The last few months have been really hectic with designing the new line, building out the new office / retail space and working on various logo projects for clients.
New line sheets are finally out for the Benny Gold brand and orders are starting to come in already. I can now get back to moving into our new space. If you are lucky enough to live close to a store that stocks the line please remind them to get their orders in. It's the customer support that has got us to this point.
If you are a shop that wants to stock the line also please hit me up at sales@bennygold.com with store name, description and a list of other brands you carry. I'm going skating the rain finally stopped in SF.
The new issue of UNDR RPBLC MGZN just dropped. Photographer Jerry Buttles has a series of artist portraits featured in the issue. I am honored to be included with other San Francisco icons: Mike Giant and Jeremy Fish. This might be the last portrait shot of me in my current home office as I am moving the studio into a beautiful new retail space in the Mission district of SF.
Dealer in Gold Profile: Exit Skate Shop, Philadelphia
Monday, February 01, 2010
EXIT Skateshop had a really nice feature on the largest skateboard site out right now The Berrics. They highlighted some Benny Gold clothing (check 2:36), so I thought it was only right to repost it on our site. Thanks Steve for the shout and stocking the line. I really appreciate it! I need to come out and skate your park with you soon!
This is big year for me and the brand. We are moving into our new head quarters. We needed a space that can be used for multiple purposes (design studio / warehouse / retail space). I found a great 2 floor location in the mission district of SF. Here are a few pics of the buildout for the upstairs design studio.
This is how it looked before we got in there. Nasty red carpet everywhere.
Pulled the carpet up to a find a water damaged douglas fir floor. Hell yeah! That carpet gotta go!
It was harder then i thought to get rid of the carpet. Some serious old glue and tile underneath.
Sanded, stained and sealed - much better already and we are just getting started!
Next up is paint. Found some magnetic paint for the walls. No more messy cork board inspiration wall to hold sketches.
Every design studio needs a good reference library. Hired a contractor to build out the walk-in closet as a mini library.
Floor to ceiling wrap around shelving. Added the vintage pencil sharpener to complete the look.
Moving in - I always loved vintage steel tanker desks from the 50's. I promised myself when I open a space I would track down a set down.
Next we are starting on the retail portion of the space..
With the success of last years Mash Cinelli frame we got to release a second color option for this year. I incorporated the lighting bolt, from the Mash logo, into the bikes paint scheme giving the bike a feeling of speed. I also snuck the Benny Gold paper airplane icon onto the bottom bracket - ha! This years green and white colors were inspired by a classic Adidas Rod Laver. The bike will be available in spring and I can't wait!
Last year Gravis hired me to work on their Expedition Series. I created graphics inspired by vintage camp patches, but with a skateboard, surf and snow twist to fit their brand. The patches were designed for their bags shoes and apparel collections. Stay tuned because these products will be in store mid February.
Dealer in Gold Profile: Commune Manila, Philippines
Friday, January 22, 2010
When I started making random stuff like a run of stickers or a hand screen shirt in my kitchen I had no idea that one day it would be available around the world. New to our dealer list is Commune in Manila. It's amazing that an independent project started in a San Francisco studio apartment can end up being sold half way across the world in the Philippines!
Thank you all for keeping up with the brand and all the support. Without you it would have never made it out of my studio apartment and into such great stores. We are just getting started!
I was in the bookstore the other day looking for a design reference when I came across this book. I flipped through the pages and I was pleasantly surprised to stumbled upon some of my design work. They showcased a Stussy t-shirt I designed and the Nike Hufquakes.
I signed the release form for these images so long ago that I forgot they were going to be published in a book. It was a nice surprise to randomly find them in print at the local book store.
There are some friends in life that you know will always be there for you. Leland and Johnny are those guys to a lot of people in SF. They have been supplying most of the city with all the Roughneck Hardware we need and a consistent daily dose of skating on the 48 Blocks site.
They recently got together and opened the DWNTWN skate shop. It's located in the middle of the the Tenderloin and Nob Hill areas of San Francisco. It's funny that they are on the fringe of both those SF neighborhoods because that speaks to them as business patners. Johnny is hesh and Leland is fresh. Life is about balance. I try to live my life that way also - not too far on either side.
Check out their introductory shop video and stop by to pick up some Benny Gold gear. They supported most of the city for years and now its our turn to return the favor. All the best guys!
The tattoo emails continue to come in. Matt Burnaford sent in this pic of his recent Benny Gold paper plane tattoo. Good looks! Anyone out there with the balsa wood glider plane tattoo?
Remember to post these up into the Gold Flickr group It's growing into an amazing archive by all of you! Thank you!
I have been working with the Vault store in NYC for awhile. The mail got dropped off yesterday with a surprise package from them. They sent over a nice little retrospective of New Era hats, that I designed for them, with a thank you letter.
Here is a look at some of the hats we worked on together. You can also see some of the Vault shirts in the portfolio section on the site here.
It's rare for clients to appreciate the designer long after a project is done. - Thank you, it means a lot!
You all know that I love paper planes. I am fascinated with the double meanings they carry of both youth and growth simultaneously. They have become an important part of the Benny Gold brand and has worked as our logo.
The paper plane symbolizes both our youth and where we are going in life. Put in motion a paper plane has endless possibilities just like we all do, but still holds that special childhood magic. Ace gets this ideal and has a lasting reminder of that inked on her finger. Thanks Ace for sharing your new tattoo with us!
I am honored and you are right.. "The only way to fly is up"!
For more of Ace's tattoo check out her site. She posted a really nice story behind it. Also check her pics in the Gold Flickr Group. It's growing into an amazing archive by all of you!
