Meet Maya Reynolds of CLADE in Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Reynolds.

Maya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in northern California practicing drawing, painting & sculpture throughout my early years. Nurtured to follow my heart by my artist parents, I explored every medium I could get my hands on searching for my personal expression. I found that ability to express within creative dressing and turned my love of sculpture to creating three dimensionally on the human form.

In 2009, as an Otis Alumni I started to develop a fresh wardrobe standard to empower the conscious individual. I felt called to create clothing for tastemakers of the world and others like myself who are seeking expressionism. This creation took form as CLADE, launched in 2011 as CLADEman.com. CLADE is an artisanal contemporary men’s collection, in which I am dedicated to developing innovative silhouettes and reimagining elements from historical menswear into the contemporary era. Drawing inspiration from my community of artists and artisans, I recognized the need to bring back the basics and decided to launch a new brand to address this need.

UNCOMMON THRDS was born out of the desire to create interesting, expressive & practical clothing for men, made with mindful practices. Through my work making specialty pieces for celebrities, I realized what everyone really needs are everyday garments that are unique. I want to make something accessible to all men; pieces that make them feel amazing while being comfortable & effortless. Celebrating and elevating the heritage of the tee-shirt with a new-found edge. Maintaining a firm alignment to my core values of quality, natural fibers, & ethical manufacturing, each piece is sustainably manufactured in Los Angeles. I am dedicated to creating an authentic brand that has a positive impact on the way people empower and define themselves.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest challenge has been getting the work seen. Wholesale buyers often won’t even look at the clothes before turning down the line. I’m not sure if it is just the attitude of the fashion industry or all industries but there are a lot of closed doors. Perhaps I am an outsider as a woman in menswear. Regardless I continue pouring my heart into my work and opening my mind to new ways of sharing my vision. Conversely, I find that the men who shop and buy my collections keep coming back, due of the way the clothes make them feel and the compliments they receive.

CLADE – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I design and develop my menswear collections CLADEman.com & UNCOMMONTHRDS.com out of my studio showroom in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. I am known for creating innovative, edgy yet minimal looks for urban men. I utilize high quality natural materials that breathe on your body, Italian lambskins, linens, silks and wool/alpaca blends. I am sought out by performing musical artists for one of a kind stage ensembles as well as comfortable day to day wear.

I am proud of the thought and care I put into the garments and the process through which they are made. Manufacturing locally has been essential to my personal mission of doing business in integrity. The motivation is two-fold. Local manufacturing allows me to personally oversee design details, ensure quality control and know that the clothes are being created in an ethical environment with proper environmental & labor regulations.

Paying all workers a fair living wage and knowing they have healthy working conditions instills a positive energy flow into the garments. The clothing we wear has the potential to uplift us, empower our personal expression and make us feel at ease in our bodies and place in the world. Clothing is sociology, politics, history, discovery. Everywhere we go our clothing is with us and to a great extent impacts our state of being.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I love this question. I asked this of myself during a Shamanic healing a couple years ago by wonderful friend and client. I realized success is not treading water on a hamster wheel: working 90% of the time, stressing and earning enough money to be complacent in it. For me success is the power and freedom to choose to live my life in balance regardless of any environmental pressure or dangling carrots.

It meant removing distractions, excuses and obstacles from my life so I can create time for all the things that nurture and support my highest self, doing and being my best. Success means taking care of myself: eating healthy, physical fitness, dance, spending time with the people I love most and yes rocking my work. I believed in that moment, and have since made it my reality: only when all elements of life are in balance, is success possible. When I live my life in balance, fulfillment and abundant financial rewards are attainable.

Pricing:

• CLADE Italian Lambskin & Goatskin Jackets $1800 – $3200
• CLADE Custom: $3000+
• UNCOMMON THRDS Tops $90 – $110

Contact Info:

• Address: CLADE
  Open by Appointment
  600 S. Spring St.
  Los Angeles, CA 90014
  (Enter on 6th btwn Spring & Main)
• Website: http://clademan.com/
• Phone: 707 799 2986
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clademan/
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/CladeMenswear
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/clade_man
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clade-los-angeles-2
• Other: http://vimeo.com/31826873

Image Credit:
Glenn Campbell
Todd OwYoung
Jill Sutherland
Donnie Madden

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