Online Ceramics co-founders, Alix Ross and Elijah Funk, officially announce their professional split. Ross will pursue other opportunities, while Funk remains to guide Online Ceramics.
The announcement follows the brand’s success in popularizing graphic tees in men’s fashion. Despite the break-up, both Ross and Funk express optimism for the future.
The industry is abuzz with speculation about the brand’s future under Funk’s leadership.
“Tricker’s Cabin: The Oral & Visual History of Online Ceramics,” a book portraying the duo’s journey, provides closure to their partnership while honoring their enduring friendship. It reveals their creative process and their influence on digital art.
Funk aims to transform Online Ceramics into a more traditional brand, reducing collaborations and focusing on brand growth. He envisions expanding into home decor and potentially footwear, while maintaining their signature graphic tees.
Ross plans to launch a merchandising brand and a contemporary, fashion-forward line.
Co-founders split, eyeing separate ventures
His contributions to Online Ceramics’ unique aesthetics blend elements such as the music of the Grateful Dead and the landscapes of Ohio’s countryside.
Celebrities like Virgil Abloh, John Mayer, and Emily Ratajkowski have endorsed Online Ceramics’ t-shirt line. Their unconventional business model, including extended waiting periods for customers, hasn’t hampered growth thanks to their innovative designs, high-quality materials, and meticulous craftsmanship.
The brand’s commitment to sustainable practices and limited-edition prints adds value to each item, helping to challenge the fast fashion industry’s norms.
Lately, Online Ceramics has showcased distinct brand personalities, with each founder operating independently. The divergence has led to separate client bases for each founder, enabling Online Ceramics to tap into different market segments. This evolution, though seeming like fragmentation, has encouraged a rich diversity within the brand.
As a result, Ross and Funk are forging their paths within the company, consequently diversifying taste and style, and stimulating creativity. Although the change seems like the end of an era, it represents a new beginning for Ross, Funk, and Online Ceramics.
