Our products are a reflection of our environment,
inspired by our love for fashion, art and music.
We are WrecordsByMonkey.

Company Overview

WrecordsByMonkey is a Brooklyn-based design company that bridges the worlds of fashion, art and music.  Using reclaimed vinyl records, they create handmade accessories with a low carbon footprint that can be incorporated into anyone’s individual style.  Their niche product, the Wrecord bracelet, comes in designs from silly to sophisticated.  WBM’s full line includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and t-shirts, all inspired by the idea of relating to music lovers of every generation.

Bio

Founding partners Patrick Chirico and Brian Farrell started WrecordsByMonkey in 2004. Both have degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology—Chirico in fashion design and Farrell in fine arts.

They started making the record bracelets one by one in the hallway of their dorm, hand drawing all of their unique graphics directly on the records. Since then, they’ve come up with a innovative manufacturing process and operate out of their studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where they have hand made over 60,000 record bracelets, and created thousands of designs.

They introduced their record bracelets at NYC markets, which is how they learned their niche product appeals to a wide range of demographics; all ages, cultures and styles. Currently, WrecordsByMonkey sells in over 20 states, in places ranging from art museums and design stores to independent boutiques and larger chains. They also sell in the gift shops of museums such as; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Houston Museum of Contemporary Art, Houston, Texas Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Kansas,  The Chelsea Art Museum NYC, New York
WBM has also done private label work for companies such as MTV and the GRAMMY Brand, creating custom record bracelets, graphic design and unique packaging and displays.  They have received press in print, online and TV.  Chirico and Farrell have also spoken at colleges about entrepreneurship and innovative materials, and they  continue to be involved with charitable organizations and philanthropic ventures.  WBM has donated to organizations including the Make A Wish Foundation, LIFEbeat, the S.T.O.K.E.D. Foundation, and Girls equality of Brooklyn

Q & A

1. Where did you grow up and where did you go to school?

Patrick: I grew up in Watertown, NY, and went to F.I.T. for Fashion Design.

Brian: Born in Rochester MN, raised in Rome Italy, attended FIT for Fine Arts and Textile Design.

2.When was the creative seed planted?
Patrick: I was sick from school around 2nd grade my Godmother showed me how to sew a sleeping bag for my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle on her Viking sewing machine.

Brian: Unknown

3. What is your favorite:
Food/drink?
Patrick: Raffetto's gnocchi (W. Houston St. NYC)/Reed's Ginger Ale

Brian: Breakfast for dinner with Cranberry mixed with Sprite
Time period?
Patrick: 1920's

Brian:1960s
Instrument?

Patrick:

Brian:pens and paint
Neighborhood/city?
Patrick: Moab Utah/ Chinatown NYC

Brian:Brooklyn and Vermont
Band?
Patrick: Ween/Talking Heads/GD

Brian:Sonic Youth
Artist? 
Patrick: Brian Farrell

Brian: Ed Templeton, David Ellis
Designer?
Patrick: Erte, / Proenza Schuller, McQueen, Zac Posen

Brian: Carhartt

4. Skateboard, bike, blades or car?
Patrick: Skateboard: 9 yrs old- present, weapon of choice. Bike: Rode from Upstate New York to Vermont once. Blades: In the early years. Car: Received license at age 25.

Brian: Skateboard and my beat up BMX bike

5. What is one analogy that describes you or your ideals?
Patrick: Well, I feel as if I'm in 6th grade and I have so much homework every night for as long as I can imagine. And I'm experiencing new things every day that build on each other.

Brian:"So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself: Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived, or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?"

6. What are some of your outside inspirations?
Patrick: Brittany Mayne, Peggy Montando, my mom and dad,  glassblowing, Nature in America, Found items

Brian:Brooklyn, pop culture, friends, and family, music, skateboarding

7. What would you like to relay to youth culture
Patrick: Failure is a part of success

Brian:Take chances, don't stop running, and have fun

8. Why do you believe in being part a green company?
Patrick: We all need to contribute to the overall well being of the future. Any product that is not somewhat green should be taxed.

Brian: Go green or go home

9. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
Patrick: Hopefully traveling more, married and happy.

Brian:Traveling owning a house and working on something I believe in

10. What would you be doing if you were not doing this?
Patrick: Off the grid mountain man.

Brian: A mountain man painting landscapes in my back yard.

Handmade in Brooklyn, NY USA