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Here’s a film we’ve been referencing for a new project, If you like Hong Kong Cinema you’ll appreciate Election

Casey Arisohn gives us an inside look into the spring and fall lines of radii footwear in Las Vegas

An Eye For An Eye, Now We Both Have Sight…

As winter begins to lose its once vibrant expression upon the world, Spring slowly shows us signs that she is coming back to visit us once again. Birds regain their “chirp”, trees stretch out their branches for the leaves to find space, and of course the sounds of heels begin to echo down the runways. Designers strip models of wool coats and send them back out in linen cropped jackets showing off the new must have styles. As charming as Spring is there is also a stubborn side that wants to express its uniqueness apart from her longtime companion Winter. This everlasting competition brings forth the ever changing fashion trends.

Designers, brands, and stores rely on the competition in order to keep their customers coming back for something new. Its easy to get caught up in wanting the latest looks every time you turn around, especially when the nature of seasons is to be completely different than the one we left behind.Yet; there is more to life than trying to please the seasons and as we wrap our heads around the latest Spring Collections, and designs we must remember what spring symbolizes; the coming of new life and renewed vigor.

Proof, a sustainable eyewear company that uses wood to craft stylish sunglasses, has made it their mission to produce items that not only look great on, but are eco-friendly (wood from used sunglasses are recycled and credited towards your next purchase), and also remind their customers that there is life beyond the glossy tint lens. When you purchase a pair of Proof’s wooden sunglasses not only are you protecting your eyes, you are also helping to provide sight-giving surgery and protective eyewear to people in India, and replanting trees in Haiti. Proof is working as the “middle men” for those in need and those who want to help but may not know the way to go about it. “At PROOF we believe that good business and social endeavors shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.” You would spend the money on sunglasses anyway; why not know that your money doesn’t stop working when it leaves your hands or when the season blows in fresh designs?

Q&A

* Where is PROOF based out of?

We are based out of Boise Idaho.

* How did you get your start?

Brooks Dame the founder of Proof, wanted to make bamboo ski poles and was looking into how to get started with that. Things weren’t falling in place with that but with some research he got the idea for bamboo sunglasses and then decided to get into other types of wood to have a good mix and variety. It kinda just took off from there. Brooks saw how much work was going to need to be done and brought on his 2 little brothers.

* How long have you been established?

We officially launched with sales and everything at the beginning of February, so super recent. we’ve been working on the project for about a year now trying to get things put together how we wanted them and the brand perfected.

* What inspired the unique Wood look?

Well we all grew up as we say with wood in our veins, our grandfather started a wood sawmill in the 60′s. All of us at Proof have worked in the sawmill in the summer time when school was out so we’ve been around wood since we could remember. As far as styles go we really wanted to come out with stuff that we would wear and that would get noticed. Its not your typical style you see everyone wearing these days; we put a few mixes on things, such as frame shapes and tents on lenses and the most obvious with the wood instead of plastic.

* Not only are you into fashion but you’re involved in a lot of philanthropy, how do you choose which causes to get involved with, and what are they?

All of us at Proof have been involved with different groups and non profits and have seen the impact that these groups have on people in other country’s. All of us have lived outside of the US for a few years and we just saw the need that others had around us and we really wanted to do our part to help. We usually get involved with groups that we think can do the most help; stuff that catches our attention, or if a group comes to us and asks for help were always willing to see what we can do to get involved.

* Will you be attending the M.A.G.I.C Convention in Las Vegas?

Yes we will be in Las Vegas for MAGIC we have a booth at the POOL Tradeshow next door so come by and say hi we’re booth number 1210 come check out the winter sunglass line.

* What can we expect when we purchase your product?

We like to provide our customer with something unique and bold because these are hand made sunglasses out of wood and no 2 pairs are alike. We offer multiple lens options with different color tints as well making a total of 32 different styles. Along with all of that each of the 4 models, have a custom quote engraved on the inside ear piece. We like to think everything about Proof is different.

* Whats next for the company?

Well were gonna start working on some new styles for the spring/ summer line up. We hope to be able to unveil some even funner, crazier stuff that will blow peoples minds. Along with that we want to build up our Pro teams. Skiing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding and Surfing.We plan on being in retailers in the next few months as well. The future is looking very bright.

* Where are you based out of?

Manhattan

* What made you want to get into photography?

It was the only thing I was really enjoying. It takes me out of my head and puts me in the moment, its like painting with light and whatever subject you choose.

* Whats your favorite subject or subjects to shoot?

There must be a person in it. a landscape, with a person, jewelry or clothing, on a person,
I like people.

* Where has your work been published?

Elle, Paper, WWD, Prestige, Industry, Glossy, and a whole bunch of others.

* Can you remember what your first shoot was like?

Ohh yes I remember. I chose the smartest boy in class who always had his hand up. I said, can you come shoot and assist with me. I will get models, equipment and a studio. He taught me everything and now assists Annie Liebovitz. But I was pretty green, I had no idea how to use lights, how to shoot models, how to direct. We just tried everything we could. It was really creative actually.

* What are some of your inspirations?

I love color, but I think my life inspires me. When I was moving I did the moving day shoot and we had our model cleaning, hanging painting, moving boxes. I like taking my life and making it plastic.

* What camera and lenses do you prefer to shoot on?

I like all cameras. Mine is Nikon D3, I like Nikons they are great for low light situations. Fixed lense, always if possible. We just played with a tilt lense last month, that was neat.

* Do you shoot film as well as digital?

Rarely, its more of a hobby, too time consuming.

* What would you say to the kid who got a camera and a bright idea for Christmas and wants to get into the business?

Play first, business second. Be good before you start charging. I guess you could do it the other way but I would never be able to do that.
I want to be able to tell my clients that they don’t have to worry, were going to get them the best shots. If I am shooting something I have never done before, or that I’m still wary at, I never charge.

* If you can do a shoot with any person or subject who or what would it be?

Lady Gaga or Nikki Minaj. I love photos of them, they are true characters. And the concept is a secret, but it will be awesome (:

* Where can we see your work?

www.visualcountry.com

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