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Street Beat: HippyTree

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Nov 25, 2010

Photo: HippyTree
Josh Sweeney, Director of Sales and Marketing for
HippyTree.Meet HippyTree, the brainchild of Andrew Sarnecki. Back in 2000, Sarnecki had waist length dreadlocks and was better known as "Hippy." An avid graffiti artist, Sarnecki would spray his moniker with the "i" in the shape of a tree. In 2004, he sold 1,000 calendars, t-shirts and merchandise under the name HippyTree. Thus, the brand was born.

Today, HippyTree is an apparel company catering to the surf and climbing communities with an eco-conscious mindset. Josh Sweeney, Sales and Marketing Director for HippyTree, breaks down the brand's Fall 2010 line-up. Enjoy!

- Danny Spyra

Photo: HippyTree
The Emulsion board shorts, part of the Aquatic line.

BNQT - THE FALL 2010 LINE INCLUDES DIFFERENT CATEGORIES TO IDENTIFY CERTAIN PIECES. CAN YOU BREAK DOWN THE THREE SERIES?

Josh - Aquatic products are designed specifically for marine adventure. Engineered for performance and durability without sacrificing style and comfort, the Aquatic series provides protection from oceanic elements so that your time in the water is well spent.

Nomad duds are constructed for everyday roaming and wandering. Tailored for comfort and designed for durability, Nomad garments are great for scouting waves and trailblazing while comfortable enough for lounging and relaxing.

The Hunter division comprises performance designed products for the great outdoors. Fabricated for strength and longevity to withstand rough terrain and rugged conditions, the Hunter series is perfect for hunting stone and chasing swell.
Photo: HippyTree
The Trapper jacket is reversible and rugged.

BNQT - AN EXCITING PIECE IN THE FALL 2010 LINE IS YOUR FIRST REVERSIBLE JACKET - THE TRAPPER. HOW DID THE INSPIRATION FOR IT COME ABOUT?

Josh - The Trapper Jacket is the signature item of our Hunter division's inaugural season. We were inspired by the warm, rugged layers worn by Trappers on the hunt and created a reversible jacket with a durable flannel on one side and classic quilt solid on the other side. It's a versatile piece that looks great paired with cords or jeans and keeps you warm on a chilly day.

Photo: HippyTree
The photo-focused, eco-friendly Exposure tee.
BNQT - AS A FAN OF PHOTOGRAPHY, I REALLY DIG THE EMULSION TRUNKS AND EXPOSURE TEE. THESE PIECES NOT ONLY LOOK GOOD BUT ARE ECO-FRIENDLY, RIGHT?

Josh - HippyTree cares about the environment and we continue to find ways to soften our environmental impact by using discarded fabrics and recycled materials in our manufacturing. The Emulsion Trunks are made from 100% recycled polyester from discarded plastic bottles. And this season, over 50% of our headwear and t-shirt designs are constructed of sustainable textiles.

Photo: HippyTree
Plant-a-seed activists alongside their prized
sunflowers.
BNQT - THE PLANT-A-SEED PROJECT SOUNDS AWESOME AND TIES INTO YOUR NAME. CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT TO OUR VIEWERS?

Josh - A variety of HippyTree products are packaged with hang tags that contain seeds. Nearly 300 HippyTree fans from all over the world have successfully grown sunflowers from such seeds and sent us pictures of themselves, sporting HippyTree duds, alongside their blooming flowers. Participants receive a free HippyTree t-shirt and hopefully become a lifelong HippyTree customer. Check out our fans photos at http://hippytree.com/projects/plant-a-seed/.

Photo: HippyTree
The Topo hat in blue.
BNQT - THE HIPPY HELMETS FOR FALL 2010 ARE LOOKING STRONG. TELL US ABOUT A FEW HATS YOU RE MOST STOKED ON.

Josh - From lightweight caps to heavy duty beanies, there is a Hippy Helmet for any excursion imaginable. Our fur lined Duck Hunt hat may be the softest, comfiest hat you'll ever wear, perfect for any bonfire or camping trip. The Adobe hat, one of several eco-friendly options, is fabricated with burlap made from vegetable fibers. With its roots in photography, HippyTree always offers a signature photo hat such as our Brookhurst Hat of pumping Huntington Beach surf.

Photo: HippyTree
Hang the HippyTree logo from a power line and get a
free shirt!
BNQT - ANYONE LIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS MOST LIKELY SEEN THE HIPPYTREE HANGING FROM A STREET WIRE. WHAT'S UP WITH THE DROP TREE PROJECT?

Josh - The Drop Trees project started in 2005 as an urban art experiment intended to challenge people's perception of nature. We showered the South Bay of Los Angeles's power lines with over 1,000 steel trees, creating a provocative installation consistent with the brand's designs that often manipulate nature's aesthetics. HippyTree fans are now invited to be Drop Trees activists. We offer a free t-shirt for emailing us a HippyTree sticker hanging from a wire. A sticker on a plastic bottle, a sticker attached to a pair of shoes or any object you can think of is acceptable. View some of our favorite Drop Tree activist pics at http://hippytree.com/projects/drop-trees-activists/.