Street Beat: Gravis
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From: SurfSalad.com August 05, 2010 |
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Photo: Gravis
Joe Babcock, Director of Products for GravisIf BNQT was in the footwear / bags / luggage business, we'd be in stiff competition with Gravis. See, both companies bridge the gap between action sports and lifestyle (let's just call this space "action style").
Since 1999, Gravis has been providing premium footwear, bags and luggage that are functional yet sophisticated. Gravis relies not only on its 28+ employees but also its top team riders and artists for inspiration. Whether its shoes, sandals, or bags, Gravis is always looking out to keep your game tight and swagger in check. Joe Babcock, Director of Product, sits in the Street Beat hot seat. Enjoy!
- Danny Spyra
Photo: Gravis
Gravis team rider Dylan Rieder, noseblunt
BNQT - GRAVIS FOOTWEAR, BAGS AND LUGGAGE ARE NOT ONLY DURABLE BUT SUPREMELY STYLISH. WHAT COLLECTIONS DO YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR FALL 2010?
Joe - Thanks for the props! The FW10 Gravis has two collections of products that are available exclusively at skateboard shops and specialty footwear / bag stores. Our design inspiration is a formula where we blend clean design lines with a variety of quality materials like canvas, waxy coated canvas, polished suede and full grain leathers. Our seasonal color palette uses muted off-tones, earth tones, and shades of grey and black. We take pride in manufacturing quality stylish products.
Our Skate collection is a focused line available exclusively at authorized skate shops. This season, we are launching a new style called the Dylan Slip On. It is a vulcanized version of Dylan's original dressier skate shoe. Our Gravis footwear range is an assortment of styles that take design inspiration to vintage athletic and high-end luxury branded styling. We use a variety of shapes and constructions to give our line personality and attract a wider audience of consumers.
The Bag and Luggage category has been part of our brand's platform since day one. The function, design and aesthetic of the range gives them a personality of their own. For FW10 we offer a variety of materials from rip stop nylons, brushed cordura and ballistic nylons. The color stories lock up with our footwear and present seasonal flavor. Our luggage program offers up two roller bag styles and a new travel duffle, which is a perfect piece for a four day road trip. As always we have a stable of backpacks ranging in price and features.
Photo: Gravis
The Slymz: low top, high style
BNQT - THE SLYMZ ARE A LOW TOP SHOE WITH HIGH STYLE. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS PAIR OF KICKS?
Joe - It's true! The Slymz are nice! The inspiration was focused on timelessness and retro vulcanized construction. To set them off a bit we developed a slender fit that gives the shoe a low profile look and snug fit. Then we added a two stripe foxing detail.
Photo: Gravis
The Dylan Oxblood - only 300 available
BNQT - DYLAN RIEDER HAS BEEN KILLING IT ON THE SKATE SIDE OF THINGS. HIS SIGNATURE SHOE, THE DYLAN, HAS A LIMITED COLORWAY CALLED OXBLOOD. HOW WILL WE BE ABLE TO FIND THEM?
Joe - Gravis Footwear is making a limited edition run of 300 pairs. 10 selected skate core retailers; BLVD, Familia, Goods, Jacks, Liberty, Milio, Skatewarehouse, Uprise, Utility and Vertical Urge will each receive 24 pairs to sell in store September 15th.
The remaining 60 pairs will be used for promotions (USA, MSRP) $110.
BNQT - WHAT ELSE HAS DYLAN BEEN UP TO; I HEARD HE HAS HIS OWN VIDEO PART COMING OUT?
Joe - His exclusive shoe color way coincides with a solo part in a soon-to-be released Gravis film project with world-renowned filmer, Greg Hunt featuring the "best of" Dylan video called, "Dylan Reider a short film by Gravis Footwear." A free DVD will be inserted in the October issue of The Skateboard Mag sold only at skateshops, starting 9/1. The online launch is TBD at www.gravisskateboarding.com
This year has been an intense skateboarding year for Dylan with tours and filming and he recently became a co-owner of a private skate park for the pro's only in an undisclosed location in Los Angeles.
Photo: Gravis
The Indo shoes, a great travel companion
BNQT - GRAVIS MAKES SHOES FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES, ONE OF THEM BEING TRAVELING. WHAT MAKES THE INDO SHOE A GOOD TRAVEL COMPANION?
Joe - It's key to pack light when you are on the road. Too much stuff just slows you down and limits the space to pack gems from the trip. So, we designed the Indo to be a complimentary pair of kicks on the road. Much like an all-terrain vehicle they are lightweight, comfortable and have lug traction outsoles. 
Photo: Gravis
The aptly named Travel Duffle
BNQT - LET'S MOVE ONTO BAGS. THE TRAVEL DUFFLE SEEMS LIKE A VERY PRACTICAL PIECE OF LUGGAGE. WHAT FEATURES DOES IT HAVE?
Joe - The Travel Duffle is a great bag! It is perfect for a two to four day road trip. On the sides are slender drop down pockets for a laptop, pens, cords and sketchbooks. The inside main pocket is a big open bucket for clothing and on the side is a garage pocket that keeps dirty shoes or clothing away from the clean goods.
Photo: Gravis
The Yar, designed by Thomas Campbell
BNQT - HOW DID THIS COLLABORATION WITH ARTIST THOMAS CAMPBELL COME TOGETHER? WHEN WILL HIS BAG BE IN STORES?
Joe - Thomas Campbell is a part of the Gravis family and is a sponsored artist. He works closely inspiring our team of designers. "I love the fact Thomas works in so many medium's, from film making to photography to all the art he creates. His body of work touches skaters, surfers and the art world; we are so happy to work with him," says Maurice Torres, Global Marketing Director for Gravis Footwear. The first collaboration, the Yar bag will launch in Fall/Winter 2010 at a MSRP of $75.
Street Beat Archive:
Dustin & Dylan Odbert with ambsn
John Harbin with West Wetsuits
Nicole Hanriot with TAVIK Swimwear
Matt Gleason with Liquid Force
Jonathan Paskowitz with Lightning Bolt
I'm really liking the Slymz - will have to check them out!! Thanks for the info on Gravis -