Surf Tees

The beach with dad. When I was young, once a year we got to go to the beach. OBX, Pawleys Island, it was a reprieve from the chaos life was made of at home. And I fell madly in love with the ocean. I remember almost straining every sense that I had trying to soak up as much of the sights, sounds, smells, textures… TRULY feel the sand under my feet, in my hands, immersing myself in the water and fearlessly swimming out as far as my body could take me. It had a sensual quality. And a feeling of home that I couldn’t quite make sense of at that age, but it was important. Vital to my mental health. The longing after the week was over was often unbearable to me. That’s when I fell in love with those little east coast mom and pop surf shops. And the culture that I could never fully be a part of because of the distance. But I would always come home with a surf tee, a bar of surf wax that smelled of the things I loved most, and a dream. While home in Kentucky, I’d read surfer magazine like it was the Bible. I’d follow names like Tom Curren and Kelly Slater, imagining that one day I could do what they did. I was a skater kid and also followed Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain and Steve Caballero like most kids at home followed football players. Perpetual motion. It was, and still is in my blood. Through my adult life, even today, I still feel that same pull. The second I step on the sand, I become that 7 year old, completely mesmerized by the tides. The senses. The unseen creatures and sheer, all consuming power of the waves.
My art, here specifically, my photography at its root has never been about becoming a professional photographer. It started with a thrift store camera and a void to fill. I never sought out a specific style or brand when I started shooting, it was all in the name of finding an artistic expression and a therapeutic outlet. My images, for the most part, came from a place in my head. A moment. A memory recreated in order to deal with a part of my past, for better or worse. And having late in life diagnosed AuDHD, I have come to realize it has been a way to connect with others like me in a world that I’ve never felt entirely comfortable in, especially when it comes to social interaction. Turning that into a brand, a piece of wearable art, it’s been challenging. But it has been one beautiful journey. And a huge part of recovery and therapy. This path has made me remember my past and learn myself in more ways than I knew possible.
Starting an ethical and sustainable brand also has its challenges. Though society is more aware of the dangers and darkness surrounding the fast fashion industry and its effects on the people and the environment of this planet, it is still not as streamlined as we’d like. Sourcing the right products that actually complete the vision of the piece is no joke. But through a year of trying, falling and trying again, thrift shop searches, late nights spent on the internet, we finally found a company who not only checks the ethics and earth positive boxes, but makes a very high quality product that fulfills the vision completely. Our burnout surf tees are light. Comfortable to the point that you sometimes feel as if you’re not wearing a shirt at all, and for someone with sensory issues, they are about the only thing I will wear anymore. Perfect for a cover up, translucent when wet, but quick to dry, a true vintage feel that I love. And because we use sublimation printing, by hand, not only is every shirt slightly different… unique.. but we can feel good about the fact that we are doing our best to protect the planet while still delivering something special.

-Colin