(story)

Everyone wants to be entertained. My friend Joann Nash, who is as famous for her storytelling as her brother is famous for his skills on the court, can turn the most mundane moments into a thrilling adventure through her gift of storytelling.

Recently the brand I work for claimed a tiny piece of 10x10 real estate in The Venetian to pitch the sportswear side of the business at the lifestyle and fashion show (capsule). Buried within the mash-up of labels from indie designers to high-end contemporary brands were a few that rocked my world. It wasn't until
I was on the Southwest Airlines flight home, as the eau-de-Vegas scent of old cigarettes and money started to evaporate off me, that I realized why I dug those particular brands. Apart from the appeal of the product, they each tell a story, a clear message of what the brand stands for.

Activist Eyewear, makers of innovative shades with split arms (uber-comfy!), offers unorthodox product to match their personal mission to push the status quo as agents of change in the world.

Lighting Bolt, is a call out to the old school surfwear style, and tags themselves as "always from a pure source". Who doesn't like the sound of that.

Arthur Atelier, finds harmony between function and style, and well there isn't much story here, beyond that my boyfriend would look hot in a pair of their Monks (fyi, he has a shoe obsession).

Like Joann, these labels bring to life seemingly mundane details, and get us hooked into wanting to know the latest, greatest story.

(www.activisteyewear.com)         (www.lightningbolt-usa.com)     (www.ateliers-arthur.com)