for Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves to recognize the shortcomings of this arrangement. They encountered persistent issues such as unreliable color reproduction, inconsistent garment quality, and delayed turnaround times. These complications weren't just logistical—they directly compromised the integrity of their artistic vision.
Refusing to let these constraints define their brand, the pair made a pivotal decision that would forever alter the trajectory of Yuk Fun: they would bring all production in-house. This bold pivot toward independence wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it was a philosophical shift. By learning the craft of screen printing themselves, Lucy and Patrick redefined what creative autonomy looked like. The process was intricate and physically demanding, requiring time, effort, and experimentation. Yet every ink-stained afternoon in their home studio was a step closer to building something wholly authentic and unmistakably their own.
This shift granted them an extraordinary level of control over the final product. Every hue, every contour, and every design element could now be scrutinized, adjusted, and perfected. They were no longer at the mercy of generic suppliers—they had full control over fabric choices, color mixes, registration accuracy, and final presentation. Screen printing became more than just a method; it evolved into a central part of their brand identity, reinforcing their commitment to craftsmanship, tactile detail, and artistic integrity.
Their growing proficiency in screen printing catalyzed a creative evolution. No longer restricted to basic T-shirts, Yuk Fun began expanding into sweatshirts, tote bags, scarves, jackets, corduroy trousers, and whimsical dungarees. They even started printing on fabric yards, allowing them to create custom textiles from scratch and design completely original garments from the ground up. This not only diversified their product range but also unlocked endless avenues for storytelling through clothing.
Mastering the Medium of Screen Printing
Screen printing offered Yuk Fun a platform to elevate their ideas with precision and personality. Unlike digital printing, which can sometimes feel flat or impersonal, screen printing adds texture, dimension, and a sense of handcrafted charm. Each item becomes a limited-edition canvas, rich with subtle imperfections that speak to the handmade process.
Lucy and Patrick embraced this medium wholeheartedly. They explored different mesh counts, emulsion techniques, squeegee pressures, and drying times. They learned how ink behaves on various textiles and how layering colors could create unexpected optical effects. These nuanced discoveries enabled them to build a distinctive visual language that resonated with fans of handcrafted fashion, independent illustration, and DIY artistry.
More importantly, mastering screen printing allowed them to adapt their illustrations more effectively for fabric. Patrick’s whimsical drawings—often filled with bold characters, strange creatures, and playful scenes—transformed beautifully when printed with thick, vibrant inks. The need for high-contrast graphics encouraged them to simplify complex ideas into clean, punchy compositions. This discipline of design led to visual consistency across their collections, building a recognizable style that audiences quickly grew to adore.
Developing a Unique Brand Language
With control over production and an evolving artistic style, Yuk Fun gradually shaped a brand language that felt original and coherent. Their designs weren't just visually captivating; they told stories. Each piece could evoke a narrative, a mood, or an inside joke. Whether it was a scarf with a dancing cat or dungarees adorned with surreal plant creatures, Yuk Fun garments invited the wearer into a playful alternate universe.
Their screen-printed visuals merged seamlessly with garment shapes chosen for comfort, wearability, and expression. Rather than tailoring their ideas to fit existing fashion norms, Lucy and Patrick built garments around their art. This reversal of the traditional fashion process gave their collections an authenticity rarely found in larger brands.
The brand began to reflect its founders' personalities: quirky, approachable, and deeply creative. Customers connected with Yuk Fun not just because of the products, but because of the story behind them. The studio's visual identity—rooted in handcraft, independent design, and illustration—felt refreshing in a fashion world often dominated by minimalism or trend-chasing aesthetics.
Embracing Small-Batch Ethics and Slow Fashion
By committing to in-house production, Yuk Fun also made a quiet but powerful statement about ethical manufacturing. In contrast to fast fashion’s breakneck production cycles and mass replication, their process was deliberate and small-scale. Each item was produced in limited numbers, often only in small batches, ensuring quality over quantity and minimizing waste.
Their approach embodied the values of slow fashion—a growing movement that prioritizes transparency, sustainability, and thoughtful consumption. Every Yuk Fun item was a labor of love, touched by the artists from conception to completion. Customers didn’t just buy a product; they invested in the process and the people behind it.
