The Daily Guide Winter 2023 - 21

FEATURE
Husband and wife duo, Livio
Melo and Jen Jacobssen-Melo
combine skill sets to hand make
and ship every Allmansright
item. They manufacture ultralight
backpacks and bags
from recycled materials, mostly
bio-based Dyneema, ensuring
functionality, sustainability, and
efficiency.
Livio wants everyone to find
a relationship with the products
just as they would with nature,
" We want people to appreciate
what that gear holds for them,
does for them, how it protects
them and their possessions. In
some cultures, there's only one
spoon or bowl that's allowed
and engraved per person. They
make the most out of it because
that's all they have their entire
life. There's a connection. What
if we can have that with all of the
products we possess? "
So far, he's most proud of
their Stake Sacks, featuring real
attention to detail for such a
simple usage. Livio appreciates
the different ways people use
their universal Stuff Sacks, but
aims to focus more on customization,
small unique batches, and
building customer loyalty. He
describes the urban outdoor consumer
as always in transit, reliant
on several modes of transportation,
so the distance, steps or
stairs involved, transfer connections,
and what is packed along is
all meaningful. " Ultralight forces
us to carry less, therefore making
it more accessible for all types
of people to carry regardless of
size, strength, or ability. We're all
cramped into small spaces and
generally try to have less stuff, so
it's got to last, " he says.
Another Allmansright collaboration
introduced the Tote
Bag & Bear Bag alongside
Brooklyn-based William Ellery.
It was advertised as an ultralight,
OUTDOOR RETAILER WINTER 2023 /
GUIDE 21
waterproof tote that also protects
bears from discovering the harmful
foods humans eat, deterring
them from returning to where
food is stored. This innovative
mindset is also seen across William
Ellery's Brushtail Possum
Socks and iridescent June Bug
collection.
William Ellery founder Trevor
Davis treats each product like a
purposeful science experiment,
conducting research and field
testing while dropping new versions
as he makes improvements.
The real-time feedback has
served as a nimble way to connect
with consumers as well as produce
less waste. In his previous
career as a touring chef, Davis
tested ingredients or cooking
methods. Now, he applies this art
and science combo to each piece
he creates. The key is having solid
partnerships with mills and factories
to continue manufacturing
until a product becomes its best
version along with having more
seasonless selling strategies.
Although William Ellery
stemmed from a family name,
Davis cleverly uses W and E
branding as west and east directional
coordinates. He pulls
from a cross section of influences
- nature, expedition, military,
and workwear - and products
are made for anyone living or
working outside. His muses are
astronomers, environmentalists,
conservationists, oceanographers,
primatologists, and
even postal workers braving the
elements. " Nature is all around
New York City and so are the
varying weather conditions. This
plus having little storage capacity
pushes the search for versatile,
packable, and transportable
products that transition seamlessly
from one part of our lives to
another, " says Davis.
SEEKING LEISURE
A nostalgic narrative is also at
the center of Brooklyn-based ITA
Leisure and its branded content.
From 1970s film cinematics
to promoting its African roots
grounded in gathering, eating,
and playing outdoors, ITA creates
a vibe. Founder Jade Akintola
draws upon her Nigerian heritage
as well as working in experiential
marketing and spatial design to
nurture meaningful experiences
for those she terms as " leisure
seekers " by offering a thoughtful
selection of functional furniture,
bags, and accessories. She
explains, " Each piece is culturally
inspired, telling a story of
ancestry and tradition. From the
motifs and prints on our blankets
to the style of our beach chairs. "
ITA originates from WA S'ITA,
meaning " Come Outside " in the
Yoruba language, which speaks to
a mission encouraging intentional
time outdoors. As the first
Black woman-owned outdoor
furniture and goods brand, ITA
champions diversity within the
outdoors. " What sets us apart is
our focus on leisure being the activity.
Considered the opposite of
the New York City hustle culture,
but it should exist as a moment
for every day and everybody. We
all have a need to rest and be
present, " says Akintola.
The Daily Guide Winter 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Daily Guide Winter 2023
