Community Corner

10-Year-Old Launches Clothing Company

Tommy Wilkie, of Hampton Bays, is selling his clothing locally.

While most boys his age are out playing on the monkey bars, Tommy Wilkie, a ten-year-old from Hampton Bays, who attends Our Lady of the Hamptons, is set to launch is own clothing company, selling his designs in local shops.

It all started two years ago, when his mom, Kerri Wilkie, said her son asked for a pair of scissors to cut up a sweatshirt. While at first, she didn't want to hand over the shears, she gave in.

"I said, 'Fine, just don't cut yourself,'" she said.

Tommy worked to whittle the sweatshirt into a new creation and proud of what he made, he wanted to cut up all his sweatshirts.

Of course Kerri wasn't going to let that happen, but instead, she suggested he take up sewing.

For a year, Tommy learned under Southampton designer, Alyssa Smith and was amazed at how good at it he was.

"I wanted to start selling my designs," said Tommy. "And I came up with the name Hamptons Hoodie."

Turned out, however, the name, Hampton Hoodie, was already taken.

"Dangit!," Tommy said he yelled to his mom.

That, he said, is how the name of his business, Dangit, was born.

From there, everything propelled forward.

Tommy started designing his vest sweatshirts with cartoons around the term, Dangit. For example, one sweatshirt features a guy on a surfboard with sharks around him with the word, Dangit above him. Another depicts a cheerleader in the air with the girls below her all texting instead of waiting to catch her.

His mom, meanwhile, helped him research companies in the United States that could manufacture his shirts.

The shirts, said Tommy, are being made in Brooklyn with fabric coming from North Carolina. They come in a variety of colors and they all feature a special pocket, that Tommy said can be used to store an i-pod or MP3 player.

"That way you can't drop it while using it," Tommy, who is also a tap dancer said.

The shirts are now on sale in Hampton Bays at Skidmoore's and Bean to Tween in Southampton and retail for $45. Those looking to purchase the shirts online, can click here and use the code, IKNOWTOMMY to get a 5 percent discount and free shipping.

Tommy said he hopes to add to his line in the future t-shirts and jeans.


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