You may already know this, but here it goes…I’m a big fan of pocket squares. There, I said it! It feels so good to get that off my chest. It’s like a weight has been lifted. If you can’t relate think of it this way: It’s like if there’s weight on you all the time, and then someone removes it! I know I know, I’m super good at explaining things.
Well anyway, what I was saying is that I love pocket squares. I have a few favorite places to get them. One of those places is Mr. Hankee. (Yes you read that correctly).
Mr. Hankee takes fun, affordability and fashion, throws them all into a Vitamix and pours out, inexpensive, innovative, pocket squares! With no pulp or chunks, of course. Want to know more? Take a look at our interview with the man himself…
Mr. Hankee…please tell us the origin of the name?
Just like each one of our Pocket Squares I wanted the brand to have a personality. Rather than being boring and having a designer name, I thought it would be fun to have a brand that can grow in character as it matures. So I named this personality Mr.Hankee since Hankee is short for Handkerchief and he’s a man with his own style. And just to clear the air, the brand is certainly not named after the Christmas poo, even though Hidie Hoe would be a great catch phrase.
You make a diverse array of pocket squares and they are all uniquely named. How do you decide on the name of each square?
The naming of the pocket squares is definitely a fun process. I love to name pocket squares that evoke some sort of memory or correlation to an attitude based on the color scheme or pattern. Then based on the name I like to create a unique personality for each of them. Just like people, our pocket squares are unique and have their own personas.
Eight dollars for a pocket square is really inexpensive. AND you do free shipping! So I guess the question is why are you so awesome?
Well we definitely try to be, haha. Our goal is to have everyone able to look fashionable regardless of their pocket book. Fashion doesn’t have to require stacks of cash and we prefer that our products help inspire people’s creativity versus being a status symbol.
We will be launching a higher end pocket square in the near future where we source specialized materials from around the globe, but our focus is going to remain on helping inspire regardless of the higher price point.
How do you come up with the designs? Is there a team you consult or are you just like: “I love this. Hope everyone else does too!”?
Honestly it’s more of the latter. I love fashion and I want Mr. Hankee to represent my taste. I love the crisp and clean looks versus the super loud and gaudy. So I tend to stick with more geometric patterns and solid lines. Plus if you don’t like my taste you’re probably wearing Tommy Bahama or something.
When did you know that you were going to start a business?
I think it just hit me one day when I was driving home from work. I’ve always had this artistic side of me that’s itching to get out. So I decided to give in to the monster, dug up some graves, went to my laboratory, waited for some lighting, and hence Mr. Hankee was born. 
Everyone makes mistakes…so let’s have it. What’s the ugliest pocket square you’ve ever made?
Ugly is definitely a hard category as one man’s ugly is another man’s beautiful. To each his own I guess even though I am extremely opinionated, ahem, Ed Hardy, ahem, crap, ahem…
We spend quite a bit of time to ensure we only release fashionable products that meet our standards. The Crapper Pocket Square fortunately was not released to the public, haha. At the same time, we try to be fashion forward at times which can occasionally result in The Crapper status. In addition, we are always looking for feedback. We’ve started some reddit threads to see what people think.
You’ve told me that you’re a fan of the arts, can you elaborate? What kind of arts are we talking here, performance, visual, martial?
I love the visual arts. Sketching and painting has always been a hobby of mine. Right now my favorite artist is Lora Zombie. She’s one of the most unique on how she uses watercolor. Plus she always incorporates a punkish subject which is always amazing.
On your website, you say you’ve assembled a team of pocket square X-Men, so which X-Man are you? Also if you’re looking for a Wolverine I’m available! But if we’re being realistic, I’m more suited to play Jubilee.
That’s got to be Cyclops. I like to lead and shoot things down with a deadly stare. Plus I get Jean.
I noticed that in the pictures you take, you don’t show your face. Is it for the same reason I don’t show my face, you’re afraid of getting arrested and charged with excessive handsomeness? Or is there another reason?
Hiding my face is the only way to keep all the love letters from piling up as I’m sure you know, haha. Honestly, I like to keep the focus on the suit combinations and let folks be able to imagine how it would look on them regardless of their body type. Though we definitely aren’t opposed to other forms of modeling and we’ll probably expand in the near future.
Why should men or even women for that matter, wear pocket squares?
To me, Pocket squares are the only real sign of personality in dress wear. Mostly because it’s an optional item. It allows you to choose to express yourself. Do you have an interesting personality? A Pocket Square answers that question with a Heck Yes.
And now Five Signature Questions with Christian:
Who is your Favorite Superhero or Villain?
I’m an Anime geek so it’s definitely Saitoh Hajime from Rurouni Kenshin.
Who wins in a fight Batman or Superman?
My heart says Batman but my brain says Superman, well unless Batman’s got a kryptonite suit. Then definitely Batman.
Which Star Wars Character would you be?
Han without a doubt, he was the bad@$$.
What’s your Favorite cereal of all time?
That’s a tie between Cinnamon toast crunch and Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds.
Are your dirty clothes on the floor or in the hamper, right now?
Of course, how else do you know what’s in the hamper.
