Personally, I’m proud to design product that people genuinely love; things they were inspired to buy, but then use hard and keep for a long time.
From the professional side, I design for legend and commerce. Throughout my career, I have been entrusted with a high degree of freedom to explore ideas and concepts in the interest of either brand launch or aesthetic reinvention (or even something as simple as a new hood or pocket solution). That freedom and passion for progression drives me, but I have always tempered it with commercial reality and respect to brand heritage. At Salomon, Ralph Lauren, Spyder, and Triple Aught Design, I grew the business by actively studying that ratio of concept to commerce. The results are visible in the garments and on the balance sheet.
My work recent for Triple Aught Design is some of the most meaningful in my career. Made primarily in the USA, I had to alter my approach to adjust to certain limitations therein. The result was a distillation in design; honing the process of creation to an almost architectural degree. Our small team in San Francisco worked painstakingly to execute precise product with the highest level of care.
Looking through the collection, you see some variation in the garments, but the brand DNA is ever present in the design language. I have never seen a more passionate consumer than those who know/love Triple Aught Design. The brand’s approach to what is worthy of the collection paired with a focus on made-in-USA yields exceptional quality and story.
An ace combination of moto inspired details, timeless material, and perfect fit, the Interval was made in the USA with Cone Denim from North Carolina (just before they closed). Utility is critical to the Triple Aught Design mentality, so details like ease-of-movement and secure pocketing stand-out as features with brand DNA in mind.
Identifying ways to elevate the functionality of Interval -beyond that of a traditional denim jacket- was a key part of the brief. On a moto or commuter bike, the stand-up collar -with throat latch- is one such differentiator. Open or closed, tab our to buttoned back, the collar is perfect.
The Sentinel Jacket -cut from Ventile fabric- is one of the simplest, richest pieces I've ever designed. Timeless in material, design, and fit, I consider this to be some of my best work (mostly because it took a village and the whole team loves it).
Exceptionally finished, the Sentinel is an heirloom piece. On-point today and still a classic in 20 years.
Classical menswear elements paired with modern details as well.
Partnering with Polartec, the Javelin is a superlight combination of their Alpha insulation and Powergrid materials. Warm when you need warmth and highly breathable when you need to cool off. This is another example of the team coming together to execute a highly technical style with US manufacturing.
The extremely lightweight ripstop shell goods and knit mesh lining (with Alpha insulation in between) make for an amazing combination. Studied trims are signature to my work also.
Updating the modern cargo, the Aspect RS Pant pairs modern fit with deep utility. Top-quad cargos are “indexed” with internal pocketing to keep small articles managed and accessible. Cotton/Nylon Ripstop goods. Fully Articulated. This is stealthy capability.
All your kit right at your fingertips.
Exploring solutions with the Apex SP Hoodie. Two of Triple Aught Design’s most-loved materials combine for an epic twist on the classic hoodie. Geared-up with various pocketing solutions, the Apex reimagines a favorite item with increased capability..
Spyder is a unique brand with a heritage that I had always known and respected. When the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to reinvent the brand as VP of Design and Merchandising and, as per a balance of great design and commercial reality, my team and I made visible change every season. We put Spyder back on top not only for sales growth (Spyder grew annually during my tenure), but for directional, progressive product as well.
Exceptional detail and exquisite finishing. Every aspect of the Legend Collection is custom and studied. Here the Legend Pinnacle Jacket exemplifies the Spyder brand's core design DNA.
The "depth" concept (laser cutting through the shell/foam/shell sandwich) was inspired by looking down into the faces and movement of high-end wrist watches.
Beginning in 2010, I was responsible for Spyder's 700+ piece product line (to include men's, women's, kyd's, lifestyle, and accessories). If someone came into contact with Spyder's collection between Fall '11 and Fall '15, I either conceptualized, designed, fine-tuned, or approved that product.
In my elevated role as SVP of Product and Design starting 2013, I continued to personal design many pieces and obsess over fabrics, constructions, and trims. I have also enjoyed conceptually reinventing merchandising stories to generate excitement in the market (http://vimeo.com/87093801). The obsession made a difference.
Simple and perfect, the Mandate Hoody combines exceptional lightweight with amazing warmth.
Aggressively styled for every day. The GT Kompressor Jacket feels like your favorite down sweater, but cues speed and engineering.
Spyder's heritage is one of speed, progression, and great technology. I had the opportunity to take that heritage and prepare the brand for the next stage of growth by elevating taste and expectation throughout the company.
The GT Beacon Jacket featured in Esquire's Black Book (Summer 2015)
For Spring 15, the GT collection exemplified everything I dreamed for the future of Spyder. An endeavor to broaden reach in the premium apparel market, GT continued my mission of transforming menswear by updating classically known men's garments with new, technical materials and modern design solutions. Each piece was compelling alone, but designed to be infinitely interchangeable with any other.
In addition to all the commercial work for Spyder, I was fortunate to be assigned several special projects during that period. Below, the Audi R8 Jacket was a collaboration with Audi North America to commemorate their new R8 V10 supercar. They wanted to present owners of the car with something special and to accompany the purchase, so we provided them with that. The R8 jacket represented classic Spyder design and technology, but in a classic bomber silhouette. Mission accomplished.
Cut from a 20k/20k poly with a luxury knit hand, the R8 jacket wore like a t-shirt, but performed exceptionally. Fully-taped, lightly insulated with Primaloft Gold, and well-equipped the wearer could barely tell they had it on. The texture on the shoulders is my “armor plating” concept: Laser cut goods were glued to the back of the lightweight shell for a reveal of texture.
Stretch and super breathable, the lightweight woven lining accepted sublimation printing beautifully. Here, the specific Audi R8 V10 engine exclusive to the car that we were celebrating. This made for an epic reveal upon presentation.
As always, careful consideration of trim finishes were always part of our work at Spyder. The fine knit structure of the waterproof/breathable goods is presented here as well.
The following portfolio is a sample of historical work. There are key moments in Salomon apparel history that mean very much to me and new kinds of freedom represented in the Ralph Lauren work. All convey my love of detailed solutions, progressive thinking, and, ideally, a meaningful experience with the garment for the wearer.
Design and the conveyance of ideas has always been central to my work and motivation. As I progressed through the ranks, I always kept creative work as top priority. The chapters in France and New York had allowed that. Back in Boulder, still with Ralph Lauren, but working with other brands as well, I continued to lead with ideas and conceptual thought. The time came, however, for creativity to collide with experience.
As with Spyder, that chapters that have followed have continued the application of ideas (and many more than I'd ever needed before), but also the leadership of full-brand reinvention, managing a team, and planning for tasteful, next-level growth.