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Archives: Skateboard

Interview :: Briana Thomas // Chrome Custom Bag Creator

I had the absolute pleasure of spending a few day with Briana Thomas at her Chrome NYC custom bag creating laboratory about a year ago.  We had a good conversation as I drank a tasty Brooklyn IPA and she added a notch on her belt for another custom Chrome bag created.  As I’m sure you could imagine… we talked about the Ride x Create vibe I’d been spreading throughout the city, she dug it, and we’ve been in contact ever since.

Some ideas hit me later than others… this is one of them.  About two weeks ago my over thought processing… thought process, connected properly and “Interview Briana Thomas” popped out (imagine a factory line in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory).

Briana and I had already been talking about [potentially] creating a small run of FOLLY x Chrome Artist Series bags (something similar to this), with custom art by Kyle Steed (our creative dude) ((Please pipe in FOLLY folks if this is something you’d like to see become a reality)); and I expressed “it would be very rad to interview you.”  Briana responded with a good ol’ “of course! sounds great!”, and here we are today!

Without further delay… Here’s a little inside look at the very rad Chrome custom bag creator… Briana Thomas:

Briana Thomas Interview

What does your typical day look like?

Typically I’m working on a custom bag order, sewing our custom messenger bags for a customer who wants a special colorway/fabric. That, combined with a sprinkling of people coming in for repairs/small alterations to their older Chrome bags. 

How long have you been sewing?

I’ve been sewing since I was 15. My mom taught me on my grandmother’s sewing  machine and it’s been with me ever since through college, and several moves. It’s a beast but it never fails me. 

What brought you to NYC?

I came to NYC to go to college at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Originally for evening wear design but I ended up here at Chrome, total opposite, but it’s been amazing. 

Where is your favorite place to get good food?

The tortilla factory (Los Hermanos) in Bushwick! It’s a tortilla factory that runs a small taco/torta place in the side garage. It’s awesome. 

What inspires you in and outside of Chrome?

I think what inspires me personally also works really well inspiring me here at Chrome, maybe that’s why it’s such a good fit. I’m really inspired by traditional mens workwear, functional details, quality made vintage garments (mostly men’s garments) and industrial furniture. Personally and professionally these definitely cross over. 

What is your primary role with Chrome? Do you help out in areas other than sewing?

Most definitely. This is what I love most about Chrome. It’s a very tight knit company and they really do their best to utilize every one’s skills to the fullest. I help with everything from mood boards and color stories for upcoming bags, limited custom bag fabric options (heavy duty wax canvas right now by the way, check it out) and even some designs for our apparel. 

Do you ever sneak in a little custom radery with bags you sew?

About a year ago a lady got a custom bag for her long distance boyfriend, she was going to send it to him for Valentine’s Day. I sewed their initials and a little red cordura heart inside a front pocket and told her I’d put something sweet on the bag that he’d have to look for. He found it eventually and they both loved it. They came in again not too long ago and they’re engaged now! I thought that was really sweet.  

Chrome is a very “arms wide open” type crew. Do you ever struggle to keep that vibe going or does it all flow pretty naturally?

It flows so naturally. With or without alcohol hah. Especially here at my own store in NY. Everyone has their moments, but I’ve met so many great people; people who’ve come in from other places (Folly!) and locals who stop by all the time. I would have never had the opportunity to meet so many great people without having this job, it really requires you to engage and be out of your comfort zone. 

What is your most/least favorite part about living in the city?

My most favorite part is getting around by bike. My least favorite is getting around by bike. I love it for the wonderful moments you have, riding across the Williamsburg bridge at midnight all alone over the water. Beating heavy traffic and congested sidewalks. I hate it for the horribly hectic moments like cab drivers running you off the road, or someone throwing a Twinkie wrapper out of their window and it hitting you in the face (seriously). I also love it for its many Halal trucks. 

Our tag line is “Ride x Create”; have you noticed a deeper creative connection between folks that ride vs. those that don’t?

Oh of course. I think that people who ride may generally be more willing to take risks, to do things a little differently and like a challenge (just saying that makes me think of my commute) and those things and creativity go hand in hand, hell, they basically define creativity, yeah? I have so many people who come in and have so. many. ideas. I wish I could realize every one of them!

If you had to give someone unlimited high fives, who would it be and why?

This was the hardest question to answer. Ugh I could give so many deserving people unlimited high fives. I could obsess over this forever so I’m going to go ahead and say  Sal who works the organic juice bar in the grocer near my house. Sal can make four juices at a time and deals with a lot of demanding hungover hipsters every day with a smile. He is so awesome and cool and amazingly positive. He also insists on putting more vegetables into people’s juices (whether they like it or not) Sal is the best.

Which bag is your daily carry, why and did you make it?

