A Merseyside artist who found himself in a legal battle with Hugo Boss said he was "overwhelmed" by the support received in the last 12 months for the business he set up in lockdown.
Last September, the ECHO reported that artist John Charles, originally from Kirkby, applied for a trademark for his "Be Boss, Be Kind" designs after the success of his free virtual art classes set up in the first lockdown and due to what he said was demand from local parents.
The dad-of-one, who lives in Huyton and is best known for painting some of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings and figures, later received a letter from solicitors Simmons & Simmons, which acts for the Hugo Boss group of companies, stating it would be filing a "Notice of Threatened Opposition" against the application on behalf of their client.
Weeks later, it was announced that fashion giant Hugo Boss has reached an "amicable solution" with popular Merseyside artist and John was finally able to officially release his Be Boss, Be Kind merchandise to the public.
The story gained national attention and residents rallied around the artist to congratulate him. One year on from the first national lockdown in England, we spoke to John about his business journey in lockdown and how his successful idea flourished.
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John told the ECHO that himself and his wife Jen, who is now his manager, were concerned when the pandemic hit as they recently made the decision as a family for art to become a full-time venture.
John said: "I went solo around the November and the lockdown came in the March. Everything that we had planned in relation to exhibitions got cancelled. Straight away we were thinking was this a bad choice doing art full-time.
"The reason we decided to do all the art classes is because we had all this time and more importantly it was giving back.
"It was a hard time. We knew everyone was struggling and we were struggling as well.
"I had a decent following before that but it really exploded off the back of that and 27,000 people tuned in in the first week of the classes.
"Somebody said to me 'why are you doing this you're not gaining anything out of it?' I didn't need anything out of it, sometimes people do something just to be nice and that's were the decision came from."
Jen said the family were panicking about the future, but that she had faith that "it would all work out in the end."
She said the success of the weekly classes was also due to the fact it offered more than just an art lesson to both children and parents.
Jen said: "Mental health is such an important thing and people came for that too.
"When John is doing his artwork he’ll be in a world of his own for hours and will forget to have his tea.
"Other people were finding that too and John knew it would help."
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John, alongside his daughter Emmy, hosted the weekly lockdown art classes to children being home-schooled in lockdown and said their sign-off phrase "Be Boss Be Kind" was the inspiration behind the business venture.
He said: "Clothing is one of those things that's always been on my radar and Emmy is crazy about fashion.
"I think at some point I would have done it. In the past I've had other ideas with other businesses, but I'd have never had 'Be Boss Be Kind' in my head if it wasn't for Emmy.
"In lockdown it was just something positive to focus on. Everyone was lovely, the support was mad."
John applied for a trademark for his "Be Boss, Be Kind" designs to sell hoodies and caps at the time, with the money made going towards a fund for Emmy's future.
But later he received a letter from solicitors Simmons & Simmons, which acts for the Hugo Boss group of companies, stating it would be filing a "Notice of Threatened Opposition" against the application on behalf of their client.
John's story gained national attention and many pointed out similarities between a similar case that same year which led comedian Joe Lycett to officially change his name to Hugo Boss as an act of solidarity with small businesses who have been approached by the company.
Residents across Merseyside rallied around the family and weeks later the fashion giant reached an "amicable solution" with John.
John said: "Everyone backed us and it was amazing and they've continued to back us.
"Joe Lycett actually got in touch. He started following me on Instagram and sent me a message and said I'm buzzing for you. He didn't need to do that but it was a nice touch."
One year on from the first national lockdown, John said the journey from the original art classes, to the Hugo Boss dispute, to now running a successful business has been "crazy."
He said he is proud that he started the art classes and continued with the business venture, which has now gained customers from elsewhere in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Germany and has expanded to offer different merchandise such as bobble hats which "sold out instantly."
John and Jen said their journey in lockdown has made the family closer and that they have also seen their daughter's confidence grow through being on camera.
John is also excited for the coming year to have his first solo exhibition in Liverpool - something he has always dreamed of.
John said: "Together the three of us are a close family unit and after everything we've got an even closer bond.
"Jen is now my manager and it’s been brilliant. I think for Emmy to see both parents during this not giving up, that's the best thing for me. We could’ve given up but didn't, we kept plodding on with everything.
"I was always that little fat kid from Kirkby but this little fat kid from Kirkby managed to get 27,000 people to join an art class. It was people from all around the world, from Italy to Mexico and people were tuning in from different time zones.
"I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody. The support has been overwhelming."
