It’s the Man That Makes the Clothes

Sartorialists say that clothing makes the man, and in that spirit – meet Christo Grayling.

Editor's note: Patagonia clothing designer, John Rapp, shares the type of letter we love to receive from our customers. All photos courtesy of Christo Grayling.

I recently had a pair of 15-year-old board shorts sent to me from a Canadian who has literally paddled and surfed the world wearing them. Faded, patched, torn and they are replete with a modified "Sunbrella" fabric rear as he lost the trunk’s original undercarriage years ago.

His body clearly shows his priorities are in order and his face shows the years of smiles.

As a Patagonia designer, our passion for folks like him and the commitment to the products they choose is all the feedback we need. In a world focusing on the next, newest, hottest thing we feel deeply humbled by guys like Christo who quietly put in their miles making things work along the way.

Hey Christo, we’ve always felt it’s the man that makes the clothes and you prove it’s true. Hope to hear from you in another fifteen.

–John Rapp

Have a great weekend everybody.