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When Karl Lagerfeld sent models down the runway carrying surfboards decorated with the signature Chanel double "C" logo, it marked the beginning of surf-inspired apparel in fashion. The strong sales of surf brands like Quicksilver and Billabong over the past five years, has lead to the creation of the Action Sports Retailers Expo.
And just when one might think that surfing's influence on fashion is all washed up, a Brooklyn designer is putting a new twist on a not so new trend with his line of t-shirts and accessories inspired by two very different places; the streets of New York City and the beach.
"Brooklyn" and "surfer" are two words which are not often used in conversation together, but thanks to the new apparel brand Brooklyn Surfer, that is sure to change.� Created by Brooklyn-based graphic designer Michael Green, with the help of his fashion designer wife, Brooklyn Surfer is a collection of men's, women's and boys' custom designed t-shirts, and accessories, with edgy graphics inspired by the lesser known surf culture of Brooklyn. A native New Yorker, Green's love of surfing is a result of the time he spent catching waves in California while working for Swell.com, an on-line surfing magazine.
When Green returned from his stint out west, he used his past experiences working at Rocawear, Johnny Blaze, Theory, Quicksilver and Swell, in conjunction with his wife's expertise to establish a surf brand with which he could identify. Green remembers getting the idea after seeing a group of surfers carrying their boards on the subway going to Rockaway Beach. As for the inspiration for�his collection Green says, "I get my inspiration from everyday urban life, the concrete, the subway."
Green's innovative style is paying off. Celebrities such as John Turturro have been seen sporting Brooklyn Surfer t-shirts and Green has been featured in In Style and Time Out NYC magazines. Brooklyn Surfer is also a featured brand on fashion.net this month. Currently, Brooklyn Surfer merchandise is available in boutique stores in Brooklyn, New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Florida in the US, and will soon be expanding to Japan and Italy in the coming months. As the brand gains popularity and expands its line, it will be interesting to see how this action-sport urban brand develops. |
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