For a lot of skateboarders, the creativity does not stop flowing once you step off the board, and Eli Reed is no exception. The professional skateboarder, artist, and filmmaker who recently had the honor of gracing the legendary Skateboarder Magazine's final cover has been diligently working on his apparel line since 2011. I had the chance to talk with Eli about skateboarding, the line, the T-shirt he designed exclusively for OC, and why putting on a brand new pair of socks always feels good.
Shop all Eli Reed HERE
Has having your own brand always been a dream of yours?
I wouldn't say always, but I would say it was a fantasy of mine for a long time that grew bigger and bigger until I said fuck it, and just started making stuff.
What made you want to start with socks?
I've always had a weird sock fetish. In skating, the look and feel of your feet is very important. There's no better feeling than putting on fresh socks and going skating. Everyone likes new socks. I just wanted to make some patterns on socks that I didn't see anyone else doing. So I did.
When it comes to designing, what do you find to be the biggest influences?
I'm influenced by so many things it's hard to say, but really it's everyday life. I'm inspired by a lot of classic American icons. I love the look and feel of the 50s. The music as well. Classic jazz always sparked my creative side. The women around me are a big influence in my life as well. Their style and attitude always amazes me. The feeling of skating consistently inspires me every day. There's so much to take in when skating around New York, from Tribeca to the Bronx; the buildings and architecture of New York is amazing. Sometimes I get lost looking at different buildings. Traveling is also very important to me. Seeing the rest of the world informs my perspective of what good design really is. Design is everywhere we look. I just try to absorb things I like and project them back out the way I want to be seen.
The Lennon tee is one of your brand's best known styles. How did the design come about?
The John Lennon graphic was actually going to be a board graphic years ago for this company called Vehicle but we never put it out. I always loved it and had it in the back of my mind. So then years later, I just changed it a little and put it out as a shirt.
The focus of your logo-less tees seems to be the main graphic. Was that a conscious decision to allow the graphic/photo to speak for itself, rather than brand your tees?
I was never really into logo shirts. As of now, yes, I do want the graphics to speak for themselves, although I do know how important it is for some brands to have a strong logo. Some people just want a logo shirt; I like the brands that don't oversaturate their stuff with them. As my brand grows I'm sure I'll start using logos more, but they will most likely be small and basic. Logos won't be my primary focus.
Who are some artists or brands that you would want to collaborate with in the future?
Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Ted Muehling, Patagonia, and Opening Ceremony.
What's the story behind the OC-exclusive piece?
It's a graphic of a girl biting another girl's tit that people liked from my last season of shirts. So I made it into a long sleeve that says "Love Hurts" down the sides. I always liked that saying and find it to be true some way or another
Shop all Eli Reed HERE
Has having your own brand always been a dream of yours?
I wouldn't say always, but I would say it was a fantasy of mine for a long time that grew bigger and bigger until I said fuck it, and just started making stuff.
What made you want to start with socks?
I've always had a weird sock fetish. In skating, the look and feel of your feet is very important. There's no better feeling than putting on fresh socks and going skating. Everyone likes new socks. I just wanted to make some patterns on socks that I didn't see anyone else doing. So I did.
When it comes to designing, what do you find to be the biggest influences?
I'm influenced by so many things it's hard to say, but really it's everyday life. I'm inspired by a lot of classic American icons. I love the look and feel of the 50s. The music as well. Classic jazz always sparked my creative side. The women around me are a big influence in my life as well. Their style and attitude always amazes me. The feeling of skating consistently inspires me every day. There's so much to take in when skating around New York, from Tribeca to the Bronx; the buildings and architecture of New York is amazing. Sometimes I get lost looking at different buildings. Traveling is also very important to me. Seeing the rest of the world informs my perspective of what good design really is. Design is everywhere we look. I just try to absorb things I like and project them back out the way I want to be seen.
The Lennon tee is one of your brand's best known styles. How did the design come about?
The John Lennon graphic was actually going to be a board graphic years ago for this company called Vehicle but we never put it out. I always loved it and had it in the back of my mind. So then years later, I just changed it a little and put it out as a shirt.
The focus of your logo-less tees seems to be the main graphic. Was that a conscious decision to allow the graphic/photo to speak for itself, rather than brand your tees?
I was never really into logo shirts. As of now, yes, I do want the graphics to speak for themselves, although I do know how important it is for some brands to have a strong logo. Some people just want a logo shirt; I like the brands that don't oversaturate their stuff with them. As my brand grows I'm sure I'll start using logos more, but they will most likely be small and basic. Logos won't be my primary focus.
Who are some artists or brands that you would want to collaborate with in the future?
Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Ted Muehling, Patagonia, and Opening Ceremony.
What's the story behind the OC-exclusive piece?
It's a graphic of a girl biting another girl's tit that people liked from my last season of shirts. So I made it into a long sleeve that says "Love Hurts" down the sides. I always liked that saying and find it to be true some way or another