Interview with Starker Ltd

A deep dive into GORE-TEX by Document Studios for SNS Photography by Waqas Ghani

I’ve been collecting GORE-TEX since I was in grade school in 2007, unconsciously building a collection since all products I’ve purchased over the years have stood the test of time. My father made me start. He’s a sportsman of sorts and he’s been wearing GORE-TEX ski products for as long as I can remember. Every item has a special place in my wardrobe but the most sacred of all would be the Timberland boots. We deal with all aspects of weather in New York. It can rain today, snow tomorrow and be sunny on the day after that – and these boots can take all that.

I started collecting Ive been collecting jackets made with GORE-TEX technology which introduced me to the brand, but I have since grown out of some those jackets. I moved on to Arc’teryx and, for me, what I like about them is that they’re modernising performance efficiency with comfort and flare. I have worn my Alpha AR shell all year around since purchasing it. When you have a desire to be outside no matter the condition you need durability in your clothing and GORE-TEX keeps me covered.

There’s a functional connection between GORE-TEX and my work as presentation is key in my field of work and my expression is found mostly in my choice of clothing. When building my own sound as an artist I want to be someone you can trust for quality, and I want my work to stand the test of time. I found these same characteristics in GORE-TEX’s products.

I think GORE-TEX has made a mark in clothing sensibility for eternity. Bus drivers and businessmen alike have stopped me while wearing the products with a story attached about how much they mean to them. It’s not a matter of trends but more so a lifestyle. The only thing people can do is challenge themselves and the products to find out what it really means to own something made by GORE-TEX.

Here’s a run-down of the GORE-TEX pieces I’m wearing in the images.

My Bass Pro Bib is my uniform for when I go fishing. They’re so lightweight I almost forget I’m wearing them sometimes. It’s not like when you adjust jeans with a belt, these just suspend from my shoulders allowing me to cast a line freely. I got these from a sporting goods store in Philly. The Timberland World Hikers were made in the mid-90s in collaboration with GORE-TEX. I purchased these on eBay about four years ago, brand new with tags. There are not many shoes you can buy from those years and wear vigorously, but these boots are still as good as new three winters in and 20 years after their release. 

My Ive been collecting 3D Mountain light jacket. One of the most iconic jackets in hip hop. I have this jacket in multiple colours, but this specific model has a down lining so it’s both warm and waterproof. This was purchased from a close friend who deals in vintage garments.

Lastly, my Arc’teryx vest and jacket. The jacket is a sample purchased from Canada and the vest I found on the brand’s website. I’m still putting life into these items every day, for their story is still being written.

@ghostnacekillah

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