Mambo is the original surf art cult brand. Many of you will know at least part of its history: founded by Dare Jennings and a bunch of artist and muso ratbags in Sydney in 1984, their skewed view of the world captured the hearts and trousers of surfers, skaters and musos who felt like everything was getting too safe, sanitised and fluorescent.
Mambo went on to define the 90s zeitgeist with artists like Reg Mombassa (hairy dog trumpet), Richard Allen (farting dog) and Jim Mitchell (surf and turf). Their loud shirts were worn in the 2000 Olympic closing ceremony, where athletes danced around with 30-odd foot tall Mombassa creations.
But that was all a long time ago, right?
Mambo World is here to talk about, write about, film and draw on napkins what Mambo is about in 2018. Whether it’s opening its own tuck shop, sponsoring grom surfers or working with legendary artists like Ben Brown who designed Nirvana’s Australian tour posters, or young whipper-snappers like Jessica Benhar, whose linocuts are influenced by 14th century woodcuts. Of course.
Mambo World won’t (necessarily) sell you thongs. But it will tell you where thongs are appropriate. It won’t tell you the finest celebrity chef restaurant opening in Canggu, but it will tell you what to eat on a hot patch of sand in Narrabeen or Glenelg or Rosebud.
So this is Mambo World. Chuck your name on the list and we’ll drop it in your inbox. Otherwise we’ll chase you round the internet for a bit.
Cheers
Ben Birchall
Publisher