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I KNOW NOTHING GREATER THAN TRAVEL.

admin — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 20:59:10 +0000

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MONTANA

admin — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 18:08:36 +0000

MONTANA 12/27/13

-Justin Biel

The vastness of the mountains is experienced fully in a Montana winter. With 360-degree mountain views, crystal air and white, glistening snow covering the landscape, the Big Sky State is simply amazing. As a Colorado native I find comparison’s distasteful, but the state of Montana rivals the one I call home.

Montana is a wild, adventurer’s paradise where the true remoteness of the country is experienced most vividly during those long, cold winter months. I thrive in that environment, as it beholds the key to one of my life’s desires.

Few things in my life make me feel as alive as when I ride. Snowboarding provides the experience of pure creativity. It allows me to live in the moment like few activities can. With each turn, each new track, I’m creating my own uncharted movement across some massive mountainside, expressing my own little art piece. I consider it my own style of Individual expression, collaboration between the mountain and myself. And that expression isn’t lasting, it isn’t something that can be saved; it’s as fleeting as time and life itself. It will be gone in an instant, replaced by Mother Nature and her ever-changing landscape.

I love the impermanence and unproductive nature of riding. There is no tangible end goal to the activity, because there is no meaning to sliding down mountains with sticks strapped to your feet other than the attainment of joy. So often the relevance of activity is determined by the productivity or output it produces. But things in life that only focus on joy, that only produce a feeling of wonder, inspiration and excitement, those are the pure activities and moments, those are the seconds where you become truly focused on the here and now, those are the instants where you find connection between soul and nature.

The same experience can be recreated in countless ways, but it can be summed up in a word. The word has expression at its core. It expects giving of effort and time while promising nothing in return. It’s an unquestioned, sometimes illogical drive. It’s risky, daring and unabashed. It can be dangerous and sometimes unyielding, yet it’s beautiful and necessary for us all. All of us have it in us somewhere. And if you don’t, you’re lost. It’s called passion.

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GO SOMEWHERE

admin — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 00:06:06 +0000

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MAUI 12/6/13 TRIP RECAP

admin — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 19:36:29 +0000

MAUI TRIP RECAP

-Justin Biel

A short trip is better than none at all. After five days exploring Maui’s beautiful coastlines and lighthearted culture this idea resonates with me more than ever.

My trip to Maui was a welcomed change from the frigid single digit temperatures I had experienced the last week in CO. Stepping off the plane and into the humid, open air terminal, I was immediately glad I’d decided to fit the trip into my hectic holiday schedule.

A need for contrast and adventure has dominated my life for years now and when I go too long without it, I begin to feel lost, disillusioned. I begin to forget what all this hard work is about (and why I’ve chosen to live my life in this fashion). I’m happy to say that Maui provided a strong dose of both. At least enough to get me through the holidays and to my next terminal, my next departure date.

The ocean, the culture, and the natural wonders are where I’m drawn in such a location. I dismiss 5-Star hotels for small, family owned rooms in Hana. I pass major tourist attractions and crowded streets for remote beaches, trails, and local restaurants. As a pisces I’m always drawn to the ocean but in Maui that desire gain more momentum and regularly drives my course of action. I watched the beauty and skill of pro surfers and windsurfers as they play, seemingly effortlessly, among the double overheads’ at Hookipa. I’m excited to pass the unmarked, barely noticeable dirt road that I know leads towards JAWS below. Any chance I get I immerse myself in warm purifying waters of the Pacific. I connect with nature, delighted when an ancient sea turtle clips me from behind sending my body onto the sharp coral below. The creature barely notices me, and moves along as quickly as he appears. I swim, I surf, and I cliff dive. I visit crystal pools on the Hana coastline too beautiful to describe and too special to name / publicize. I imagine these places have been this way for hundreds of years and I hope they never change. I try to etch these memories into my mind and hear the wisdom they contain. I make new relationships while deepening existing ones. I make love. Most of all, I live life. The trip is brief indeed but impact isn’t determined by time and duration. It’s determined by growth, connection, openness, and joy. It’s felt in these small, fleeting moments of realization and wonder, when you realize that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

With a stopover in LA I’m again headed back to Denver. Leaving LAX the plane circles out over the SoCal coastline and I take in the vast city below. I can actually see one of my previous residences out of the oval shaped window. Memories of that time and the many years I spent there flood over me in a wave of nostalgia. The memories are of another time. They represent another part of my life story…

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Lookbook: The Art Focused Approach

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:46:04 +0000

Lookbook: The Art Focused Approach

Discover our Bare Burlap Collection in a short series of “As Unique As You” photographs taken by Grason Ratowsky, Lo Sampadian and Ariel Scholten.

The initial concept of the lookbook was shot with an art focused approach to showcase the uniqueness of the bag collection alongside the subjects human identity.

The use of an opaque projector, enlarged face overlays and reflective mirrors slightly altered the exterior appearance of the subjects personality temporarily bringing forth a new self expression and transformation. The Burlap Collection also does just this. With each bag being completely unique and different, the wearer feels an instant urge and desire to make a slight transformation in their daily routine and more than often, a sense of travel is bought forth.

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Check Out our Hip Holiday Season Video

admin — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 03:19:23 +0000

BARE HOLIDAY DEALS 2013 from BARE on Vimeo.

Check out our Hip Holiday Season Video for 2013.

We had a total blast creating the ad from start to finish. After a few hour brainstorm session we were able to come up with the concept and get our Big Deal Holiday Gift Guide underway.

Graphic Design by Grason Ratowsky
Handmade Typography and Editing by Lo Sampadian

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SEASONS CHANGE in STEAMBOAT, CO

admin — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 23:06:31 +0000

Colorado is where our hearts are. We have an abiding love for our surrounding nature and seasonal changes in this breathtaking state. Here is BARE Founder and Designer, Grason Ratowsky nature walking, experiencing the first snowfall of the season with his Tacuba Rolltop Backpack in outside Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

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Jess having a Blast

admin — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 21:45:40 +0000

What an amazing personality this girl exudes! We’re so thrilled with our BARE family, we’re jumping for joy.

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CREATIVE ELEMENTS: OUR HANDMADE HANG TAGS

admin — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:41:52 +0000

Grason Ratowsky never fails to come up with creative concepts. This entire handmade hand tag collection was developed to add a level of excitement to people’s common perception of simple hang tag design.

His multilayered approach pairs ridged cardboard, sleek black on craft and supple leather string with clever copywriting to give the recipient a travel guide type experience and introduction to their new item. We absolutely love them.

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PHOTO SHOOT: TIME LAPSE VIDEO

admin — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 20:16:36 +0000

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