At the beginning of the year I was shopping for a solid weekend bag. I was looking for something that would last, something that I can be proud of, something that would maintain integrity regardless of my travel plans. After several online searches I remembered to check in with the makers of the fine leather cuffs that I had purchased when I first moved to Portland, Oregon almost 10 years previous – some of the first they produced. After several nostalgic email exchanges surrounding the cuffs and my admiration for their work Chris & Kirk generously agreed to a short interview with Rivulet Industries. Below is a glimpse into the wisdom behind Billykirk.
Please share a little about your Childhood and School Days? Besides the famous heirlooms that have traveled with The Bray brothers are there specifics of your childhood that you can identify that brought you to where Kirk and yourself are today?
Chris: We grew up in an artistic, creative home and there is no doubt that
that helped shape what was to become. There was always a workshop in
our garage and plenty of encouragement to build things. We built forts, BMX
bike jumps, 1/4 half pipes, nun-chucks, metal throwing stars, leather knife
sheaths, stained glass pieces, multiple Pine Wood Derby cars, refinished old
mirrors and furniture, the list goes on and on. I remember when I was in 3rd
grade I got to pick out my wallpaper, bedding and curtains. It was all red, white
and blue and sport themed. Then when I turned 15 or 16 I got to redo it in
what I would describe as a old man library/study. Chair rail, valances, rich
colors of evergreen, beige and mahogany and brass accents. Not much has
changed. In fact, when my wife first saw my Los Angeles bachelor pad for the
first time in 1998 she thought I lived with my grandfather. At the time it was full
of heirlooms from my family and vintage pieces were strewn all over. I have
since taken on a more minimalist outlook mostly due to two young children
running amok.
Chris: We also grew up fishing, hunting and camping and most of the gear when we were first starting out was usually our fathers and a few sizes to big. I will never forget the materials and construction of those garments and bags. The smell, the texture, horn buttons, the heavy zippers are all fond thoughts of my youth.
Kirk: I think when we are designing memories of that gear creeps into our psyche because we always tend to design with utility, function and wear-ability in mind. These are the very characteristics that embody most outdoor gear from the 60’s and 70’s and continue to be the bed-rock of all of our designs.
Can you talk about “The Bray Family heritage?” (This question is guised around the statement that Billykirk makes products that last – per The Scout video)
Kirk: Our family heritage on both sides is at least 5-6 generation American. Sadly, most of the real old records from the 1600’s and 1700’s are nearly impossible to dig up. Our father recently found a record that lists one of our relatives as one of the first 5000 to come across from England. Our Great, Great, Great Uncle, George Henry Thomas, was a General in the Civil War so our heritage here is rooted about as deep as you can get.
Chris: We are also both at the age where we have witnessed the USA’s manufacturing sector slowly dwindle and fade away. We have heard story after story of businesses closing or moving operations overseas because they just could not compete with the cheap labor costs of other countries. This begins to tug at your heart especially since we are entrenched into the accessories/garment industry.
Chris: I think these cheaply made, throw-away, soulless items that most big box retailers are stocking are beginning to “wear thin.’ Sure, there may be some initial satisfaction with saving a few bucks but in the end the garment or tool or frying pan begins to fail or fall apart. This is also having an affect on landfills from cheap office supplies to cheap toasters and cheap clothing. When will we wake up?
Kirk: Hell, our grandparents had the same toaster for I bet 30 years and it worked perfect. They certainly didn’t feel the lure of the new flashy looking toaster.
Chris: Yea, they came from the era where if it wasn’t broke then why get a new one.
Kirk: True, but we are all guilty of buying the new, freshly designed appliance or electronic gadget and simply dropping the used one off at Good Will without a thought. My stainless steel appliances already look dated to me.
Chris: Perhaps it’s time to bring back “almond?”
Chris: Seriously though, I am beginning to see a real renewed sense of pride in ownership out there. Similar to what our parents might have felt when they bought a new American made car, washer & dryer, or a quality set off tools.
Sure, the Walmarts of the worlds will still exist but a growing number of us are staring to question pedigree and ethics in manufacturing. Furthermore, many are also realizing the satisfying notion that if they do spend a bit more on a quality made item, made with quality materials that they will likely get years of use out of it and pass it down to their children one of these days.
Does each of your individual style(s) / characteristics find their way into the pieces you create? If so, can you talk about an example?
Chris: Over the last 6-7 years we have essentially designed a bag for every occasion that fits our needs and aesthetic. There were either holes in the market where that particular style and size of bag just didn’t exist or if it did it was cheaply made or had too many bells and whistles.
Kirk: A flashy bright, cheap zipper or snaps is a deal breaker on most bags for me.
Chris: We have been working on the next round of designs for Sebago and I always lean to the more classic color combination where as Kirk wants to modernize things as bit more. That goes for a lot of our bags and canvas accessories as well. He dials it up then I dial it down and we usually meet somewhere in-between.
Kirk: I designed a few looks this year that called for some colored leather. For example, there are a couple bags for Spring 2011 that get dark green leather with olive herringbone that Chris had trouble with at first but I think he is beginning to come around on.
Chris: It’s subtle enough and works quite well actually. I was concerned about the navy leather and navy waxed canvas we did a couple of season ago but it sold quite well.
Favorite piece of wardrobe? Do Kirk and yourself each have something that finds it’s way into your ensemble more than anything else?
Chris: During the summer months we both primarily live in plain v-neck or crew neck t-shirts. These come from Steven Alan, Gap, Saved Khaki, Earnest Sewn or thrift stores. We both have dozens.
Kirk: I am a shoe horse. I have an embarrassingly large amount of shoes. Just in the last month ½ I have purchased shoes from, Vans, Spring Court, 2 pairs from Generic Man, Nike’s and some custom Jack Purcell’s.
Chris: My uncle gave me his Vietnam jump and jungle boots in the mid 90′s and starting in the Fall they are my go-to boot. They fit and look great + I am a sucker for family heirlooms. I also don’t leave the house without my vintage sterling locket with my girl’s photos inside. Yes, it’s a locket. Once you get past the word locket most guys, particularly dads should be cool with it. I would suggest, however, getting a real plain one without all the etched detailing and make sure it’s no bigger than 3/4″ tall.
What is currently in rotation (music) at the workshop?
The National / Mumford & Sons / Beach House / The Soft Pack / Midlake / New Willie Nelson / Morning Benders / Other Lives
I would like to give my thanks to Chris & Kirk for their time and candid remarks – It has been a tremendous honor getting to know these men. I admire their passion for family, friends, style, and steadfast commitment to a quality product that lives through the generations – leather-work that we can pass down – our grandchildren’s heirlooms.
Please take some time and look for Chris’s contributions to Selectism or check-in with the latest Bray going-ons on their web store front/ blog.
Front Page Photo: Rose Callahan
Childhood Photo: Bray Family Photo
Just found this terrific interview; thanks so much! I am a big fan of Billykirk and what the brothers are doing.