Authenticity, passion, and know how.
I was born and raised in Southern California and have been a life long participant in its unique sub-cultures. I spent my youth skateboarding, surfing and playing guitar in a garage band - I wasn't very good at any of these then and am still not now. But as a result of these experiences, I have had a life-long relationship with fashion, music, art, and design.
One of my earliest memories involving design is getting to special order and pick the colors of the panels of my Van sneakers and Quicksilver surf trunks; this was before I discovered what a can of spray paint could do to both of these,including my surfboard. I went on from these custom purchases and garage projects to attend and graduate from Otis Parsons School of Art and Design in Los Angeles with a degree in Fine Arts.
Following graduation and knowing Fine Art wasn't my future I jumped into the fashion world; working for several noted companies including Fresh Jive (Warriors Of Radness), Tag Rag (Tag Jeans), and L'Koral (Seven For All Mankind).
After working with these and some other great companies I went onto start my own. Ottoshop was the first, a directional Men's Sportswear line consisting of woven (denim, twill, shirting), knits and leather. It was nominated as one of GenArt's Fresh Faces Fashion Show. The second was Horn, a straight ahead Denim line for both Women and Men.
My design outlook and aesthetic are largely influenced by this unique California experience. While my design work and interests have become more sophisticated, I am still rooted in the experience and seek to keep my authenticity in everything I do.
Development: Concept to Production
Design and Press
GenArt's Fresh Faces Fashion Show