Shamefully, it is not a Chrome bag. But, my boyfriend loves, loves, loves his Soyuz. I love my Ivan for travelling. Truthfully though, I’m super minimal day to day and carry an old leather Mexican saddle bag that was my mom’s. It’s over 50 years old and looks brand new. Gotta love that. 

There you have it FOLLY folks!  12 questions with 12 rad answers from the Ride x Create vibe filled Briana Thomas!  I hope you enjoyed and will also check out Briana’s “Meet The Makers” profile over at Chrome.

Also, stayed tuned to Chrome and the release of their “limited custom bag fabric options” Briana is currently working on.  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Till next time

RIDE x CREATE

Stereo Welcomes Ben Fisher In Their 21st

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVHyXr6HNQY]

 

Not only is Mr. Fisher a very rad addition to the Stereo crew… it just so happens to be in the 21st year of spreading their vibe to the world; and I must say… Stereo is one of the most unique board companies out there.  

Much love Stereo!  Thank you for the 21 years of inspiration!

If the above isn’t enough radery for you… check out this goon filmed by this goon:

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/61537722 w=610&h=343]

Following Kyle from predatory bird on Vimeo.

“Sometimes, when my cat jumps into a cardboard box I’ll quickly shut the lid and carefully carry the whole special package to another part of the house. I’ll set it down, open it up and he’ll pop his head up and look around at his new surroundings.
“You went in the teleportation module!” I’ll announce, grinning at my furry friend.
The cat will stare me down with his piercing feline eyes.
“You reckless bastard” his little cat expression says. “You did not take adequate clean room precautions!” he reprimands. “There could have been a fly in here and our DNA could have got all jumbled up together! What the hell were you thinking?”
He’s right. It is dangerous.
This is why the latest Following video is the best so far. Virtuoso sidewalk surfer and solid friend of the bird Kyle Leeper already knew about the perils of teleportation yet he forged ahead all the same.
Here’s how it came to be: I transported my life to Portland to wallow in the misery of a northwestern winter. My departure from Southern California of course left a gaping hole but instead of getting depressed about what was gone Kyle got sparked on all that remained; smart Kyle. Joe Pease and him blasted around the streets of San Diego fearlessly hyperlinking between spots with little regard for the inherent hazards. If the results of their efforts don’t make you want to skate then we can be of no further help to you. Good day.” – John Rattray

Poler Flagship Store GRAND OPENING

Poler Grand Opening

BIG congratulations to Poler for taking this very rad step!  Very inspiring to push on and create epicity for the worlds enjoyment! 

I’m so excited for yous guys!  New goal in my travels… hit up the Poler Flagship.

If you’re even remotely close to the great city of Portland… um, you should be in attendance to check this out and support Poler!  Good time vibes!  

Cheers!

RIDE x CREATE 

 

Skateboarder Mag :: Ben Krahn Interview

Ben Krahn

“1. Go-to-trick: 
Ollie? I try to do them as often as possible. When is the ollie ever not going to be cool? “Oh, you just ollie’d over a picnic table?…. WEAK!!!” Sorry, you will never hear that. The ollie is the coolest trick of all time and always will be.”

PROTECTOR OF THE GNAR

Blood Wizard Pro Ben Krahn got interviewed by Skateboarder Magazine.  I highly recommend you check it out!  Dude is most definitely a Gnarnian.  Don’t believe me… check the vid below essay!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kbAxjNKOg]

 

FOLLY :: Skate Deck Spring Sale

Folly_Fun_Deck

Tis the season!

Weather getting awesome. Blue birds landing on shoulders. Thrashery calling your name. 

We still have a few skate decks in stock and want to bless you fine thrasherians with them.  $32 bones (free shipping in the States) and this bad boy is yours for the thrashing.

RIDE x CREATE    

 

Matix Clothing :: “Who Is Daewon Song?”

[vimeo 61052180 w=610 h=343]

Who Is Daewon Song? from Matix Clothing on Vimeo.

One of the radest skaters of all time.  I love the style/added creative perspective he brings to skateboarding! 

I didn’t pick up on Matix till about 2003.  Marc Johnson was obviously a crowd pleaser with his high tech style mixed in with humor.  His part in “Fully Flared” is by far one of my favorite.  Daewon’s part in the new Almost vid “5 Incher” could easily be described as… skateboard freestyle? HA!  His ability seems to be endless and I dig that.  To be honest, the entire Matix crew complements each other in that way… an endless pursuit to keep on riding and creating something the world has never seen.

“It’s just funny how all these things we talked about on the kitchen floor having pizza actually went into motion.”

EXACTLY!  Dreamers, creators, the imaginative… we are skateboarders, cyclist, artists, you, me, anybody!  Don’t let the doubt daemons creep into your brain bucket and steal your creativity/passion/motivation before it has even begun!      

Matix says it best: 

“Everyday is an adventure and every weekend is a trip. Let your creative sense take hold and explore new paths. In the end our goal is to create something unique for those who share this common bond.” 

RIDE x CREATE

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