FOR THE RECORD – CAMP CLOTHING Q&A AND THE SUMMER PLAYLIST
Camp Brand Goods was founded in Calgary, AB in August of 2011. Camp takes its inspiration fromclassic sport design and the nostalgic memories of a youth spent outdoors. The clothing from Camp ranges from playful tee’s and women’s tops carrying vintage crestsand tongue-in-cheek imagery of naked women fly fishing to uber comfortable fleece that will instantly become your favourite sweatshirt. We met with Connor Gould, founder of Camp to see what he’s up to this summer and discuss the much anticipated release of the Camp Summer 2012 line.
Can you give us alittle bit of a background story on the brand?
CG: I started Camp Brand Goods at the end of last summer, as a sort of experimental/creativeoutlet to fill my spare time. I have always loved the outdoors and I am especially fond of the Rocky Mountains surrounding Calgary. There is suchrich history in the Bow Valley in the extreme sports realm. I draw a lot of inspiration from that. I mean, I’m not that old, so I wasn’t really around to enjoy that time but it definitely captures my attention when I hear or see anything about it. The birth of a sport is always the best because people are just in it for the love of it. It tends to bring out the eccentrics and you see some pretty crazy stuff while people try to make their mark. You definitely still see a few of those guys around Banff. Sport now a days is too much of a corporate affair. People are doing ridiculous things but there’s somuch sponsor-pleasing and it just seems like everyone’s all about dollars and the bottom line. I want Camp to emulate those beginning years if that makes sense.
I wanted to try and produce everything locally but Calgary really doesn’t have the manufacturing infrastructure. Instead I really draw my inspiration from the Rockies and also from vintage outdoor gear. I focus on finding the best materials and the best fabrication and create a high quality product that I can be proud of. Our Camp sweatshirt really speaks for itself. We searched long and hard toget that perfect and it’s close. I’m not alone when I say that it is the most comfortable sweatshirt I’ve ever owned.
Where does theretro vibe seen in your collection stem from?
It stems from that time. I really draw from memory and old photos of family camping trips and time spent at our family cabin. I look at old photos and find a hidden gem or twoand build from there. I really want to get into the cut and sew andreally emulate some of the stuff I’m digging up and not just relay my ideas through graphic design. To me that stuff holds memories of the best times. Everything is just carefree and fun.
How do you plan on making Outdoor wear relevant to people everywhere?
Well it seems the current trends are working in my favor. I don’t really think I need to make my clothing relevant. I would prefer it to capture the attention of a niche audience, and then I can build a following on my own terms. This is all a learning process. I don’t want to rush and fall on my face.
Anything else you want people to know?
Camp is all about fun. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and I think that comes across in our design. Stop by the Market Collective in Kensington this weekend (July 21st and 22nd) to see the new Summer collection of you can check us out online at campbrandgoods.com or at our local stockist: The Gallery on 17th Ave.
And now, without furtherado, Camp’s summer playlist.
