Bellum Couture | Introducing “War Fashion” to Kentucky Mixed Martial Arts

“Si vi pacem, para bellum | If you wish for peace, prepare for war”

Will Hendrickson Signature Shirt

Bellum Couture might just have the perfect name for a Mixed Martial Arts clothing line. The name translates to “War Fashion,” and when you learn that the founders of Kentucky’s hottest new lifestyle clothing line include a soldier, a champion fighter, and an accomplished graphic designer, the name “Bellum Couture” is an obvious fit. Bellum Couture burst onto the local MMA scene at the beginning of 2011 and we have taken note of their unique designs and their dedication to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Kentucky.

The men behind the brand are Shad Jones, Will Hendrickson, and Jon Turner. Shad Jones is the sales guru of the team and a former member of the U.S. Military. Will Hendrickson is a co-owner and serves as the Business Relations / Logistics Specialist. Will also happens to be a two-time amateur MMA champ in Kentucky and is the current Hardrock MMA Middleweight Champion. Jon Turner is a co-owner and is the graphic designer behind all of Bellum Couture’s creations. The triad is currently making waves in Kentucky but there is more to their success than just having good designs.

Jon says that Bellum Couture has been so well-received in Kentucky because their designs are not “cookie cutter” in nature and that they carry themselves well. They do not hassle fight fans for sales as they would rather make friends within the community and let the designs do the work. Due to Will holding a title within the Hardrock MMA promotion Bellum Couture sees Hardrock as their “home” promotion so they have a built-in base of supporters. However, Jon reiterates that the brand is quickly becoming a familiar staple at events across the state, and that fits in with their goal to “Bridge some gaps with what we are doing and what a few others are doing and make a tighter knit family and friends.”

Bellum Couture "Warhead" Design

One way that Bellum Couture has managed to unite different areas of the state is through their support of the U.S. Military. As Jon puts it, “we’ve all got family and friends over there right now defending our lives. If we don’t put a stand to support our troops, nobody else will.” In the spirit of that sentiment, Kentucky crowds have made Bellum’s “Warhead” design one of their top sellers. Do not be surprised to walk into a Kentucky event in the near future and be greeted by a sea of shirts bearing their message: WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

For the time being Bellum Couture will focus on spreading their brand through Kentucky but they do have plans to expand into other Midwest markets in the future:

“We are looking to expand outside of Kentucky. It’s a slow process but we are looking to expand as business grows. We do want to be as much East Coast as possible and gradually make our way out West. It’s all about timing and not making a move too soon.”

Look for Bellum Couture to expand throughout the rest of 2011. In the immediate future you can meet the Bellum crew at “Hardrock MMA 40” in Shepherdsville on September 3rd and in Eastern Kentucky at Brandon Newsome’s “Gruesome MMA 5: The Reckoning” in Pikeville on September 9th. If you cannot make it out to either of those events you can view the Bellum Couture collection at www.BellumCouture.com and purchase their clothing online. You can also connect with Bellum Couture’s Jon Turner by visiting his CageCraze.com profile.

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