On the Lam NYC: Outlaw Fashion for Do-Gooders

by: Abernathy Miller

When it comes to fashion, Lilli Danschu and husband Sibnavus Francis do it all– except follow the rules.

DIY fashion production house, and promoters of social consciousness, On the Lam is anything but ordinary. From their original photography, to their purpose as designers and artists, they take “off-the-beaten-path” from a bumpy walk to a full-on off-road excursion.

“I started the brand in hometown in Finland. I was doing street wear under the name Up to No Good,” said Lilli Danschu. “Then I moved [to New York City] and I decided to start a new project with Sib.”

Lilli, and international business major, and Sibnavus, a photographer and videographer, wanted to fuse their talents into one cooperative creative outlet. They wanted their strengths utilized and reflected in a joint project.

“Pretty much what the whole project came from was us needing an outlet for our art,” said Francis.  “We thought, ‘what would be the best way to mold together and make money?’ At the time, we were trying to build a life together, and thought this is the perfect starting point.”

Their unique talents and common love for fashion as well as social consciousness became On The Lam NYC, a  tee shirt line that channels a femme-fatale meets urban jungle vibe. Original photography (done by Francis) and the wearable nature of the pieces makes  On The Lam NYC artistic as well as accessible.

The couple has a higher purpose for creating their unique fashions. On The Lam NYC wants to make the world a better place, not just better dressed.

“I have wanted to start a farm in Jamaica for more than seven years now,” said Francis. “That project has become one of the main driving factors behind all the hard work we do for On The Lam NYC. We want to start a source farm where I grew up in Jamaica for the community. We want to provide internet access and a community center of sorts where the locals can learn about organic farming and sustainability. We want to help teach people what it takes to sustain in the upcoming world.”

The couple sees this project as beneficial for the world at large, not just the people of Jamaica.

“There is a  whole changing theme in society with green technology right now. Some people want to get involved in it, but because (non-green) technology infrastructures already exist in America and other places, it’s sometimes difficult to get the green projects off the ground,” said Francis. “Jamaica is the perfect place to start something like that, because you wouldn’t have to tear down and then rebuild green technology, you could just start from scratch. That’s what we really want to do.”

Though their goals are ambitious, Danschu and Francis aren’t scared. They believe the project is the right thing to do, and that like-minded individuals will see that and support them.

“We want it to be accessible to everyone- from the Midwest to Cali, Finland- wherever. It’s not just about the clothes, it’s about our whole concept,” said Danschu. “We are busting free of how  things are expected to be and doing what we think is right for us and the world at large. When you’re ‘on the lam’ you have to sustain by no means possible… you have to make something outta nothing. That’s what we are doing. We believe that other people like us will see that, and respond to it. And maybe even start a mini-revolution of their own.”

On The Lam NYC proves you can look good, while you’re doing good.

 

To learn more about On The Lam NYC, click here