This is big year for me and the brand. We are moving into our new head quarters. We needed a space that can be used for multiple purposes (design studio / warehouse / retail space). I found a great 2 floor location in the mission district of SF. Here are a few pics of the buildout for the upstairs design studio.

This is how it looked before we got in there. Nasty red carpet everywhere.

Pulled the carpet up to a find a water damaged douglas fir floor. Hell yeah! That carpet gotta go!

It was harder then i thought to get rid of the carpet. Some serious old glue and tile underneath.

Sanded, stained and sealed – much better already and we are just getting started!

Next up is paint. Found some magnetic paint for the walls. No more messy cork board inspiration wall to hold sketches.

With the success of last years Mash Cinelli frame we got to release a second color option for this year. I incorporated the lighting bolt, from the Mash logo, into the bikes paint scheme giving the bike a feeling of speed. I also snuck the Benny Gold paper airplane icon onto the bottom bracket – ha! This years green and white colors were inspired by a classic Adidas Rod Laver. The bike will be available in spring and I can’t wait!

Last year Gravis hired me to work on their Expedition Series. I created graphics inspired by vintage camp patches, but with a skateboard, surf and snow twist to fit their brand. The patches were designed for their bags shoes and apparel collections. Stay tuned because these products will be in store mid February.

When I started making random stuff like a run of stickers or a hand screen shirt in my kitchen I had no idea that one day it would be available around the world. New to our dealer list is Commune in Manila. It’s amazing that an independent project started in a San Francisco studio apartment can end up being sold half way across the world in the Philippines!

Thank you all for keeping up with the brand and all the support. Without you it would have never made it out of my studio apartment and into such great stores. We are just getting started!

There are some friends in life that you know will always be there for you. Leland and Johnny are those guys to a lot of people in SF. They have been supplying most of the city with all the Roughneck Hardware we need and a consistent daily dose of skating on the 48 Blocks site.

They recently got together and opened the DWNTWN skate shop. It’s located in the middle of the the Tenderloin and Nob Hill areas of San Francisco. It’s funny that they are on the fringe of both those SF neighborhoods because that speaks to them as business patners. Johnny is hesh and Leland is fresh. Life is about balance. I try to live my life that way also – not too far on either side.

Check out their introductory shop video and stop by to pick up some Benny Gold gear. They supported most of the city for years and now its our turn to return the favor. All the best guys!

The tattoo emails continue to come in. Matt Burnaford sent in this pic of his recent Benny Gold paper plane tattoo. Good looks! Anyone out there with the balsa wood glider plane tattoo?

Remember to post these up into the Gold Flickr group It’s growing into an amazing archive by all of you! Thank you!

I have been working with the Vault store in NYC for awhile. The mail got dropped off yesterday with a surprise package from them. They sent over a nice little retrospective of New Era hats, that I designed for them, with a thank you letter.

Here is a look at some of the hats we worked on together. You can also see some of the Vault shirts in the portfolio section on my site here.

It’s rare for clients to appreciate the designer long after a project is done. – Thank you, it means a lot!

You all know that I love paper planes. I am fascinated with the double meanings they carry of both youth and growth simultaneously. They have become an important part of the Benny Gold brand and has worked as our logo.

The paper plane symbolizes both our youth and where we are going in life. Put in motion a paper plane has endless possibilities just like we all do, but still holds that special childhood magic. Ace gets this ideal and has a lasting reminder of that inked on her finger. Thanks Ace for sharing your new tattoo with us!

I am honored and you are right.. “The only way to fly is up”!

For more of Ace’s tattoo check out her site. She posted a really nice story behind it. Also check her pics in the Gold Flickr Group. It’s growing into an amazing archive by all of you!

The new issue of Japanese magazine Common is out. They were nice enough to give us a little shine on the back cover. As always they are free with every order we ship from our online store. They put out another solid issue and it’s a good read with articles on SSUR, Krink, Mash and Deadline!