ABOUT THE ARTIST

 

Meet Marlena Hinkle, the creative force behind Hinkle & Company. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Marlena is a second-generation Latina with deep roots in Tlaltenango, Zacatecas. Her father was born in Guadalajara, and her mother was the first in her family to be born in the United States. In 2024, Marlena welcomed her baby girl into the world—a new chapter in her life that has only fueled her artistic drive.

Marlena's background is as unconventional as her art. Before founding Hinkle & Company, she immersed herself in the world of extreme sports and stunts. She trained in fencing, broad sword, short swords, and combat fighting before advancing to Wushu martial arts under Eric Chen, the stunt double for Jackie Chan. She also trained with Michael Cassidy, known for his stunt work as Batman, alongside his sons Zane and Micky Cassidy—Micky famously doubling for Macaulay Culkin in Richie Rich and Home Alone. In addition to her stunt work, Marlena walked runways and appeared in various print campaigns, though those days are behind her. Now, she finds happiness in the tranquility of the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, where she lives and creates.

Art has always been her anchor. Through oil paint, charcoal sketches, and watercolor washes, Marlena expresses the raw, unfiltered essence of her mind—a glimpse inside mi cabeza. Her work is witty, sarcastic, and unapologetically original, embodying the same rebellious energy that shaped her journey.

Hinkle & Company was born from her passion for art and creativity, a brand that stands for individuality, resilience, and self-expression. More than just streetwear, it’s a movement—one that encourages others to embrace their originality and trust their instincts. While Marlena has traded high-speed stunt sets and runway lights for the quiet of the mountains, her artistic spirit is as bold as ever. She continues to push boundaries, now channeling her creativity into writing a book alongside her visual art.

When you wear Hinkle & Company, you’re wearing more than just art. You’re wearing a reminder to be bold, trust yourself, and never be afraid to carve your own path.

Hinkle & Company—Be Original. Trust Yourself.