Blamo! Erik Allen Ford (Buck Mason)
Nov 20, 2023
Erik Allen Ford, co-founder and CEO of Buck Mason, discusses denim in the '00s, American manufacturing, and building what you want to wear. The podcast also explores design, storytelling, personal style, global supply chains, building long-term relationships, finding a slower pace of life, and the love and cultural impact of basketball.
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Design From First Principles
- Start product development with great patterns and fabric, not spreadsheets and KPIs.
- Emotional product comes from first-principles design and a small, passionate team.
From Rural Missouri To Retail Roots
- Erik Allen Ford grew up in rural Concordia, Missouri, and didn't know 'fashion' was a career until later in life.
- Early retail and denim jobs (Buckle, Banana Republic, Hollister) shaped his emotional connection to clothes.
LA Mentors Spark A Maker Mentality
- Erik moved to LA after hearing Gene Montesano and Barry Pearlman say "anybody can do this" and convinced them to hire him.
- Working with Lucky Brand founders taught him to "build what you want to wear."