About John Linger:
The Worlds Times: Explain your background and your Company’s in detail.
John Linger: Originally I come from Suriname (South America) but grew up in the Netherlands in a city near Amsterdam. At a young age I was very interested in sports and later specialized in martial arts. I also served in the army for several years. Besides BLACK fashion I still teach as a personal trainer, because I like to encourage other people to improve themselves and to get results.
In 2020 I established the BLACK brand. The BLACK brand is a universal lifestyle brand, which stands for embracing diversity. Right now you see that polarization is increasing all over the world. It shouldn’t matter where you come from, what you believe in or what someone’s preferences are. All colors are represented in BLACK. The Ace represents the highest card in the deck. Stand out for who you are and what you stand for, hence our slogan Black Strong & Bold.
Strength of Black Fashion Brand
Over the next two years, we will further expand the BLACK collection, including sportswear and a line of bags. We work together with young talented designers who we give them a chance to show themselves. After the collection has been realized, we will promote the brand BLACK and our message worldwide.
The Worlds Times: What do you feel is the biggest strength of BLACK Fashion Brand right now?
John Linger: One of BLACK’s greatest strengths is that I am involved in all processes myself. We choose high-quality fabrics, so that the clothing lasts for a longer period of time. Production takes place within Europe at fair prices and good working conditions. We work with a small team who all strive for the same quality and share the same vision.
Vision of BLACK Fashion Brand
The Worlds Times: What do you value the most about BLACK Fashion Brand vision?
John Linger: Before I started my own company, I mainly worked as an employee. In addition to work, I gained experience in setting up events on a project basis. I mainly gained experience in the profession by doing it, without a fixed plan on paper. I always had a clear vision and knew what the end result should look like. Occasionally it didn’t work out the way I had envisioned it, but if you take those moments as a learning moment, it will take you further in your development.
The Worlds Times: Why did you start BLACK Fashion Brand?
John Linger: For a long time I had the desire to create my own fashion brand with a powerful appearance. We want to distinguish ourselves as a brand from other brands and strengthen inclusion within society. Anyone who feels strong and confident or stands for the message behind BLACK can wear BLACK.
Path & Challenges
The Worlds Times: What path did you take to reach where you are today?
John Linger: The first steps in the realization went quite smoothly. Partly because I am quite confident about the BLACK brand and fully support the message. In addition to positive reactions, we also received reactions of incomprehension, “why BLACK”? by some people the name was seen as provocative.
The Worlds Times: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome during the journey of your leadership?
John Linger: What I’ve also learned is to trust your intuition, there are always people who try to hitch a ride but not always with good intentions. Be sharp and ask questions. If it doesn’t feel right, dare to say goodbye to someone. This is something I also had to learn, but if you do it you will eventually gather people around you who have added value for you and the company.
Have guts and courage, move before you’re ready, but don’t share information until you’ve got most things behind the scenes. I too have sometimes shared my plans in my enthusiasm, only to see how someone else ran off with this. Trust yourself above all.
From the martial arts which I still practice and from my army period, I’ve developed a number of character traits that are still useful today. Some examples of this are perseverance and patience, setting up a brand takes time. Respond to opportunities that arise and then make your move by acting immediately. Continue to build up good contacts with potential customers, new assignments often come in from the connection. In addition, I am creative, resourceful and have great adaptability, which comes in handy when I want to take new paths.
The Worlds Times: What benefits are your clients getting from BLACK Fashion Brand in this competitive world?
John Linger: When designing the Hoodie, I took into account the climate in Western Europe. I wanted a Hoodie that kept you warm during the winter, had a powerful look and visibly exuded quality. Hence the thick fabric that allows the Hoodie to be used without a jacket, our logo on the front and back and the double-stitched hood.
- Core values which are important to me in my company are:
- Respect, no respect, then we don’t do business.
- Never give up, nowadays people want quick results, building a business takes time.
- Honesty, don’t make things more beautiful than they are, be honest and transparent.
- Everyone matters, give everyone a chance to show themselves and develop in their own way.
- Learn from your mistakes, see it as part of your own development.
The Worlds Times: How do you see the company changing in two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?
John Linger: In the next 2 years, BLACK will take an increasingly larger position in the market. This by collaborating with other major parties, which will increase brand awareness. I can’t say much more about this at the moment. The collection will be further expanded in collaboration with young talented designers, including a sports line for men and women and a line of bags. Personally, I prefer to design tracksuits because I am still actively involved in sports and set high standards for my sportswear.
The Worlds Times: Would you like to say anything else to our viewers?
John Linger: The great thing about working in the fashion industry is seeing your designs or those of the designers you work with become reality. From idea to the street. Nothing more beautiful than customers who wear your clothes with pride.
If you find it interesting to follow BLACK, you can find us on Instagram: blackfashionbrand and our Linkedin account.
Connect John Linger on Linkedin
