Brighton store's boost thanks to Pussy Riot trial

6:30am Friday 17th August 2012 in News By Peter Truman

BOOST: Michael Robson of Junk Funk BOOST: Michael Robson of Junk Funk

It has been one of the most high profile trials with international coverage.

So what better place could there be to see your product on show than during the Pussy Riot trial?

Michael Robson, the owner of North Laine shop Junk Funk, was stunned to see Russian band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova wearing one of his T-shirts.

Members of the group were on trial accused of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred following an anti-Vladimir Putin performance in a Moscow cathedral.

The trial has been screened across the globe meaning Mr Robson’s T-shirt, which shows a gold Communist fist on a blue background and the slogan No Pasaran! which translates as “They shall not pass”.

The expression was used by Dolores Ibárruri Gómez, a member of the Communist Party of Spain, in her famous No Pasarán speech on July 18 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.

Mr Robson said: “We designed the T-shirt last year.

“We had no idea she would be wearing it.”

The shop received an order from Russia but could not have imagined who the mystery shopper was.

Mr Robson added: “We got an order from Russia for one of our T-shirts a couple of months ago but obviously we did not know who they were. We certainly did not know she was part of the band.”

The international exposure has seen sales rocket, with orders coming in from across the world.

He continued: “There has been loads of interest in the T-shirt especially on the website. It’s all been a bit crazy. There are lots of people buying the T-shirt from all over the world. People are seeing the trial, Googling it and coming to our website. It is really great.

“We have another one which says La Pelaton and that has become really popular after Bradley Wiggins and the Tour De France.

“We try and stay ahead of the game a bit.”

The group were today found guilty of the charges and all eyes will now be on the courtroom for the sentencing.

Mr Robson said: “It will be interesting to see what happens at the sentencing.”

Comments(15)

Archie Bun says...
6:52am Fri 17 Aug 12

So he's gloating about making a profit from this? Nice to see he only cares about whether the shirt gets worn during the trial rather than them actually having to stand trial. perhaps he will be lucky and other people will get arrested who can wear his stuff?

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george smith says...
7:08am Fri 17 Aug 12

Archie Bun wrote:
So he's gloating about making a profit from this? Nice to see he only cares about whether the shirt gets worn during the trial rather than them actually having to stand trial. perhaps he will be lucky and other people will get arrested who can wear his stuff?
Rather sad when people throughout the ages have fought for civil liberties, and this bloke turns their struggle into merchantise for his own capitalist gain

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Archie Bun says...
7:38am Fri 17 Aug 12

Anarchy For Sale

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Music Lover says...
7:47am Fri 17 Aug 12

Why don't you lighten up a bit? Its a typical negative thread from the Argus regulars.

Its an interesting story about a small Brighton Business and I'm glad that they are doing well from the story; Mr Robson in certainly not gloating or is it that you don't like to see anyone getting on.

Anyway, don't forget your signing on time today

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NickBrt says...
10:10am Fri 17 Aug 12

Mr Robson looks a bit mutton dressed up as lamb with that haircut...

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tomdussek says...
12:03pm Fri 17 Aug 12

For all the grizzlers, do you really think that you're getting the full story here? Maybe they left out the "by the way I think **** Riot are incredibly brave" stuff? Or do you *really* believe the press is a source of complete and unbiased truth? Try being a little slower to judge, and you'll find that maybe you too can have some friends.

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marinamole says...
4:04pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Urgh you mean Nadezhda Tolokonnikova was wearing CLOTHES when she got arrested, and if I like the look of her clothes and I try to find out where they're sold, that this shop comes up and this man will sell me said clothes? And he makes a profit?? How DARE he! Stop moaning, get out in the sunshine, wear a nice Tshirt (I believe JunkFunk has them in abundance) and thank your lucky stars that you live in an amazing, liberal city and that you CAN slag off Cameron.

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Flippin Burghers says...
4:54pm Fri 17 Aug 12

NickBrt wrote:
Mr Robson looks a bit mutton dressed up as lamb with that haircut...
Mr Robson's look has been used to promote hair clippers for at least 60 years. It's more mutton dressed as mutton.

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thewhitehawker says...
5:55pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Good luck to the shop owner doing his very best to cash in for his own gains . he will have to pay taxes just like the rest of us and this will go to our government and our country to give much needed money to our health service and public spending. From the residents of Brighton we thankyou shop owner

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SmileyD says...
6:14pm Fri 17 Aug 12

As Uncle Joe once sang :
"Ha - you think it's funny?
Turning rebellion into money?"

Spot on, as ever.

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Dave At Home says...
10:52am Sat 18 Aug 12

£25 for a T-shirt!!!! are you kidding me? you could get about 20 for that price in Primark.... guess the slogan is right for me.... they shall not pass this way at that price. Funny the Argus didn't put a link to his site, another cheap advert, well done comrade ha ha.

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England for the RWC says...
12:25pm Sat 18 Aug 12

Archie Bun wrote:
So he's gloating about making a profit from this? Nice to see he only cares about whether the shirt gets worn during the trial rather than them actually having to stand trial. perhaps he will be lucky and other people will get arrested who can wear his stuff?
Hang on a minute..... Mr Robson designed this merchandise BEFORE said Russian activist just happened to be wearing it at the time of her arrest. At what point had Mr Robson "gloated about making a profit from this"? Coincidance, more like!! Good luck to him, and lets hope all is well in the world...... Ahhhhh Peace once more.... Right, lets all go down the beach and enjoy our freedom and slag Cameron off without fear of arrest!!! (Thankyou Marinamole for that idea!!)

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Nathan L says...
1:47pm Sat 18 Aug 12

i got a tshirt from there for £25 a couple years back, still looks and feels as fresh as it did back then. Good quality clothing.

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wellhellothere.. says...
10:34pm Thu 23 Aug 12

I agree with the previous comments here - the t-shirt was designed a year ago, the band placed an order, he had no idea they were going to wear it or indeed who they were.

Also, the journalist doing the interview will decide on the strongest angle, his editor will sign it off, he'll use a fraction of the full interview, all of which is out of the interviewees hands. As someone else here said, they may have left out the political opinions in favour of a more basic story.

Which all adds up to some very lopsided digs on here at the bloke making an honest quid out of a high profile coincidence!

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chorse says...
12:18am Wed 29 Aug 12

I reckon Mr Robson is well fit although I have reliable about his hair that the side bits are his real hair and the top bit is a weave.
I'm wondering what product he uses on the side?
I might pop into Junkfunk and ask him. Maybe could be a couple of new lines for him? Hair products and weaves.
Well done Sir.

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