This ethical stance extended beyond production to the materials they used. Lucy and Patrick made conscious decisions when sourcing garments, inks, and packaging, often choosing local or environmentally friendly options whenever possible. Their studio became a microcosm of responsible creativity, where artistry and ethics coexisted in harmony.
Experimentation as Creative Liberation
One of the most liberating aspects of taking control of production was the ability to experiment without fear. Without the constraints of minimum order quantities or external timelines, Yuk Fun could explore new ideas freely. They could test a quirky design on a single sweatshirt, try an unusual color combo, or release spontaneous micro-collections inspired by seasonal moods or random sketchbook finds.
This flexibility resulted in unexpected breakthroughs. Some of their most beloved products began as casual experiments or spontaneous concepts. Because they were hands-on at every stage, they could respond to creative impulses in real-time. This made the brand feel alive, constantly evolving, and uniquely human.
From glow-in-the-dark prints to reversible totes, from multi-layer designs to garment dye experiments, every creative risk added depth to Yuk Fun’s design vocabulary. Their willingness to play, fail, and adapt is part of what endears them to their audience and sets them apart in a competitive marketplace.
Building a Studio That Reflects Their Vision
The Yuk Fun studio isn’t just a workplace—it’s an extension of the brand itself. Every corner reflects the duo’s love of color, whimsy, and tactile design. Shelves stacked with inks, drying racks filled with printed fabric, walls pinned with sketches and test prints—all speak to a life immersed in creative practice.
This space isn’t optimized for efficiency—it’s optimized for exploration. Their home studio has evolved over time, with new tools, presses, and storage solutions being added as needed. Despite the humble size, the studio is a hub of possibility. Here, designs are imagined, drawn, printed, sewn, packed, and sent out to fans around the world.
Their hands-on method fosters a direct connection with their customers. They often share snippets of their process on social media—inking a screen, pulling a fresh print, folding a new batch of totes—giving followers insight into the labor, joy, and skill that go into every piece. This transparency creates loyalty, trust, and a sense of intimacy between brand and buyer.
Inspirations Grounded in Folk, Animation, and Eclectic Illustration
Yuk Fun’s creative identity is shaped by an intricately layered fusion of artistic traditions, vintage aesthetics, and contemporary illustration. Their designs do not emerge from trends or fleeting visual gimmicks but rather from a profound appreciation for visual storytelling traditions that stretch across time and cultures. From ancient iconography to mid-century advertising, Yuk Fun’s artistic universe is as diverse as it is deliberate.
At the heart of their visual language is a deep connection to Chinese folk art. This influence is evident in the decorative motifs, symbolic use of animals, and balanced compositions that frequently appear in their work. Folk art emphasizes storytelling through repetition, color symbolism, and handcrafted imperfection—all qualities that resonate with Yuk Fun’s handmade philosophy. The duo finds inspiration in this tradition’s respect for nature, community, and allegorical themes, using it to inject both cultural richness and emotional resonance into their designs.
Japanese woodblock printing is another cornerstone of their aesthetic framework. The precision, flat fields of color, and emphasis on linework typical of this style provide a technical and stylistic model for screen printing. Yuk Fun adapts the principles of ukiyo-e into their own process, maintaining simplicity in composition while allowing space for narrative elements. Their use of negative space, stylized figures, and bold contour lines are nods to this centuries-old practice, reimagined through the lens of wearable illustration.
The Influence of Studio Ghibli and the Magic of Motion
Among their more contemporary influences, Studio Ghibli occupies a cherished place in Yuk Fun’s creative cosmos. The legendary animation studio is known for its emotionally rich storytelling, lovingly detailed settings, and an ability to blend the mundane with the magical. Lucy and Patrick draw inspiration from the way Ghibli captures the personality of everyday objects, the liveliness of animals, and the whimsical quirks of rural life.
What makes this influence so enduring is its alignment with Yuk Fun’s own approach to design—blurring the line between fantasy and familiarity. Their characters often feel like they’ve stepped out of a Ghibli frame: odd, curious, and unafraid to embrace silliness. This affinity for animation also influences how they think about movement in their garments. Yuk Fun designs are not static prints—they interact with the human body, draping and shifting, bringing characters and motifs to life as the wearer moves.
