I spent a day with GRN Apple Tree founder Luis Antonio.
Like so many creative souls before him, Luis Antonio, founder and head designer for GRN Apple Tree, wanted to be a rock star. The former bassist of VooDoo Dolls even played with Sugar Ray (back when they were the Shrinky Dinks), Cadillac Tramps, and the soon-to-be drummer for iconic Cali band Sublime before pursuing what would prove to be his true calling: fashion and design.
The hands-on owner is remarkably unassuming. He sits with me in his Los Angeles showroom, sandwiched between a design studio, distribution office and warehouse, which collectively serve as company headquarters. Every spare space is filled with artifacts meant to inspire, from snowboard gear and boxy leather lounge chairs designed by Luis, to arcade-style video games and an impressive 300 piece toy collection — think ICEE polar bears and blue Smurfs.
Walking through the place, with its orange walls, acrylic paintings, sewing station, constant stream of eclectic tunes emanating from the iPod in the corner and caches of cool graphic tees the brand has become known for, makes me want to abandon the interview immediately, roll up my sleeves and *create* something.