The new issue of Japanese magazine Common is out. They were nice enough to give us a little shine on the back cover. As always they are free with every order we ship from our online store. They put out another solid issue and it's a good read with articles on SSUR, Krink, Mash and Deadline!
A new year is upon us. Here is the first look at a few things we have in production for this year. I'll post more as the sampling and production moves forward. Were off to a good start and I hope you are as well!
I spent the start of 2010 at a Zen Buddhist temple in New Mexico reflecting on the past year and moving forward this comming year. It was a great way to start the year off! I hope for everyone to have a peaceful and prosperous year!
The Zen center sat on a natural hot springs. I spent most of my time soaking in the healing waters and being open to the Possibilities of things to come
Very peaceful. The snow helped to add to the calm
New Mexico is beautiful! It's full of red rocks and ancient Native American Indian dwellings. We also were invited into an Indian home for dinner where we had to pay respects to their elders.
On the way out you know I had to get a sticker up. All the best in the new year. Lets make it epic!
Another year is about to close out. I spent the holiday in LA skating with friends, visiting family and taking a nice break from work. I hope you all had a great holiday! I'm really looking forward to the new year and the possibilities it holds.
Chilled and skated with my homie Hersk. Pick up the shirt he designed for this holidays line here. It's really nice and almost as clean as his back smith.
Felt great to get away for a few days and get some solid skate days in. Smith grind up at the new Dyrdek skate plaza. He is building amazing parks in LA. Rob, we need some in SF!
Shabu Shabu holiday dinner at my wifes families house
Thank you to everyone that has been adding pics to the Gold flickr Group. It has grown into an amazing archive! Keep the pics coming. I will still be giving out random prizes.
If you also want some free stuff all you have to do is upload a pic of yourself wearing a Benny Gold item to the flickr group. I'll get in contact with the winners and post the pics on our site. It's awesome to see the people that support the line and I want to give you some free stuff because of it!
The first prize goes to Jon in Las Vegas NV for the best hair cut I have ever seen!
I decided to give another prize to Dom Salbatera for showing off his extensive Benny Gold collection. What no socks?
True is the original streetwear store in San Francisco. It is the store that all the local brands measured their success by getting them to stock your line. True has been around and helped grow the scene in the bay area for many years. I am really proud to have them offer the Benny Gold brand in both their SF and Walnut Creak stores.
Does this mean we finally are a success? Only time will tell. I do feel a step closer knowing that True us backing us.
I have been working out of my home office for the past 7+ years. The Benny Gold Brand started with just a random sticker to put up around town on my adventures. There was no money behind it, no investors just a sticker on a light pole or newspaper machine. I am proud to see how it has grown since then. You can do anything if you put your mind to it! I recently signed a lease on our first official head quarters. We move in on the 1st of the new year. I couldn't think of a better way to start the year!
Here are some pics of the space as is. It's a 2 floor free standing building in the mission district of SF. All the classic details really attracted me to the space. I still need to get in there to clean it up and give it that golden touch.
We are very pleased to add Chicagos finest Saint Alfred's to our dealer list. They are one of the few premier stores in the country. Not only are they a great store but their house brand is also very well respected. If you find yourself in the Chicago area and looking for the finest footwear and streetwear Saint Alfred's is the spot. Let them know that you are glad they are stocking the Benny Gold brand.
The flickr group has been growing with pics of you wearing the clothes. We are going to be giving out random shirts and other gifts for the best pics in the group. Keep em’ coming. Let’s see who’s down!
All you got to do to win free stuff is upload a pic of you wearing a Benny Gold item to the flickr group. I’ll get in contact with the winners and post the pics on our site. It’s awesome to see the people that support the line and I want to give you some free stuff because of it!
I'm very proud to present these new sticker designs and colors. I'm especially excited to get the B.Gold bumper stickers into the streets. The idea came from the mantra "Stay Gold" and keeping that way regardless of age. Our youth mentality and the things we hold dear are the real gold inside all of us.
The Benny Gold brand grew from the same formula and I eventually adopted Gold as part of my name as a promise to remain young while not losing sight of the things I cherish. These stickers are subtle reminders meant to live on stop signs, newspapers machines, bathroom walls, and of course... t-shirts.
Thank you to everyone out there that believes in it as much as I do — stay young till you die!
On a side note — I couldn't help but make some Gorilla Biscuit styled stickers from our collab with The Hundreds. GB was my favorite band as a kid and their positive attitude fits well with my rant about youth.
Longtime Benny Gold supporter and friends over at Krudmart recently went through a change of ownership. They decided to do a photo shoot to announce the changes. Check the video for a bunch of Benny Gold clothing cameos and pick some up for yourself on their site.
Good luck guys! I appreciate the continued support and happy to still be on board with the Krud!
Everyone knows Vegas for the parties, the gambling and tradeshows. Do you know that Vegas is also home to a great boutique named KNYEW? The last time I was there I stopped by the store to see what they have going on and talk about bringing the Benny Gold line in. They house a ton of great brands and I am pleased to now have our line stocked their as well. The next time you are in Vegas for whatever reason stop by their shop you will be happy you did!
Rebel8 and I wanted to offer something exclusive to a few key store accounts this holiday season. These stores have fully supported the brand over the past year and we wanted to thank them. The recession has been especially tough on retail stores and hopefully this helps out in some small way - Happy Holidays!
The hat is part of the collaboration between Rebel8 and Benny Gold. This special holiday colorway is Black and Crime Scene Orange to push the "Partners in Crime" theme. The color is also a take on the SF Giants black and orange team colors since we are both from this great city!
Thanks again to all of you for your support over the year as well. I really appreciate it!