Visual Archaeology: Digging into Vintage Design History
Another rich wellspring of inspiration for Yuk Fun lies in the realm of historical graphic design. They have a particular fondness for mid-20th-century European poster art and ephemera, especially the playful, character-driven works of Raymond Savignac, Sándor Lengyel, and Hervé Morvan. These artists brought humor and personality to print advertisements, often using expressive type, abstract forms, and anthropomorphic creatures to deliver visual messages that lingered in the viewer’s imagination.
For Yuk Fun, these vintage pieces serve as design blueprints—not for replication but for reinterpretation. The pair often studies the color palettes, compositional flow, and narrative tone of these works, translating them into modern-day prints that carry a similar charm. Their garments often include whimsical mascots or surreal scenes that feel plucked from a forgotten travel poster or toy packaging from the 1960s. They embrace the slightly off-register look of traditional printing techniques, reinforcing their handmade, screen-printed ethos.
Even lesser-known sources like 1970s Eastern European children’s book illustrations make their way into Yuk Fun’s mood boards. These books, with their surreal environments and wonky characters, evoke a sense of magical realism that aligns perfectly with the brand’s desire to create something both nostalgic and unexpected. It’s in this collision of high-brow and kitsch, nostalgia and novelty, that Yuk Fun finds its richest creative terrain.
The Collectible Appeal of Matchbox Art and Ephemera
Few design forms capture the power of compact storytelling as well as vintage matchbox labels. These pocket-sized artworks, often overlooked in mainstream design history, are visual gems filled with color, wit, and concise communication. Yuk Fun treats these labels as miniature case studies in playful design—learning how to convey narrative, personality, and humor within strict dimensional and color constraints.
They are particularly drawn to the slightly uncanny or exaggerated aesthetics of Soviet-era matchboxes and Japanese collectible packaging. These often featured strange animals, anthropomorphic fruits, and abstract patterns rendered in bold linework—a natural fit for Yuk Fun’s visual palette. The ability to be charming, odd, and graphically strong all at once is something the brand continually explores in its own illustrations.
These influences manifest not only in Yuk Fun’s visuals but in the structure of their collections. Many items feel like collector’s pieces—limited-edition garments, character-based designs, or themed series that invite fans to seek out each unique variant. Just like vintage ephemera, their products spark the desire to preserve and appreciate small, beautiful things in a world of digital excess.
Celebrating Contemporary Illustration Through Curation
While much of their aesthetic is rooted in the past, Yuk Fun also maintains a dynamic connection to contemporary illustration. Through their blog series Illustration We Love, they highlight artists who are reshaping the visual landscape with fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. These interviews are more than just appreciation—they are conversations that feed Yuk Fun’s own artistic growth.
Each artist featured offers a unique contribution to the brand’s ever-expanding influences. Ashwin Chacko’s surreal compositions and joyful chaos echo Yuk Fun’s love of vibrant unpredictability. Arina Shabanova’s soft yet complex color schemes bring emotional nuance to simple forms. Holly St Clair’s dreamlike illustrations explore texture and shape in a way that complements Yuk Fun’s graphic rhythm. Taro Oono and Alfonso de Anda both share an experimental spirit, embracing bold contrasts and layered narratives that inspire Yuk Fun to continuously push the boundaries of its screen-printed universe.
These relationships with other illustrators form a kind of creative ecosystem. Yuk Fun isn't a closed-off brand; it is porous, collaborative, and responsive. The duo uses their platform to share not only their own work but the creative lineage they are part of—supporting a broader community that values art as expression, not just commodity.
Translating Art Into Wearable Narratives
At its core, Yuk Fun is an attempt to make illustration wearable. The challenge they’ve embraced is not only to create compelling art, but to adapt it across the complex surfaces of clothing. A flat image behaves differently when it wraps around a shoulder, follows the pleats of a skirt, or hides in the lining of a jacket. Yuk Fun takes this challenge head-on, designing illustrations that remain bold and communicative in motion.
