meet UNlikely fox

LA-based artist Unlikely Fox (@unlikely.fox) has designed a Limited Edition collection of merchandise in partnership with Voodoo Toys.

All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to support Fox’s work
and the LA Black Workers Center whose mission is to increase access to quality jobs, reduce employment discrimination, and improve industries that employ Black workers through action and unionization.

Fox has created three limited edition hand-embroidered tote bags for Voodoo
emblazoned with the sayings
‘Don’t Hate, Masturbate’, ‘Pride In Pleasure’ and ‘I Cum First’.
Her design process was captured in images by Cara Taylor, a local LA creative. The designs have been reproduced in screen printed designs applied to T-shirts, tote bags and caps for people to purchase online at shop.voodoo.toys

Wear It With Pride

Fox worked with Voodoo to create three hand-embroidered premium tote bags using phrases that exude unapologetic divine feminine energy, one stitch at a time.

There is only ONE of each embroidered design produced. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

We ask Fox about where she finds her inspiration, her love for her art, and who she would love to see people supporting.

Q. Before we get to your brilliant work, tell us a little more about you. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a very white town called Algonquin, IL. I really hated it as any black kid surrounded by racists would. But I am mad grateful for the upbringing my mom was able to give me. We grew up poor but lived in a very nice townhouse and I went to a pretty good school. I was able to visit the city whenever I wanted. I experienced all four seasons; I almost always had a white Christmas.

Q. How did you start to begin crocheting?

My mom taught me how to crochet. I always say about 8-9 years old, but I honestly can't remember the exact moment. I have known how to crochet as long as I can remember. At first, I really didn’t enjoy it. It was a bit hard for me to really dive into but I loved the idea of learning how to make clothing. My grandmother is a seamstress and I watched all of the women in my family make clothing almost everyday. They taught me how to sew shortly after learning how to crochet. I wasn't a super fan of sewing at first either. I loved sewing clothes for my stuffed animals! When it was time to up the ante, I wasn’t having it. I soon taught myself the knit. Knitting was IT for me for years! Once I was a teenager I was doing all three, but crochet had become my biggest love.

Q. Where do you find inspiration? What does that look or feel like? 

Inspiration can come out of nowhere for me. I day dream almost all of the time because I have a very action creative brain which is usually very overwhelming. The day dreams can be random conversations with friends or family, or someone I’ve never seen before. I see shapes and silhouettes the most. I am inspired by other designers and the community/surroundings I am. Currently, I live in Jefferson Park/West Adams area in Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly surrounded by young creatives, specifically black creatives. The art, the community work, the energy, the essence of blackness all around me will always breathe inspiration into me.

Q. What's your favorite design you've ever created?

Thus far, I’m most proud of my crochet sweatpants! I’ve been developing a pant design for a while now. I made a few for commissions over the last 4 months or so, but hadn't made myself a pair. I recently finished a color-block/ Aladdin style pant that a wear multiple times a week. 

Q. We are seeing crochet designs everywhere - from high end designers to street style. Why do you think crochet is 'back'?

I wouldn’t say that crochet ever left. Crochet has been used in high fashion all of the world, year after year. Conde Nast published Vogue Knitting from 1932-1969. The Butterick Company bought Vogue Knitting in 1989 and has been publishing ever since. Crochet and Knit designers, crocheters and knitters never stopped, a lot of people just weren't paying close attention. Crochet is classic and beautiful. It’s handmade and very refreshing in a fast fashion world. 

Q. How would you like to see people support the LGBTQI+ community?

I would like for people to see people truly and stop acting like being queer is a “new concept.” I would like people to stop killing trans people. I would love to see people pay black trans women. I would love people who are not part of the queer community, to stop telling queer people what they should and should not accept when it comes to how they are being treated. We all just need to do better. 

Q. Do you have a hope or vision for supporting the queer community?

As a Cis female who dates men, I don’t believe it’s my place to say and I don’t think anyone in the queer community would care or should be subjected to straight people voicing their “vision” for the queer community. Just as I would never care to hear what a white person's “vision” is for the black community.

Q. Who’s your biggest inspiration?

My late mother! Her name is Dunia Denise Grasso. She was a badass black woman. She was a single mom, a sculptor, an artist, a crocheter, knitter, empath and a virgo. Her creativity fostered my own. I continue to honor her in my art.

Q. Are there any other creatives you’d like to shoutout?

My cousin and best friend, Cara Taylor (@caraelisetaylorr) is a beautiful writer/photographer and black woman. She took all of the photos featured. She has a warm way of showcasing black joy and allowing people to really be bare and true to who they are. Pay her! I have SO many amazing creatives in my life! Go on my Instagram and you’ll see hella! 

Supporting the LA Black Workers Center

Fox elected to have proceeds from the sale of her work to also be distributed to the LA Black Workers Center. The organization develops authentic grassroots leadership among Black workers (unionized, non-union, immigrant, formerly incarcerated and the unemployed) and among the extended community, to reverse the disproportionate levels of unemployment and underemployment in the Los Angeles Black community.

The center seeks peace and prosperity for all of Los Angeles by developing policies and corporate practices that perpetuate equity in the labor market and end inferior jobs for the Black Community.

Their programs include:

The Ready 2 Work program which aims to advocate for equitable access and retention for Black workers to be employed in quality careers, free of discrimination with opportunities for leadership by promoting equitable policies and meaningful direct placements.

The Worker Justice University which is about building knowledge, confidence and consciousness, bringing members together to learn key concepts; like the LABWC theory of social change and the role of organizing Black workers to transform the Black Jobs Crisis and Los Angeles as a whole. The 3 sessions of the Worker Justice University (WJU) includes workshops, trainings and networking sessions that develop participants’ skills for advocacy, developing action campaigns, and their confidence and ability to play leadership roles in their union and community.