Meet Jayson Palacio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayson Palacio.

Jayson, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I first picked up a camera at the age of 24. Having started my own brand at the time I saw it crucial to be able to produce my own photographic content i.e. look books, social media content, journaling, etc. to establish ongoing storytelling. Years past, my love for taking pictures grew. Exploring both digital and film mediums my passion transcended design into the world of photography. As most beginner photographers do, I was documenting everything, from cracks on the pavement, paint smears on the walls to random individuals I thought seemed interesting. I guess one could consider it more a photojournalist approach. Several years later my hobby became somewhat a career the day I started working at Blends, a SoCal based boutique establishment specializing in designer apparel, streetwear and footwear.

My tenure at Blends really allowed me to grow as a creator. Being more of the underdog in comparison to the likes of Undefeated, Bodega and Kith, we were always challenged to explore unique ways to create. This potentially led me into the role of artistic direction. Working directly under tAk Kato (owner & creative director) I learned to delve deeper when storytelling. Tak has always been a man with a unique vision, you could see that from his store design of the now-defunct Comme des Garçons Guerrilla Store in Downtown Los Angeles (circa 2008) to his “nest” concept at Blends Downtown Los Angeles. The man is a visionary and definitely had big shoes to fill being his subordinate. I made it my goal to match his creativity in the bodies of work I did under the Blends brand. From creating a standalone ’90s inspired bedroom in the desert to directing 3D animations for a PUMA Cell Endura collaboration with Blends. My goal was to do what others couldn’t do at a boutique level and have fun doing it.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been a smooth one. Having personal struggles with finding myself as a creator it took me years to really accept what it truly was I wanted to do. Being an artist/creator is an open book and the biggest challenge is redesigning a craft (whether it be photography, painting, sculpting, writing, etc.), breaking it down and making it represent you, authentically. Individuals getting into the world of photography and fashion often think it’s as easy as cutting cheese, well in a sense it can be, but not all cheese is as soft as others.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I create. My core specialty is photography and artistic direction. Rooted in fashion with a vast knowledge of graphic, product and multimedia design. Having worked with some of the biggest brands globally under the Jayson Palacio® we’ve built a repertoire of campaigns that communicate unique narratives as well as execution

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Incubating and nurturing new talent. It has always been a goal of mine to see individuals who work with me to grow and find their “style” and I’m proud to say I’ve fostered some great talent throughout my career. Working with these individuals has also allowed me to refine my craft and also constantly pushes me to become a better creator.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jaysonpalacio.com
• Phone: 714-277-9144
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jaysonxpalacio

Image Credit:
Special Thank to:
Freedom Models, Blends, adidas Originals, Nike, PUMA and the team.

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