Bekpro is a Los Angeles based sportswear line combining traditional menswear aesthetics with athletic construction and design details for the modern man. The casual formal collection is a hybrid of the old fisherman and the young entrepreneur. Unexpected details like elasticated blazer sleeves, webbing plackets, and Velcro closure under shirts provide an effortless variety of the classic staple with an athletic twist.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Grace Chang and I am a menswear designer from Los Angeles, CA. My training in menswear I credit to Scott Sternberg, who I worked for at Band of Outsiders for a couple years. He’s the one that got me into Men’s and I learned so much from him and my time there.
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? I love collaborating with friends. It’s hard starting your own line and not having that constant dialogue and feedback from others. I have some good friends (WeMadeThis) in NY that have helped me with branding, another friend (at KlasCreative) offering her help for my website… and Relaye Productions, who relaye hooked me up with my lookbook video (not punny, sorry).
How did your interest in art or fashion begin? From a very young age. I can’t say I remember exactly how or when, but I guess my parents were pretty encouraging — a bit strange too, my mom would give me a box of crayons… but hide all the dark ones so I could, “only draw with happy colors”. I’ve been told this explains a lot.
#1 fashion don’t? Seems like all “don’ts” eventually become “do’s” – and definitely vice versa… so… I can’t confidently answer this question.
If you had to explain your work or brand to a stranger, what would you say? I would say… Bekpro is like if Nike made ready-to-wear. That’s what I would like to think, at least. I wanted to create a brand that guys would want to wear and be a little dressy but not feel fussy. I think that’s why I incorporate the sporty elements — so it makes everything feel casual.
Favorite article of clothing? I really like our button down with the bungee cord sleeves. Like a lot of our stuff, I like that everything feels traditional and familiar but with a small athletic detail to make it feel new.
What artists or designers are you interested in right now? I would have to say people closest to me: my boyfriend/artist, Sayre Gomez, friends, JPW3, Sara Gernsbacher etc…. and other young people doing their thing.
What’s your favorite thing about your city? I like what everyone loves about it: the weather, lifestyle, people, food…but my favorite would have to be what everyone hates about it: being in cars, the isolation/privacy, slow pace… LA is great! xoxo
What are your thoughts about the fashion scene in LA? V internetty lol
If you hadn’t become a fashion designer what do you think you’d be doing? This is so sad… but I’d have to say some other sort of designer. Maybe product/industrial, furniture, architecture… I couldn’t imagine a life without design. Maybe a detective; I’m also very fascinated with crime.
