Name:
Derek Galkin (left) & Steven Tiller (right)

Company:
SeaVees

Position:
Co-Founders

What is the story behind the company/brand?:
SeaVees celebrates the casual style of California in the 1960s. The brand is a study in sixties revisionism, each style named after an influential date in California history.

Think Steve McQueen cool, Richard Neutra clean and Brian Wilson creative. Now think of these things with 40 years of perspective, appreciation, and contemplation. 

SeaVees is a journey through which to understand California’s vital role in influencing American culture. SeaVees is Authentic California.

Where do you go for inspiration?:
We are endlessly and consistently inspired by the casual style of California in the 1960s. Truly the coolest place on the planet in the coolest of times. Specific to our Spring 2012 collection, we were inspired by the September 1961 founding of the Peace Corps – one of the best and bravest ideas of the last half century. This gave us our new 09/61Volunteer Plimsoll. We were also inspired by the road tripping Southern California surfers who founded the Baja Surf Club in September 1966. With this we created our new 09/66 Huarache. These are just two examples of our design philosophy that speak to the potential of the past to authentically play out in new product.

Is there anything special about the product? (materials, the process, etc.):
Every collection for us is a continuation in rediscovering the 1960s California lifestyle. While our creative origin never changes, we obsess of the subtleties and find our tastes evolve over time. This can be felt in Spring 12 with narrower toes and lower profile silhouettes throughout the line. We work hard to differentiate ourselves by the materials we use so this spring there’s a lot of garment dying and sea washing to accomplish just the right effect. We imported chambray and organic gingham from Japan, and resurrected a beefy oxford cloth from the 60s archives of our American supplier. We used a very cool organic canvas for the first time and continue to use bamboo throughout the collection. For colors, we feel strongly about slate navy, brick, tin grey and flax.

What are the design principles in every piece? (What can I find in every piece?):
The marriage of minimal and utility we discuss all the time. These understated subtleties are important in our collection because we value the understated and hope to never be accused of over-design. This shift to a more refined expression we feel is the next evolution of utility.

What are 3 words you would use to describe your company?:
Authentic / Loyal / Consistent

Personal Style Questions

Blackberry or iPhone?: iphone

Necktie or Bow-tie?: Necktie

Socks or No Socks?: No socks.

Denim or Chino’s?: Chino

What denim/chino brand are you wearing now?:
RRL

Do you carry some type of bag (tote, messenger, etc.)? If so, what can we always find in it?:
Phone and a money clip

What’s one thing you think every man should own?
A good pair of SeaVees.