If you ever find yourself traveling around Costa Rica, stop by the dopest, most cutting edge shop in San Jose: Okapee. Owners Sergio and Carlos had a vision to open a street wear store, so after graduating from University in California, they traveled home to Costa Rica and realized their dream. As you can see, they more than succeeded! Be sure to get familiar if you are ever in town and when you go, mention that you saw them on the AK blog and you could get hooked up!
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-DG
The new Chronic snapback is now available on the Webstore.
Second in the AK-crew interview series comes the Silent Killer, Blake Peterson. In addition to being one of the head players that make Akomplice happen, he is known as the man behind the lenses. He shoots all the images that comprise the web-store, as well as those in the look-books. (Monkey Wrench Gang, The DNC). Outside and including the photos done for the company, Blake has an excellent body of work that can be viewed here. Though he may trick you with his quiet demeanor, he is one of the smartest and most hard working dudes in the biz. We are happy to introduce one of the cornerstones of AK through an interview conducted by Catch Lungs:
1. Everybody that knows you, knows that you are a hard worker. How do you keep such a great drive and stay so focused?
Thanks. Honestly I’m not quire sure sometimes, I think that’s just who I am. Anything I am a part of I always want to put in my best effort and want the final outcome to be the best that it could possibly be. I would be disappointed with myself if I didn’t work hard and put in 100%. I am continuously trying to keep/find a balance in my life through different activities, social events, eating right and making sure to just relax and reflect at times; that’s the hard part though but I think it’s the key to staying focused and keeping that drive up in life.
2. I love your photography. Over the years, you’ve taken most of the pictures for Akomplice. What’s your favorite photo you’ve taken for Akomplice?
I would have to say my favorite photo was a shot of Guru of Gang Starr that I shot back in 2007. The entire photoshoot was an amazing experience. Being able to meet and talk with him over dinner and then photograph him was great. He was a very genuine, nice person and I enjoyed hearing some of his experiences.
3. Babes love your beard. What kind of product do you use in it? Or is it all natural?
Pesticide free. I grow an organic beard.
4. Your beard is basically your wing-man. When you go out and talk to women, do you ever say hello by rubbing faces?
Haha, never a facial-rub hello, but it’s a great wing man. I usually just sit back and let it do all the talking… seems to work pretty well for me thus far. Some women are intimidated by its manliness but in the end it drives most women wild.
5. What’s your best memory with Akomplice? (Shows, traveling, etc)
My favorite memory with Akomplice was a trip down to South America we made as a crew back in 2008. We went down to Caracas, Venezuela and Catagena and Bogota, Colombia. We traveled down there to throw a couple Akomplice parties (fashion shows and concerts) and to do some filming and photos. It was an amazing time. I had the cance to meet some really cool people on the trip, experience a lot of the culture and get some great photos.
I was born in the mountains and Akomplice was raised in them. After being on the coastal beaches of Brazil for a month it was apparent these mountains had been calling me in since I stepped foot in this country. I woke up one morning and felt it was time to step outside my bounderies, I jumped in my whip, and just started driving, deeper and deeper into the forested mountains. By the time I was climbing in elevation it was dark out and all the stores I passed in small towns were closed, “would I find a place to sleep, dinner, was I crazy?”. I quelled my mind and decided to continue forward with the feeling of adventure pulling me deeper into a pleasurable discomfort. I everntually ran into a small town called Ranch Quemado, which is a German settlement, probably 85% German, smack in the middle of S. Brazil. Crazy, the houses and everything, they even spoke German, I met a man who intro’ed me to a small Inn, it cost $12 and included breakfast, after some beers at a pub I went to sleep. The trip was constantly testing my strength physically, mentally, and emotionally. After some days and nights in new areas/ towns I returned forever changed by these mountains and people I met along the way. Homage to one of the most beautiful adventures of my life.
-Mike Akomplice
