Meet James H. Yukawa of Culver City, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to James H. Yukawa.

Hi James H., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I owe so much of who I am today to skateboarding. As skateboarders, I think we’re naturally creative both on and off our boards. That creativity extends into everything—art, photography, film, music, fashion, and design. It’s all connected and part of the lifestyle.

Growing up, I was always drawing my favorite cartoon characters, but skateboard graphics were what really pulled me into the culture. I became obsessed with the artwork and always dreamed of creating my own graphics one day. Artists like Sean Cliver, Andy Jenkins, Marc McKee, Evan Hecox, and Jim Phillips were huge inspirations for me and helped shape the way I looked at art and design.

I’ve spent the past 20 years working within the skateboard industry. Through buying, consulting, and working with different brands, I was eventually given opportunities to learn more about production and see how ideas could actually become physical products.

Bolla started simply with T-shirts. From there, it naturally evolved into different garments and eventually, almost by accident, became an apparel and accessories brand. But I’ve never wanted Bolla to be limited to just clothing. It continues to evolve as my interests and creativity evolve.

The inspiration behind Bolla will always be rooted in skateboarding, street culture, and art, but I love having the freedom to create across so many different mediums. Whether it’s apparel, accessories, products, spaces, or creative projects, I don’t feel like Bolla has to fit into one category or industry—and that freedom has become a big part of what the brand is about.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being involved in the industry gave me a head start compared to a lot of people who started around the same time. But because of that, I also made the mistake of trying to go too big, too quickly.
I wasted a lot of time and money comparing myself to bigger, more established brands. I wanted Bolla to look cool, look successful, and seem like we were already playing at their level when, in reality, we weren’t even close. I was young, ambitious, and eager to sit at the grown-ups’ table before I had really earned my seat.
Eventually, that mindset made me fall out of love with what I was doing. I became so focused on what everyone else was doing and where I thought I was supposed to be that I lost sight of why I started in the first place. There was even a point where I wanted to quit altogether.
Looking back, I wish I had allowed myself and the brand to grow at our own pace. I wish I had trusted my instincts more, stayed true to my heart, and enjoyed the process instead of constantly comparing where I was to where someone else had already spent years getting to.
That experience taught me one of the biggest lessons I carry with me today!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Bolla is a two-part project that houses both our self-titled brand and creative studio. At its core, Bolla’s story is told through apparel, accessories, and creative services with a focus on quality-made goods and thoughtful design.

On the creative studio side, I use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my years in the action sports industry to offer a range of creative services, including brand activations, product development, creative direction, retail buildouts, and more.

On the brand side, we strive to create clean, classic designs and timeless pieces in a variety of styles that everyone can enjoy. Every piece is made with thought, care, and a story behind it, with a commitment to giving our customers a quality-made product that will last.

About 80% of our products are produced in-house at our Los Angeles studio. When we do outsource production, we make it a priority to keep things local and work with domestic manufacturers whenever possible.

In 2027, we’ll be celebrating **10 years as a full-time brand**. We’re incredibly proud to remain family-owned and operated, to have grown into multiple flagship locations, and to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best accounts in the nation. What started as a passion has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined, while still staying true to the values, creativity, and hands-on approach that Bolla was built on.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was very shy growing up and definitely a late bloomer. I had a hard time fitting in, didn’t always get along with others, and was teased a lot. It wasn’t until I found skateboarding in my teens that I really found my grounding and a place where I felt like I belonged.
Skateboarding introduced me to a community of misfits who took me in and helped shape who I was. The culture opened my world to music, art, fashion, and creativity in general. It gave me a way to express myself when I didn’t really know how to before.
A lot of who I am today grew out of that experience. I still constantly draw inspiration from skateboarding and everything surrounding the culture, and it ultimately paved the way for the creative direction I’ve taken in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bollaco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolla.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bolla.co
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bollakills
• Other: https://www.linktr.ee/Bolla.Co

Image Credits
@chloejackmanstudios (@lisa_frare & @btoopositive)
@graceprock