Mar 24, 2015 Meet the new Keep
I was bummed to miss Keep Company‘s Friday night re-opening gathering. My friend Una Kim’s shoe company headquarters and flagship store had been shuttered for about a month while the team consolidated, plotted, and recharged and finally opened its doors to the public on the vernal (spring) equinox. Sadly, the stars didn’t align for our attendance but my wife Wendy and I did drop in to check it out after the crew recovered over the weekend.
While the office and storage spaces are tightened up, the retail area has opened up to the cosmos, Zardoz style. The pyramids (submitted by Isaac Ramos, suggested white by Saelee Oh) on the ombré wall (suggested by Abby Portner) and sacred geometry on the floor (idea spawned by Keep’s own Britney) are a real trip. The psychedelic floor happens to be great for shoe selfies, too.
Ashley Thayer‘s patiently mystical quilts add a finishing touch along with selected items from other friends and supporters of the brand including the aforementioned Abby Portner, One Over Zero, and Hamburger Eyes. (The Owvbics book is godhead!)
I love how the entire operation was done with the collective DIY spirit that drives the brand. Una borrowed and used power tools from neighbors Rick and Buddy, who also helped and will be using the leftover repurposed wood for their own upcoming remodel. And I can totally imagine Keep’s own Ashley, who does everything, on a ladder installing the track lighting with Una.
Running a totally independent, cruelty-free, and awesome brand isn’t easy to do. Support the cause and sport the style if you can handle it–or just drop in and say hi.
Keep Company
521 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
p. 323.655.1010
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