Each collection tells a visual story. The placement of graphics is intentional, and characters often interact with the garment’s structure—peeking from pockets, climbing seams, or spanning sleeves. This integration makes every garment feel like a living illustration, one that evolves with the wearer’s body language.
Their ability to merge illustration and fashion design distinguishes them in the landscape of independent clothing brands. Yuk Fun doesn’t just print designs on garments—they build the garments to accommodate and enhance the art. The result is a product that’s more than functional—it’s expressive, collectible, and narrative-driven.
From Inspiration to Innovation
As Yuk Fun continues to evolve, their approach to inspiration remains deeply rooted in curiosity. They view design history not as something to emulate but as a springboard for invention. With every collection, Lucy and Patrick revisit old influences with fresh eyes, reinterpret them for new formats, and create pieces that feel both familiar and startlingly original.
Their future plans include diving deeper into textile development, creating their own illustrated fabrics for custom clothing, and exploring other forms of storytelling—perhaps through zines, animated content, or home goods. Regardless of medium, their guiding principle remains the same: to make art joyful, tactile, and inclusive.
Yuk Fun’s visual inspirations are not just reference points; they are part of a larger design philosophy that values storytelling, cultural hybridity, and playful disruption. In a world where inspiration is often fleeting or surface-level, Yuk Fun’s deep, thoughtful engagement with the visual past and present makes their work enduringly vibrant and refreshingly human.
Crafting Designs That Spark Delight
At its core, Yuk Fun is fueled by a cheerful rebelliousness. “Art that sparks laughter or wonder” is their mantra. They scour Patrick’s sketchbooks, salvaging oddball doodles, funny creatures, and silly scenarios. If a scribble makes them laugh, it earns a spot in the design orbit.
Screen printing constraints—thin lines can fade or misregister—shape their aesthetic. Their solution: exuberant graphic strokes and robust outlines. The result is punchy, tactile imagery that translates beautifully onto fabric. The thick graphic quality becomes both a stylistic choice and a practical necessity—the perfect marriage of form and function.
Introducing Dora: Feline Muse and Collection Theme
Their latest theme, the Dora Collection, pays homage to their cat Dora, who has become Yuk Fun’s most bassically adored mascot. Dora’s animated whiskers and mischievous gaze appear across T-shirts, scarves, trousers, jackets, and charming corduroy dungarees. Each garment celebrates Dora’s playful spirit, whether through her wide-eyed curiosity, dramatic tail flicks, or sleepy cat naps.
This homage to Dora isn't just adorable; it embodies Yuk Fun’s ethos of warmth and personality. Customers can literally wear a bit of feline fun—each piece is a conversation starter, a source of smiles, and a wearable tribute to a cherished companion.
Curating the Dream Safari Exhibition and DIY Print Guide
In 2018, Yuk Fun hosted the Dream Safari exhibition—a curated showcase featuring illustrators they admired. The event spotlighted unconventional voices in visual art, bringing together explosively colorful works from rising and established talents. It was described as "cohesive yet wildly varied, whimsical yet heartfelt." The event left a lasting impression on attendees and on Yuk Fun themselves—though, as Lucy recalls, "It was amazing—and exhausting!”
Another labor of love: a DIY screen printing book collaboration with Design For Today. Over the course of months, Patrick crafted a 20-page guide showing cost-effective ways to bring screen printing into your own home. The guide is rich with step-by-step layouts, playful diagrams, and troubleshooting tips—authentic, approachable, and inspiring.
Future Horizons: Illustration Commissions, Packaging, and Live Streaming
Looking ahead, Lucy and Patrick are eager to expand their creative impact. They’re open to illustrative commissions—whether editorial, packaging, or product design. Packaging design holds particular allure; they find beauty in structural graphics and visual identity, and are excited at the idea of creating bespoke designs for consumer brands.
Though pandemic-related constraints delayed their next exhibition, their passion remains. Meanwhile, they’ve embraced digital engagement through live streaming on Instagram and Twitch. These sessions mix studio work, conversation, printing demos, and Q&A, creating dynamic connection with their audience. Their streams are unscripted, visually rich, and warmly congenial.
