Profile: Kym Hurley

Fashion, art and rock make for funky bedfellows in Kym Hurley’s world. Her apparel company, Designateria, specializes in T-shirts, tanks and lingerie for rock stars — both real and imagined. By cross-promoting national and local bands through its website, the company gives emerging indie rockers a platform.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native was friends with Marilyn Manson in the late ’80s when he was still known as Brian Warner. “I knew him back before he wore makeup and tattoos. … He played his first show at our little hangout in Fort Lauderdale and I thought, ‘God, these guys stink.’”

After spending part of the ’90s running a T-shirt shop in Northern California, Hurley hooked up with her BFF from college, Kathi George, who founded Designateria in L.A. Hurley moved to Decatur in 2002 to expand the company while spotlighting music. “I think the music scene in Atlanta is one of the best in the country right now.”

“Looks that look good on stage is our focus.” Some of the Georgia-based bands featured in its monthly online series include YOU, Summerbirds in the Cellar and Second Shift. Designateria apparel is available locally at 1*Five*0 and Veruca Boutique.