In doing so, she drew inspiration from counterculture happenings like Woodstock and the legions of music and art festivals that spawned in the decades that followed it. While working at a surf shop in Southern California, Mycoskie had bought a sewing machine and spent nights after work teaching herself to sew, determined to create garments with the same look and feel of the vintage pieces she had been collecting for years.
With her own take on rainbow stripes at the brand’s core, Mycoskie sold her first Aviator Nation piece at a local street fair in 2007 and it caught on quickly. From distressed hoodies and sweatpants to jackets and even surfboards, Mycoskie has continued to expand the selection of products while maintaining her design motif. She opened her first store in 2009 on Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, regularly hosting free concerts at the shop.
Aviator Nation is deeply involved in some of the biggest music festivals in the country, including Austin City Limits, and now, the Mill Valley Music Fest.
The 411: Aviator Nation store in Suite 700 of the Mill Valley Lumber Yard is open 10am-6pm, 7 days a week. MORE INFO.