The legendary story of MR FLIKS

The extraordinary tale of Mr. Fliks unfolds from the historical records of Redondo Beach, California, USA. Nestled just south of Los Angeles, this iconic beach town is celebrated for its laid-back atmosphere and its distinctive horseshoe-shaped pier.

The earliest reference to Mr. Fliks surfaced in the 2019 publication "Vintage T-shirts" by Lightning Archives. Among the initial finds in this research endeavor was a yellow T-shirt emblazoned with "Mr. Flicks" in vibrant red.

This T-shirt, crafted from 100% cotton, is dated back to the late 1960s, specifically between 1967 and 1968, aligning perfectly with the infamous "Summer of Love." During the summer of 1967, approximately 100,000 young individuals, later known as "hippies," converged in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district. This gathering marked a pivotal moment of counterculture, symbolizing a collective yearning for freedom, love, and peace amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War and widespread social upheaval.

The era witnessed a stark contrast between the peace-driven protests of the "Flower Children" and the war veterans who returned home, adopting the M-65 Field Jacket, a military garment, as a symbol of peace and counter-culture. This trend of reappropriating military items extended to other gear, reflecting a broader movement to redefine war symbols as emblems of peace and civilian life.

Within this transformative period, the narrative of Mr. Fliks emerges. A Vietnam War veteran hailing from Redondo Beach, he returned with his military attire and a unique fascination for the vulcanized "Deck Shoes" worn by US Navy personnel. Recognizing the popularity of military-inspired fashion, Mr. Fliks began producing these shoes, adding a subtle nod to his hometown with the inscription "Redondo Beach, CA" and two stars, honoring the Californian night sky, near the ankle bone.

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