This is the fourth interview in our Garage Brands series. In this series, we interview the owners of key Australian brands in the snowboard industry, stocked and supported by us here at The Mountain Garage.
Everything you've heard about Pete is probably true... Ripping rider, solid bloke, passionate businessman. Pete has a wealth of experience in the snowboard industry, both on and off the board, and his whole hearted investment seems to be paying dividends in his young, but quickly maturing eyewear company, Modest. When Pete approached us to stock the brand, we of course said yes. Here's what he had to say about Modest, and his views on snowboarding and the industry:
BRAND: Modest Eyewear Co.
OWNER: Pete Long
LOCATION: Sydney
YEARS ESTABLISHED: 3
Describe your brand in 3 words:
Simple. Stylish. Quality.
Give us a brief background on why you started the brand, and what products you currently manufacture:
I had been riding for another eyewear brand that I really dug, when the distribution changed hands and all the team riders were not kept on. I then started riding for another company but it just didn’t feel right, I had always wanted to start my own thing and felt there was a hole in the eyewear market out here, especially for the price conscious folk. We started with some price point sunglasses the first season, a very small run of goggles in two colours the second season followed by our first full retail range last season. I also wanted to provide a genuine platform to expose riders whom I felt deserve it, yet may not normally chase it.
Some of last years goggles. The 2017 Modest line drops early June!
What are you most proud of achieving in your business to date?
The positive feedback and general acceptance by the boarding community both here and abroad. Seeing people stoked on the product and wearing our gear.
If you could have any snowboarder wearing or using your products, who would it be?
Most of them are on the team already and the rest are on the hit list.. Ha!
Is it hard to keep up with trends?
I’m not getting any younger or trendier… Seriously though I follow skateboarding and surfing very closely, which if looked at in the right light can be a very handy crystal ball.
Have you been inspired by any other brands, past or present?
Yeah for sure there are so many cool brands out there doing good things that I take inspiration from. Sean and Jeff at Dinosaurs Will Die would have to be two of the biggest influences and mentors when it comes to how I want the brands direction to flow. DWD is the shit and snowboarding needs more brands like them who are in it for the right reasons. Skateboarding wise I dig what some of the new smaller brands like ‘Welcome’ are doing, and raw rider owned start up brands like ‘Rage’ in the surfing scene.
Why do you think people connect with your brand?
The simple yet stylish aesthetics and the fact that we are local, by the homies for the homies.
Modest speaks the truth. Image @modest_eyes
Everyone is always saying how hard it is for Australian brands in the snow industry. Do you agree with this?
I feel if you were not entrenched within the local community it could be quiet daunting, I’ve seen a few brands come and go, and a few that I’m sure would be doing a bit better if they were more involved in the scene, and there fingers on the pulse. From a dollars and cents point of view it should be easier to get ahead as we deal direct with factories and therefore cut out the middle man that exists within the distribution of the bigger US or European companies.
What do you personally use the most from the Modest line, and why?
I wear the Ojos sunglass day in day out, with premium quality polycarbonate lenses making them super light and durable. I don’t have to stress about glass to the eyes if I take a tumble. Perfect for skating and spring boarding,
Tell us what’s in store for the future:
Much of the same really just trying to grow as quickly yet organically as possible. We are however working on a new goggle frame and some higher end shades to be released at the end of the year. We are taking steps to enter the North American and European markets next year to add to our existing export relationships with Japan, Korea & China.
In the more immediate future we are holding a rail jam/season kick off event at The Hotel Steyne, Manly Beach on the 1st of June that should be a real good time.
This Thursday 1st June, be at The Steyne, Manly! Image: @Modest_eyes
That's all from Pete. We'd like to thank him for being part of Garage Brands, and wish him well for the release of the 2017 Modest eyewear range!
To be first informed when Modest goggles hit the real or virtual shelves sign up to our mailing list HERE.