On Saturday, November 28th we will be hosting an exclusive shopping event at our Venice, CA showroom with a very cool brand, BARE.
BARE is a unique lifestyle brand inspired by art, culture and travel. They create travel accessories with a focus on innovative design, distinctive material selection and versatility. Their products cater to the stylish world traveler with an adventurous spirit and a passion to seek experience.
Co-founder, Justin, answered a few questions for us.
What first inspired the brand?
BARE was created when founders Grason Ratowsky and Justin Biel came up with the idea to create a business and build products that could incorporate their love for travel, art and design. BARE’s first collection was inspired by a trip the two founders took to Costa Rica and featured unique, original prints on burlap coffee sacks paired with wax canvas and leather. From this first collection BARE’s travel bag offerings, silhouettes and materials have evolved into a full range of travel bags and accessories.
Each BARE piece is meticulously composed of materials of the highest quality, which directly influence product form and function. Our travel accessories merge natural, durable textiles and lush premium leathers with solid brass hardware to create pieces built to last. BARE designs systematically unite the synergy between aesthetics and purpose.
What are your favorite pieces in the current collection?
The Park Portfolio Pack is by far my favorite item in the AW15 Wool Collection. It’s a beautifully constructed, versatile mobile office that you can wear multiple ways, constructed of Merino Wool, Buffalo Leather, and hand cast brass hardware. I have never seen anything similar to this design and its uniqueness and individuality make it my go to piece from the collection.
What is your favorite place to go when you’re back in Colorado?
As Boulder is my hometown I love spending time near the flatirons, hiking any of the trails around town and ending up on Pearl Street for an afternoon bite. If I’m heading to the mountains Salida, CO is my go to spot.
Salida is this beautiful, little known town that is the perfect mix of artists, ranchers and outdoorsy mountain people. Majestic Colorado fourteeners, rivers and some great ski resorts, surround the area. I’ve grown up going there since I was a kid and to me this area truly represents the beauty of Colorado.
What’s next for the brand?
BARE’s SS16 Collection will be the most elegant line to date while still maintaining our brands design aesthetic and value on quality construction. Expect lots of leather…
What do you like about Todd Reed’s jewelry and do you have a favorite design?
Todd’s jewelry seems to display raw emotion alongside impeccable design. Todd doesn’t follow traditional jewelry making aesthetic and chooses to highlight materials in a unique way unlike any other jewelry maker around. The raw diamond rings Todd make for men, specifically TRDR201, is my current favorite piece from his collection.
Join us for our event on Saturday, November 28th from 2-8pm at 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, CA.