REDONDO-CANVA WLB

The extraordinary story of Mr. Fliks begins with historical documents from Redondo Beach, California, USA.

Located just south of Los Angeles, this iconic beach town is celebrated for its relaxed atmosphere and distinctive horseshoe-shaped pier.

The first reference to Mr. Fliks emerged in the 2019 publication "Vintage T-shirts" by Lightning Archives. Among the initial discoveries in this research was a yellow T-shirt with "Mr. Fliks" written in bright red.

This T-shirt, made of 100% cotton, dates back to the late 1960s, specifically 1967 and 1968, perfectly aligning with the famous "Summer of Love."

During the summer of 1967, around 100,000 young people, later known as "hippies," gathered in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.

This gathering marked a pivotal moment for the counterculture, symbolizing a collective desire for freedom, love and peace amid the Vietnam War and widespread social unrest.

The era witnessed a stark contrast between the peaceful protests of the "Flower Children" and returning war veterans, when the M-65 army field jacket became a symbol of peace and counterculture. This trend of reclaiming military items extended to other clothing, reflecting a broader movement to redefine war symbols as emblems of peace and civilian life.

In this period of transformation, the narrative of Mr. Fliks emerges. A Vietnam War veteran from Redondo Beach, he returned with his military uniform and a particular fascination for the vulcanized deck shoes worn by the U.S. Navy personnel. Recognizing the popularity of military-inspired fashion, Mr. Fliks began producing these shoes, adding a subtle tribute to his hometown with the inscription "Redondo Beach, CA" and two stars, honoring the Californian night sky, near the ankle.

Thus, the legend of Mr. Fliks intertwines with the cultural changes of the 1960s, embodying the transition from war to peace and from military utility to civilian fashion.