Posts in Individuals of Interest
Jay Potocar - Profile

Jay and his daughter Avery James. photo: Jeff Potocar Today we are featuring our friend Jay Potocar. Mr. Potocar is greatly respected for his contributions behind the scenes at the legendary Van Doren Rubber Company (Vans). I first met Jay a few years back when I had the opportunity to design a shoe for Vans. Working with Jay and his team was a 25 year dream that manifested itself last Fall. I started as a consumer of the brand, a 10 year team rider and till this day we at the office still wear the functionable and fashionable waffle soles regularly. From the core skateboarder to the polished fashion guy - Vans has a pair of sneakers that represents your lifestyle.

Jay has spearheaded the launch of numerous notable campaigns for the brand. Here is a little insight into his creative world:

1. What is your official role and duties for Vans? Jay Potocar. Senior Product Development Manager. I make stuff.

2. Describe the design and thought process behind the birth of a shoe. The process starts with a product brief that's handed off to Design where concepts are sketched against.  A tech pack is created then delivered to Development where we begin the sampling process.  After multiple rounds of samples, the final confirmation spec is issued to the factory and Production starts.  From Brief to Build, it's an 18 month cycle.  

The thought process varies based on what problems we are trying to solve.  The process is there to flush out the most viable product option.  

3. Everyone wants to do a collaboration/specailty/one-of-a-kind/limited/fancy schmancy shoe with you, how do you choose? If it's Max Schaaf or Yo Gabba Gabba! or Dennis Hopper, they reflect our pure expression of creativity.  Through that, we maintain brand and product integrity.  There are so many different reasons we choose to work with an outside design source and though there are a myriad of people and brands we have partnered with in the past I think they all make sense for Vans and who we are.  

4. Part of progressing athletic shoes is you need to bring new technology to the market. Vans roots are embedded in generations who wear the classics, how do you balance progression and culture? Please explain a little. Through Product Design and Development, our goal is to produce footwear that is innovative both stylistically and functionally.  We just built the world's first vulcanized cupsole, the "Wafflecup". It grips and feels like our Classics, but is a supportive and durable modern cupsole. The best of both worlds.  Seriously, no one has ever vulcanized a cupsole before and it's rad.  Progression is forgotten if it doesn't solve a real problem and Vans progresses by building what functions better for skateboarding and through that we connect our generations of skateboarders - from Alva to Cardiel to Rowley to this next generation of skaters like Elijah Berle.  That kid rules.  

5. "Style is Everything" is our motto, who do you think has style? the Gonz.  

Thank you Jay for your contributions and dedication to the sneaker culture. *Jay proudly uses our pomade to look top-notch.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Individuals of Interest, Supportadmin
Born This Day - Akira Kurosawa

director kurosawa kurosawa and legendary actor toshiro mifune on the set

Some were critical of him, some were influenced by him, but we can't deny his significant place in cinematic history.

Happy Birthday Mr. Kurosawa.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Arts & Culture, Individuals of Interestadmin
j. decker for grant's

Jeff Decker at Hippodrome Studio from Lab Coat on Vimeo.

a short insight into the life of our friend - Jeff Decker. for those that don't know jeff is a vintage motorcycle customizer/restorer, classic car conditioner and the OFFICIAL sculptor commissioned by Harley Davidson. jeff's rides are tauted as some of the rarest customized pieces on wheels. his sculptures are also highly acclaimed by the high brow art socialites along with the low brow chopper circles. jeff in our books is a modern day high stlyed gent who is the real deal - no faux motor culture/fashion wanna be here. jeff is looking top notch now that he uses Grant's Golden Brand.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Arts & Culture, Great Hair, Individuals of Interest, Respectadmin
turkey time

photo:t.n. our old friend jason j with his pet turkey. jason says our pomade makes his pomp look ~ "pompadorable."

happy thanksgiving friends Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Featured, Individuals of Interestadmin
long live kess

photos:i.sierra two years ago today we lost our dear friend andy kessler, who many refer to as the "king of new york." he was one of the original zoo york crew from the early 70's who helped define the aesthetic and grit of early new york street graffiti. andy later went on to become the godfather of skateboarding of the big apple. always an advocate for the youth he successfully designed and built skate parks for the next generations. throughout the 5 boroughs socialites to the skaters all give praise to the kess.

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Individuals of Interest, RespectadminStyle is Everything
an original man of men

A bit of inspiration from one of the most inspirational people to help you get through the week.

"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." -Bruce Lee

Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Individuals of InterestadminStyle is Everything
Stay Free

the original aerosol mural of joey. niagra bar / east village nyc.

years later his music and message lives on, the poet from the "only band that matters." never forget: j. strummer

know your rights Grant's Golden Brand Pomade the premiere water-based pomade made in the good old USA

Individuals of Interest, Respectadminlegends, look better use Grant's