The Brown Buffalo philosophy of small-scale high quality.
Douglas Davidson has designed for numerous brands, including Nike, adidas, Eastpak, and The North Face. The Brown Buffalo (The Brown Buffalo ), a bag brand launched by Mr. Davidson in 2005, has been available only through a store attached to the Costa Mesa factory and office in the United States and through e-commerce. . And now, in the fall of 2018, the long-awaited arrival in Japan has been decided. What kind of brand is "The Brown Buffalo" and who is its founder, Douglas Davidson? We will unravel the story through five models and an interview with Douglas Davidson, whom we picked up for this issue.
Please tell us about your career to date , including your upbringing.
Douglas.My family had average working class jobs , my mother was a teacher . . We also loved to travel. It could be to a local museum or to a more distant place - Italy or South Africa. . I was always accompanied by my bag during my travels. I remember that. I lost my family when I was 19 years old, and maybe designing bags was a way to be close to them.
In 2005, he started his own brand, "The Brown Buffalo.
Douglas.My mission is to push bag design forward. I have been designing backpacks, travel bags, and accessories for almost 20 years, but I felt that American bag design was lacking and that I could do better. . I like to master a field, and I also like to keep learning from that field.
CONCEAL PACK
This backpack has a minimalist yet iconic design. The main fabric is made of water-resistant 420D nylon , meeting the bag's essential requirement of being tough. The moderately large main compartment is equipped with a sleeve ideal for storing a PC or tablet and space for sorting small items. The bag is equipped with a removable pouch that can be used as a sakosh, tape to secure a carry case to the back pad, and a hidden pocket, which is the result of our involvement with a variety of brands. The more you use this pack, the more you will enjoy discovering new things about it. ¥14,800+TAX
You launched your design studio at the same time as the brand was established, and have provided unique perspectives and designs for some of the world's most famous brands.
Douglas.Brands I have worked with include Nike, Adidas, Head Porter, Burton Snowboards, Paul Smith, Gravis, Filson, Y-3, The North Face, Vans, Eastpak, and Nixon. . I think it's about 50 to 60.
There, I learned to design a variety of items - outerwear, snowboard boots, shoes, backpacks, apparel, caps, wallets, belts, motocross gear, eyewear, goggles, packaging, suitcases, furniture, stoves, sleeping bags, tents, snow globes - as well as business operations, materials research, and team management. All of these experiences and lessons from my mentors have been applied to my own brand.
In past interviews, you have also stated that you are not aiming for a medium or large business, but want to keep your business small. Why do you not aim for a large brand like the ones you have been involved with?
Douglas.This is my personal opinion, but I don't think big is great . . I think it is better to stay small for the sake of the staff and to convey the message of the brand. That's why we make our products in our Costa Mesa office and factory. We can contribute to the local community by producing work, and we have the speed and flexibility to create interesting products that larger factories cannot. . Above all, we can always be in close contact with the DNA of the brand.
STANDARD ISSUE BACKPACK
At first glance, this daypack has an authentic design, but various gimmicks are incorporated throughout. The main compartment has a sleeve for a PC, a pen pocket suitable for a stylus pen such as the Apple Pencil, and a small accessory pocket. The sub-compartment with a gusset also has two pockets, a front pocket, drink holders on both sides, a hidden pocket on the back, and tape to secure it to a carry case. ¥11,800+TAX
Sources of Inspiration.
What are the things and people that inspire you?
Douglas.Mexico. Mexico is so beautiful and has the best coastline to travel, and the mountains and interior are also very memorable. . And the Mayan pyramids always fascinate me. In terms of people, Samuel Ross of ACW (A-COLD-WALL) has always been an inspiration to me as well. His brand speaks for itself. . Also, I think the current US rap music is in an interesting period; it reminds me of the punk of the 80s. I'm always inspired when I see people pursuing their passions and taking chances - this feeling has never changed.
What designers or brands have had a profound influence on you?
Douglas.Hiroshi Fujiwara, Jun Takahashi, Hiroki Nakamura, Raf Simons, Helmut Lang, Sean Stussy, and Tet. . and at Gravis and Burton Snowboards, where I was able to work on a variety of interesting non-snowboarding products. I am very grateful to Jake and Donna Carpenter.
If you had to describe your personality in one word, what word would you come up with?
Douglas.. empathy." . This is what I try to keep in mind when designing.
SPECIAL DELIVERY
This shoulder pouch is ideal for outdoor festivals, live concerts, and other situations where you want to move light and carry only the bare essentials. The inner pockets are made of soft material to protect gadgets such as smartphones and cameras from scratches. In addition, easily accessible Velcro pockets are located on the front and back. You can separate your items by putting your frequently used wallet on the outside and your more important items such as passport and keys on the inside. ¥5,200+TAX
BEYONDSLING
A body bag with the silhouette of a waist bag . The capacity of the main compartment can be adjusted with the side straps. By reducing the capacity, small cameras and other items can be kept from moving inside the bag. . ¥5,800+TAX
SUPPLYSLING
This body bag is smaller in size than the BEYONDSLING. It fits the minimum necessary items such as a wallet, smart phone , and a digital camera. The main compartment can also be adjusted to accommodate more active activities. ¥4,800+TAX
For Japanese users .
In my blog of August 22, 2017, I posted photos taken during a visit to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. What does "travel" mean to you?
Douglas.Traveling is about learning things, listening to the environment, and hearing people's stories. I have grown up with an awareness of sound and sight. . Sometimes I sense them through my photographs and reflect them in my designs.
Finally, do you have a message for Japanese users?
Douglas.. I would like to learn from the experiences of many people in the future. We would love to see photos of you with The Brown Buffalo's products.This emailPlease send them to