Commitment to Quality, Joy, and DIY Ethos
Yuk Fun isn’t chasing fleeting trends. Their process emphasizes skill, care, and authenticity—from hand-screened prints and rigorous color matching to sourcing fabric and packaging sustainably.
Their aesthetic—a blend of lively hues, bold lines, and off-kilter humor—has garnered international cult status. Customers love the unexpected details: a smile-inducing lining print, a surprise Dora silhouette, or an inside label illustrated with hand-drawn motifs. Their pieces aren’t just clothes—they’re wearable art that invite interaction and delight.
Community, Collaboration, and Continuing the Fun
Yuk Fun’s creative operations are fueled by community. Their blog interviews foster artistic camaraderie, often resulting in collaborative projects such as zines, patch designs, and limited-edition apparel. They’ve worked with small artists to release co-created tees, tote bags, and screen-printed postcards in collectible batches—each with subtle variations that make them unique.
Their social media showcases behind-the-scenes printing footage, color-mixing experiments, bundling pratfalls, and studio tidbits. These candid moments humanize the brand and deepen emotional connection with their audience. For many followers, Yuk Fun feels like a creative friend—someone sharing their process and inviting others into their radiant world.
Summoning Smiles Through Objects That Speak
At the heart of Yuk Fun’s practice is a simple idea: design should spark delight. They ask, “How can we make someone grin?” They channel this through smiling tigers, goofy cats, wavy mushrooms, and surreal optical patterns—each magnetic in its own right.
They creatively challenge the notion that clothes must be serious or minimal. Their ethos is consciously joyful: bright color blocking, irreverent patterns, and playful typography appear in unexpected contexts. Their design encourages people to wear joy unapologetically.
Why Yuk Fun Resonates
In an age of mass production and digital overload, Yuk Fun’s handcrafted garments—and their stories—stand out. Every tee or sweatshirt embodies a moment of laughter, a conversation, or a curious glance. Buyers appreciate that their purchase supports small-scale production, local creativity, and tangible effort. They enjoy owning pieces conceived, drawn, printed, and sold by a two-person team.
This dynamic resonates particularly with audiences who seek identity, individuality, and intentional consumption—creating a bond between maker and wearer. Yuk Fun is more than a brand; it’s a community of creative appreciation.
Final Thoughts:
Yuk Fun is more than just an independent fashion label—it's a heartfelt fusion of creativity, humor, and authenticity that stands as a vibrant antidote to mass-produced monotony. Through their hand-printed garments and playful visual storytelling, Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves have carved out a space where design and joy intersect in refreshingly original ways.
What makes Yuk Fun truly special is their unwavering commitment to doing things differently. At a time when automation and fast fashion dominate, they’ve chosen a slower, more meaningful path. They screen print every item themselves, work within the joyful constraints of DIY methods, and focus on quality over quantity. Each shirt, tote, or pair of dungarees is imbued with a personality all its own—making every purchase feel like a discovery, not a transaction.
But it’s not just the tangible products that resonate. Yuk Fun invites you into their process: sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, hosting livestreams, writing blog interviews, and connecting with illustrators and customers alike. This transparency turns the brand into a welcoming creative community, not just a commercial endeavor. Their illustrations are funny, odd, and endearing in ways that remind us that art doesn’t have to be serious to be powerful.
They draw from a visual world that spans continents and centuries—from Chinese folk traditions and Japanese printmaking to retro European posters and childhood nostalgia. That rich, global heritage blends with their own personal storytelling, resulting in work that feels both deeply individual and universally uplifting. The Dora Collection, for instance, pays tribute to their cat in a way that is personal yet relatable, embodying the brand’s signature blend of wit, warmth, and wonder.
As Yuk Fun looks to the future—whether through packaging collaborations, more illustration commissions, or new forms of community engagement—their trajectory continues to be guided by passion, play, and purpose. Their presence in the independent art and fashion scene proves that success can stem from staying small, staying curious, and staying true to what makes you smile.
In every stitch, print, and brushstroke, Yuk Fun reminds us that fashion can be art, and art can be fun. Their journey is a celebration of creative freedom, and their story is far from over.
