Made in Vancouver is a collaboration between Vancity and Daily Hive. Together, we’re turning the highlight onto native companies, organizations, and people who’re serving to to create a wholesome native economic system.

Developing natural relationships with different native boutiques and companies is why supporting native is so vital. Local companies additionally assist native!

Ted Nakayama began his enterprise doing simply that, working with companies like The Goodlad Clothing and Greyhearts Denim in Kelowna.

He believes in creating top quality wears which can be sturdy and can final greater than only one season, ideally permitting the shoppers to take our garments out for an journey and actually dwell by way of the sweetness that Vancouver presents sporting them out.

The Pool Riders is a household-owned enterprise creating all jackets and pants from the center of Vancouver.

Vancity has been supporting individuals in our communities since 1946, like native artists. As half of our Made in Vancouver collection spotlighting native companies, we talked to Tadao (Ted) Nakayama about having a household owned clothing enterprise within the coronary heart of Vancouver.

Because our head designer is Japanese we’re very a lot influenced to mix in Japanese craftsmanship alongside French classic workwear and navy clothing as effectively,” Nakayama instructed Daily Hive, explaining the place a lot of the inspiration comes.

All of the merchandise are designed to final, with high-notch merchandise and top quality materials all made in Canada.

My work goals to encourage journey whereas sustaining type,” mentioned Nakayama. “Go out there and live life.”

And dwell life is what this group is all about. The founder and head designer is an award-successful skateboarder who nonetheless loves doing it on a weekly foundation at over 50 years of age.

The Japanese, fashion, and skateboarding influences are all obvious within the varied kinds, making one thing solely distinctive however interesting to many.

“I’m inspired by Japanese designers and the fashion industry in general, one who stands out to me is Yamamoto Kansai, but also snowboarders and skateboarders like Burt Lamar and Jay Adams who inspired me to pursue and refine my skate skills,” mentioned Nakayama.

It’s probably this ardour and pursuit to hone his abilities that Nakayama makes use of right now as an entrepreneur. Every enterprise proprietor, particularly at a neighborhood stage, has a unique story with distinctive expertise and varied assist methods.

I got here from Japan round 20 years [ago],” mentioned Nakayama. “In Japan, I actually attended design school to become an architect. Those dreams didn’t actualize due to family reasons and I ended up running a restaurant both in Japan and over here. But after I turned 50 I quickly realized that I wanted to use my artistic skills again and that manifested into starting this designer clothing brand.”

Clearly Nakayama has loads of ardour and expertise, and it’s so cool to see the buildup of his experiences to make a preferred Vancouver retailer.

“I’m very lucky to have such a supportive family,” Nakayama continued.

“My wife encouraged me to start this business after seeing how much I wasn’t enjoying running the restaurant anymore and my daughter helps out with the more tech stuff  as well. Now I’m focused on building this local brand and building a presence in other parts of Canada as well,” he added.

Vancouver is a good metropolis to create that a lot wanted presence within the retail area. It’s a giant metropolis, the individuals right here like to assist native, and we’ve got a thriving artwork scene, and Nakayama is aware of it effectively.

Styles and traits change round however I all the time really feel that it loops again,” mentioned Nakayama. “The reason why vintage is such an inspiration to me is because fashion is a cycle and the most classic pieces have just such beautiful lines and designs,” he added.

Although many positives include opening your clothing retailer in a metropolis like Vancouver, there are nonetheless challenges right here.

Particularly with clothing, there are a restricted quantity of males’s boutiques in Vancouver,” mentioned Nakayama. “There are many shops that carry women’s wear but less of men’s and so we’ve needed to pivot to a more unisex style to try to capture a bigger audience,” he added.

Making primarily denim bottoms and jackets, The Pool Riders is a model that seems relaxed and funky — which is sensible, as a result of so does Ted Nakayama.

I’m probably not positive!” he mentioned. “It’s been a pleasure being able to build my brand and also live in Vancouver with so many places to get out to,” Nakayama added.