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MMWOS: Tell us about a day in your life.
Jon of E.H: I currently study at UCSB & work with Elliot Havok. In between attending classes, I maintain customer relations, deal with promotion and media opportunities, and work on future projects.
MMWOS:How did the Elliot Havok collection come to be?
Jon of E.H: Our founder, Steven Elliot, started Elliot Havok with the aim of providing quality accessories designed for convenience of use without sacrificing aesthetic. Our initial offering, the Dash Wallet, was met with universally positive responses from tech blogs and media outlets such as DudeIWantThat and Gearculture. Subsequent projects including the Keydisk, Dash 2.0 & Trim Wallet garnered similar positive responses. Collaborating with designer Noah Eckhous opened the door for Elliot Havok to expand our offerings to include leather goods.
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MMWOS:Lets talk about one of my favorite items from Elliot Havok collection, the Quarter Century belt. How did Quarter Century beltcome to be.
Jon of E.H: Noah created the Quarter Century Belt to be an accessible staple for any wardrobe that is guaranteed to last. Noah’s background in classic American crafting and leatherworking is evidenced through his works; our leather goods are made with time-honored constructed methods proven through the test of time. The Quarter Century Belt emphasizes strength through simplicity. Designing the belt with only 3 key components-leather, chicago screws and a center bar buckle-effectively minimizes failure points & thus minimizes risk of damage or construction errors. Doing so also allows for us at Elliot Havok to allocate the bulk of our resources towards choosing the the finest input materials. Minimizing the possibility of error and maximizing the reliability of the materials used was the basis for offering the 25 year guarantee that became the belt’s namesake.
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MMWOS:How long does it usually take you to construct a Quarter Century belt?
Jon of E.H: The simplicity of the Quarter Century Belt’s design also serves to expedite the construction process. As Kickstarter backers pledge before receiving product, we at Elliot Havok work to deliver our products on time, every time. Our track record displays exactly such; each of our previous products were delivered to backers without delay. Nonetheless, ensuring that our products are made exactly to specifications is our first priority. Founder Steven Elliot’s considerable experience with manufacturing and product execution is pivotal in doing so.
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MMWOS:What makes Quarter Century Belts different from other belts on the market?
Jon of E.H: Most high-quality leather belts are made by high-fashion brands, which unfortunately bring along increases in price due to their branding. The Quarter Century Belt is made with the same emphasis on construction and quality without the subsequent effects of branding upon price point and availability. We sidestep the distribution and branding markups at a wholesale rate. Rather than offering our products through boutiques and high-end retail stores, we chose to make the Quarter Century Belt available and affordable through our kickstarter campaign.
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MMWOS:Describe the Elliot Havok man.
Jon of E.H: With a clean, classical look, Quarter Century Belt fits into a variety of different looks and wardrobes. The Elliot Havok man could be a young fashionista, a man whos’ style is refined with age, or a man who works in active or strenuous labor looking for a belt that holds up through the strain of an active lifestyle. Furthermore, our belts are offered in women’s sizes, so the Elliot Havok person is not even necessarily male.
MMWOS:What are some of your pet peeves in men's fashion?
Jon of E.H: My main issue with men’s fashion is elitism and exclusivity. Many high end brands, focusing on leather goods or otherwise, aspire to exclude customers that do not fit the lifestyle portrayed by the brand. High price points and lack of availability are methods of control used by brands for this exact purpose. Doing so may increase perception of a brand as being superior, but subsequently bar potential customers from access to one’s products.
MMWOS:What do you hope to have achieved in the industry, 10 years from now?
Jon of E.H: Our products are designed to last for the length of the guarrantee and more. We at Elliot Havok aim to become a mainstay in the leather goods market. We always ensure the highest quality customer service and product as well. We offer full refunds, no questions asked if the product does not live up to expectations. That being said, we are very confident in the product and our company culture which will lead us to long term success.
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| Photos courtesy of Elliot Havek |
MMWOS:Where do you get your inspiration?
Jon of E.H: As mentioned earlier, the Quarter Century Belt embodies strength through simplicity. Elliot Havok products come from various influences; Steven’s understanding of functionality shines through the sleek silhouette of the Dash Wallet. I draw my brand philosophy from growing up working in the clothing and fashion industries. Noah’s traditional American construction methods come alive through the Quarter Century Belt.
MMWOS:How does music influence your brand?
Jon of E.H: I grew up listening to various kinds of music. From growing up around soul, hip-hop, jazz, classic rock to more recent genres, music has been a consistent influence upon my life for as long as I can remember. Similarly to the fashion industry, presentation and artist perception plays a part in determining an artist’s fanbase, success and the content of their music. Analysis of this phenomenon in both mediums helps me determine how I present our products. Artists that make music that is universally enjoyable and accessible without posturing and pretention are recognized for doing so. We at Elliot Havok strive for the same functional, universally likable beauty in our products.
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