We love Charles! This multi-tasking supertalent
not only runs our Customer Service department but also styles and
photographs nearly everything and everyone featured on this website.
He’s our razor sharp IT Guy as well and can fix a technical
problem with his eyes closed. Though he probably wouldn’t
say so, we also think he’s a terrific graphic designer. You
ask Charles to make a quick to-do list for the department and it’s
the most visually creative, most genius, most hilarious list you
ever saw. Each day we have the great pleasure of working together
it seems we learn of some other hidden talent, interesting job
or amazing adventure Charles has packed into his exciting young
life. The dude is only 22 years old!
You’re one of the few boys
that work here. Advantages/disadvantages?
One advantage about being one of the few guys at fred is that when
any customer mentions they were helped by a nice gentleman… it
was obviously me! I really try and give awesome customer service
and it’s great to be acknowledged. I guess one disadvantage
I feel is when I have customers inquiring about women’s
sizing. I always feel inadequate as a guy recommending a size
to the ladies. I sorta have to be careful about that one…
What do you when you’re
not working?
I recently moved from a tiny Hell’s Kitchen apartment in
Manhattan to a Williamsburg warehouse and am trying to create a
fun working space for my music & photography projects. Turns
out it’s a lot of work living in a “live/work” space!
But right now my favorite activities around the house are roller
skating on the cement floor, 6 o’clock dance parties (when
I get home from work) and celebrating 4:20
watch wristband pride
with my Vermont posse & my neighbor Chris!
How long have you been here and what brought you to NYC in the
first place?
I moved to New York in the winter of 2004. Photography is what
really brought me to NYC. I participated in a residency program
hosted by the School of Visual Arts where I was able to work on
a photo series and receive feedback from some of my fave photographers
like Penelope Umbrico, Eric Weeks, Sally Gall, Jenny Gage and Elinor
Carucci, to mention only a few. Now I continue to study photography,
work as the photographer for fred and am building my own photo
studio in my warehouse in Brooklyn.
We hear you’re quite
the adventurer. Did you always enjoy traveling?
Traveling is the BEST! However, New York City has been quite the
distraction. There’s so much to do around here! But some
of my favorite trips are camping in Baja California in Mexico,
island hopping in Greece and visiting my family in the Philippines.
This fall I plan on traveling to the Netherlands to visit my sister
Margaret and her husband Vaughn and I’d also like to make
it out to India this coming winter to visit Preti, a photographer
friend in New Delhi. I’d love to work with her on a new photo
series. I’m also known for driving cross-country frequently!
If you haven’t… you should. I’ve driven from
California to Maine many times! Sadly my Pokey
horse, a.k.a. VW
Passat, is up in Vermont for safe keeping while I do my thing in
the busy city.
You must
really like to drive… What’s
the craziest site you’ve seen on a road trip?
Utah is really special to me because I went to Brigham Young University
for three years… So, if you’re ever driving through,
make sure you stop and observe two very strange sites: the
Spiral Jetty and the Tree of Utah.
We love when you play DJ at
the office. What’s hot in your ‘pod
this week?
Right now DJ Chas has two albums on heavy rotation: Madlib’s “Shades
of Blue” and Wilco’s “Ghost is Born.” The
first one is comprised of Blue Note jazz recordings that Madlib
remixed and re-interpreted by invitation of Blue Note records.
My fave track is “Steppin’ into Tomorrow” originally
recorded by Donald Byrd… One reason I heart Wilco, rock
experimentalists of Chicago, is their positive outlook towards
the music world of internet file-sharing! Wilco brews experimental
sounds with rock, bluegrass and folk in the likeness of Neil Young
and Bob Dylan.
You really like music. Do you make any music?
When I studied music it was mostly vocal and composition. I took
songwriting courses in Provo, Utah which lead to a few personal
studio recordings and two live performances in concerts halls with
my cellist bud Emily. I also play a mean keyboard and can jam on
a saxophone.
So, where’s Sunday brunch?
Cubana Café at 110 Thompson between Prince and Spring. Even
though my fave food is sushi, my Sunday mornings are reserved for
Cuban cuisine. Many morning mojitos, sangria & flan, oh my!
The Cubana Café staff is the best ever (including super-fred-model
Phoebe!!)
Any shout-outs to our customers?
Yes! Please email me at info@fredflare.com! I’d LOVE to hear
from you! Do you have any feedback about how we could improve our
customer service? I’d really like to know… Hey, I
almost forgot! I’m also fred’s amateur modeling agent
so please contact me if you live in the New York area and would
like to strike a pose for us. We’ll offer you a fredflare.com
gift certificate in exchange. Have a great summer, everybody!
