Category Archives: okoto

g:40 the summit

We’re very proud to announce that our founder and creative director, Joe Hodnicki, was asked to showcase his linoprint art at the G:40 Summit, as one of the 500 featured artists from around the world!

This event will feature 75,000 sq ft of exhibition space with 4 floors of art! Each floor will represent different hot hubs of the New Brow movement: The DC, New York, and California metro areas, plus one all encompassing floor for international and other regional artists. Visitors of G-40: The Summit will, for the first time, be able to experience entire floors showcasing artists from these regions, and because of this set up, connect the dots of how the different sub-cultures and environs affect the art. From the laid back California Style, to the fast paced New York way of living, the art will bring a fresh visual perspective that words cannot provide. With all the different styles in one place the New Brow movement, now growing and expanding worldwide, will be more comprehensible to the viewer, finally defining the line between the movement’s beginnings to its future. A movement that currently exists without much literature or founding in “traditional” institutions, yet includes some of the most highly recognizable and sought after art in the world, will inevitably become a major player in the intellectual and mainstream art world.

You can find Joe’s work on the 5th floor, dedicated to the New York/Metro Artists.

Read more about this one of a kind art exhibit here.


help haiti – okoto

We’ve all heard the news of the recent earthquake and it’s devastating effect on Haiti, and like many of you out there, we’d like to do our part to help in any way we can.

Through our +relief program, we are donating 20% of proceeds from all of all online sales to Partners In Health, as of January 12, 2010.

If you are interested in other ways in which you can do your part, visit Partners In Health, or you can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 through the American Red Cross (the charge will appear on your next monthly statement).

Every little bit counts, so please, do what you can.


20% to pandang – okoto archive

As many of you know, on Wednesday September 30, a 7.6 earthquake hit Sumatra. Our friends at SurfAid International have launched an Emergency Response Appeal to help the people of Padang.

There has been extensive damage and many homes, buildings, schools and hospitals have been destroyed. The death toll stands at 704, as reported by the Associates Press, with many people injured and still missing.

OKOTO+relief is in the process of developing a platform that allows our customers to donate to the non-profit of their choice with every OKOTO purchase. But, until we launch our next level OKOTO+relief, we will now be donating 20% of proceeds from every sale at OKOTO.com to support SurfAid’s relief efforts in Indonesia.

If you would like to donate directly to the Padang Earthquake Relief Appeal, you can do so here.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


okoto on wb morning show – okoto archive

Big THANK YOU to Laura Vorps and our the founders of the New York Surf Film Festival, for including OKOTO in the fall surf fashion show that ran on the local NY news station last Friday. Check it out below …

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


did we mention? – okoto archive

The 2009 New York Surf Film Festival tee has been designed and printed by
OKOTO. Twenty percent of proceeds from the sales of this t-shirt will
benefit SurfAid International via the OKOTO+relief program.

OKOTO is a grass root clothing brand from the East Coast, with a strong
focus on non-profit and community support.

SurfAid International is a humanitarian aid organization working to
improve the health of people around the world connected to us through
surfing. Visit surfaidinternational.org to see how you can help.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


waves party nyc – okoto archive

We were introduced to Waves For Development by Dr. Dave, founder of SurfAid International, last winter at Billabong’s Wild Rock Wine release party. We hit it off from the start and were super stoked when Dave from WAVES called us and asked if we wanted to get involved with their first annual NYC fundraiser.

Amy and I met up with our boys Matt and Nick from Bustin Boards and Christian and Spencer of Driggs Bros Productions to enjoy Peak organic beer, girls in bikinis, music by DJ Kunal Merchant, and an all around good time at the Grace Hotel.

WAVES for Development is an affiliation of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to making the world a better place through surfing. Working in coastal communities, WAVES helps communities connect surfing and sustainable development through Educational Surf Programs for local youth and Adventure Voluntourism for visitors. OKOTOrelief is in the works with WAVES and is stoked to support this incredible non-profit as it continues to grow.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


color overload – okoto archive

coloroverload did a write up on us as well … giving us props for “keeping it real” not only for the strong influence of the ocean in our art, but also our continuous involvement in the t-shirt community.

thanks for the love, color overload!

read more of the write up here.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


wild rock wine/surfaid – okoto archive

We headed into NYC last night to celebrate Wild Rock Wine, New Zealand’s most adventurous wine to hit our shores.

It was a very intimate party at Billabong’s Times Square location, marking Wild Rock’s release in the US and Wolfgang Bloch’s The Colors of Coincidence book debut. A portion of the evening’s sales was donated to SurfAid International.

The energy was great, as we were able to meet so many wonderful people, from the founders of Waves for Development to Mike Parsons and the founder of SurfAid himself, Dr. Dave Jenkins.

It was a great night, with amazing wine, awesome food and incredible people.

.ps. We’re so excited to say by next month our new web site will be up and running! With it will be tons more info about OKOTO, awesome deals and some other rad things we will be doing for 2009. So be sure to check back soon!

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


events events events – okoto archive

Zimzala was an unbelievable success for all of us at OKOTO, Jay Alders and Sun Dreams Productions Chelsea Rabbe. On June 5, all our hard work paid off with nearly 600 guests joining us for a charity night of art and music. The evening was held in support of SurfAid International. You can read more about it, and everyone involved, at ZIMZALA.com. Keep an eye out for info about auction items we will be putting online to further support the cause.

We were honored to be a part of Bustin Boards Open House on May 17th. The event kicked off in Central Park for a skate and then continued on at Bustin’s loft in Hoboken for a crazy party, or ummm … charity event for Adaptive Action Sports.

On International Surfing Day, we headed down to National Harbor, MD to the Art Whino for Ripple DC, an art show and benefit for Surfrider Foundation DC Chapter. There we were able to meet up with artist Erik Abel, who was kind enough to donate an original to our charity event, ZIMZALA. We also caught up with fellow New Jersian, Scott Szegeski and had a blast thanks to Twin Fin wine, some cool new friends and a grassy knoll.

We were also stoked for the Grand Re-Opening of Faria’s Surf and Sport in Ship Bottom. It’s a sweet shop, now equipped with a big ass fan. If ever you are on LBI … hit them up. And, if there’s any of our threads left, buy ‘em!

Oh, and .ps. we’re heading out to Los Angeles for the Summer X Games, where we’re sponsoring the athletes of Adaptive Action Sports along with a couple other awesome companies. After that, we’re off to the Belmar Pro in September.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


zimzala – okoto archive

OKOTO Apparel, Jay Alders and Sundreams Productions present ZIMZALA, a one of a kind music and art charity event held at the Jersey Shore. This year’s event will be held in honor of Surfaid International.

SurfAid’s mission is to improve the health of people living in isolated regions of the world connected to us through surfing.

ZIMZALA’s mission is to help raise funds and awareness for SurfAid International on the East Coast, while respresenting all the great artists, businesses and culture this area has to offer. With Chance auctions, Silent auctions, a 50/50 and ZIMZALA merch, we plan to help support SurfAid International by donating 100% of the proceeds.

ZIMZALA will take place at The Headliner in Neptune, New Jersey. IT WILL BE AN ALL AGES SHOW, with alcohol available to those of age (proper ID required). There will be art and photo exhibits, and food provided by Surf Taco.

ZIMZALA will feature four incredible music performances from Ted Hammock, Shoreline, Echo Movement and Paula Fuga (Oahu North Shore native best known for her performances with the legendary Jack Johnson).

Ticket price: $15 pre-sale. $18 at the door.

(see OKOTO’s original blogpost)


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