INTERVIEW: This is Prometheus Design Werx

Sorry, I can't help with that.Adventure must be experienced. And at the same time, there is also a style that shows the world that one is ready for it. The gear from Prometheus Design Werx conveys this message. We have talked with Patrick York Ma about his brand, design, the USA and Europe, and what is important to him. SPARTANAT: Patrick, Prometheus Design Werx - what does your company stand for? Patrick York Ma: At PDW, it's about the pursuit of life, adventure, doing it on your own, and going your own way. We design and create products for the modern explorer, adventurer, the "warrior-poet", the "rogue-scholar". SPARTANAT: How have you changed as an entrepreneur and person with your brand? Patrick York Ma: In over 20 years, I have learned a lot about the process of product design to "running a business". I have tried to follow my own ideas on how I want to live my life and the integration of well-designed and made products that enrich a life of discovery and adventure. I have grown in this industry and have not gone to school for it. I have learned that one must follow their heart, trust their instincts, not listen to the naysayers or those who say "you can't", and stay the course. In 2011, my first son was born, and then in 2013, the second. They have become the lights of my life. There is nothing more beautiful in my life and I am very happy to be able to show my sons the beauty and wonder of the wilderness. My biggest task now is to experience the world with my family and share these spiritual adventures with them. Meanwhile, my life has evolved my designs. One must adapt, renew, and share new ideas and products. SPARTANAT: PDW is an American brand. Is it also inspired by Europe? Patrick York Ma: I am inspired by the whole world. We live in an amazing world. It is often a great and sometimes a terrible place, but we can learn from it. Since I lived in Europe and grew up there with friends, I was exposed early to European goods and food. In many EU countries, there are intelligent trends in product design that I appreciate. Some examples would be where friends who serve in different European military units have passed on parts of their equipment to me. Most of these pieces are very well crafted and in some cases better sewn than what the US military spends. I believe the textured ripstop fabric used in the Danish hot weather utilities is among the most comfortable I have ever used. The utilities worn by the Swedes show an additional level of intelligent, functional details that in my opinion would never exceed a US DoD budget. I am also a big fan of finely crafted, mechanical watches from Germany and Switzerland. I am also a fan of vintage motorcycles and have been riding and working on vintage BMWs since the late 1980s. Since 1967, my current motorcycle is a BMW R69S, which I have been gradually restoring for many years. And of course, those who do not appreciate the raw appeal of a Ducati twin... It was the Germans who ushered in the era of modern camouflage. From its origins as an individual method to material concealment, it has found its way into novel streetwear. SPARTANAT: On which PDW product are you most proud? Patrick York Ma: That is a challenging question. It's like asking which son I love more. *LOL* I am proud of them all. SPARTANAT: You are an enthusiastic patch collector. What is your personal Holy Grail? Patrick York Ma: I have designed hundreds of patches. I don't really have a Grail, as I make exactly the ones I want the most. SPARTANAT: PDW relies on the people who like it. Does the community's feedback influence your designs? Patrick York Ma: Definitely. We need to use user feedback from their practice to make improvements based on empirical data and experiences. I value the feedback and input from guides, avid outdoor adventurers, international travelers, explorers, our people in the Special Operations Community, and all who really "walk the talk". In design, it is our duty to create useful goods, solve functional problems, and ultimately offer solutions that may not even be imaginative. As the late Steve Jobs of Apple said: "Often people don't know what they want until you show it to them." SPARTANAT: We know that you take your customers seriously and strive to provide the best possible customer service. Is there a difference between US and EU customers, apart from longer delivery times? Patrick York Ma: We have found that many of our European customers prefer a different fit in their clothing. Many large American brands use large, boxy patterns for their styles, while many European brands are more streamlined, tailored in silhouette. Finding a balance in that regard can be a challenge for customers in the US and the EU. Also, we find that most of our European customers particularly appreciate good design and the quality of the brand, which is much more important to them than the origin of manufacture. SPARTANAT: Why do you use natural materials in some cases and modern plastics in others? Patrick York Ma: Practically all high-performance plastics from nylon to polyester are currently made from petroleum. One day, that will be a dead end. The processes from start to finish are toxic. The long-term impact of using plastics is harmful to both humans and animals. While there is no debate that these fabrics work wonders, we must look to the future to consider bio-alternatives and consider proven, naturally produced materials. Wool is the longest working natural material in the history of the world. We also enjoy the heritage and aesthetics that come with such materials. While wool, cashmere, and other natural fibers are often naturally FR, quiet, and insulating, plastics must undergo additional toxic processes to achieve similar properties. There are pros and cons to each category of material. It is an evolving resource. Some solutions may arise from blends of both. We are currently working on such possibilities. SPARTANAT: How important is it for you to produce in the USA while seeing other companies engage in offshore production? Patrick York Ma: This is perhaps the most complex question that arises repeatedly in our industry and market. So many have a very limited understanding of how closely manufacturing and procurement are intertwined in practice. It is practically impossible to manufacture today's outdoor products and the materials used for them in one hand. For PDW, it is important that we support local factories that have been working with me for almost 20 years. This is our community, they have helped me when I first started out. Many local manufacturers have closed since my founding. Some are growing and thriving. They stand out through certain products. Just as factories in Europe and Asia excel in other areas. Some of our goods have a specific narrative or historical heritage that is better suited for a US origin, while others have no other flag than their core value, the high design quality of the brand. Take, for example, Merino yarns, the majority of which are "harvested" in New Zealand or Australia. It can then be processed in Thailand or Italy and knitted into finished products in the EU, the USA, and Asia. The most well-known name in zippers - YKK - is actually a Japanese company. Even the most famous American wool is often shipped to Mexico or other countries to be cut there and sewn into finished garments. American knives often use German, Japanese, Russian, and even Chinese alloys. When going into an American cutting and sewing factory that makes packs or clothing, the overwhelming majority of workers are immigrants. Since the founding of the first city-states, the world has been a "world economy". After conquest, empires and nations are built and thrive on the exchange of trade, knowledge, and goods. Quality goods and inferior goods can be manufactured in any country. At the end of the day, the consumer will be best served with the best goods made by the best people. PATRICK YORK MA has been active in nature his entire life. Backpacking, target shooting, winter sports, hiking, and working on conservation projects on several continents are on his resume. For 17 years, he was first the founder and then the head designer of a leading specialized equipment and apparel brand. He is the creative force behind some iconic designs and functional details in a unique genre of equipment and apparel used worldwide by members of the special forces, outdoor professionals, and leisure adventurers alike. Patrick has a BA in Art from UC Santa Cruz, an MFA in Spatial Art from San Jose State University. He currently works and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife Polly, his two sons Griffin and Wolfe, and their dog "The Dude". PROMETHEUS DESIGN WERX on the internet: prometheusdesignwerx.com PDW on SPARTANAT: - SPOTLIGHT: The Adventure of Prometheus Design Werx - Review: PDW Odyssey Pants - Review: PDW Woodsman Shirt - Review: PDW