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Nick Graham
Answers Phil’s questions
By Tim Gaskin
Nov 6 | archive | subscribe
Nick Graham, founder of Joe Boxer, and Goodwill Industries, launch William Good, a new brand of repurposed clothing and accessories. Each item of clothing is original and one-of-a-kind, created under Nick Graham’s artistic direction from post-retail Goodwill donations that have been destined for recycling or salvage. All William Good clothing is made from reused materials and is remade in San Francisco.
What is your name?
Nick Graham
What work do you do?
I have two businesses. One called wonderbrand that makes and distributes underpants in the US and Canada under different brand names. The other business is called William Good, a joint venture with Goodwill of SF, where we re-brand, re-cut and re-sew donated clothes. It’s really an opportunity in terms of good business. It’s a triple bottom line opportunity; profitability, it’s good for the community, and its good for the environment. We will hire and employ people that have gone through Goodwill’s job training to work with the new line.
How does it relate to green, good or giving?
That is why I call it William Good. Recycling and re-branding Goodwill clothing is a good ldea, fun, and produces one-of-a-kind clothing items. I really think this has opportunity to be pretty dynamic and the reaction so far has been nothing short of great.
What are you working on at the moment? Any major projects?
I am working on an album with my band, called the Phat Barbies, working with Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads. I am also working on an art show called “Popoganda” which is re-imaged Chinese paintings, painted in China and sold here.
How do you get to work?
When I can. Sometimes, I drive a motorcycle, a small scooter; or drive depending on where I am going.
What long and winding road led you to your current position?
I never took the road, always the small path through the underbrush.
Where were you born? Where do you live now?
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I now live in Marin County.
What has been the worst moment in your professional life to date?
I don’t know. I still consider myself a developing amateur.
What's been the best?
Maybe doing the Iceland show, eight years ago. [Graham took the closing show of New York fashion weekend to Reykjavik, Iceland. He thought that was a fun idea and in the end everybody else agreed.]
Green
What environmental offense has infuriated you the most?
The irony that the Artic Ocean is melting and the first thing people think about is to how to get more oil out of it. It makes me just throw my hands into the air.
Who is your environmental hero?
Dr Seuss.
What's your environmental vice?
Flying a lot.
Which stereotype about environmentalists most fits you?
Can’t think of one.
What's your favorite place or ecosystem?
Canada.
If you could institute by fiat one environmental reform, what would it be?
Change the current administration.
Good
What is the best idea you’ve heard lately?
I do like the one laptop per child program and sincerely hope it can work. laptop.org
What is your motto?
Change Daily.
What is your favorite virtue?
Humor, because it’s sexy.
How do you spend your free time?
Thinking, writing, singing.
What's your favorite meal?
Any traditional English food, with really interesting people.
Giving
What is your philosophy of giving?
In terms of business, I am more interested in giving time and resources than money. I’ve always been real open about giving branded product instead of cash.
What is your first memory of volunteering or making a donation?
I worked in a nursery home when I was 13 as a volunteer. That was cool. The people were really happy to see me.
What organization are you affiliated with presently?
Not specifically and not in particular
What category or causes do you support philosophically or financially?
Have done much work with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.
Where do you volunteer?
For my kids.
Who is your role model for giving?
My great grandfather started Dr Grahams Homes in Kalimpong India. It still exists today. I am very proud of that.
What inspires your impulse to give or volunteer?
If what I know can make a difference to a situation.
Finally
Who was your favorite musical artist when you were 18? How about now?
David Bowie, John Prine, Loudon Wainwright, Talking Heads, Bob Dylan. Now Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire, Phat Barbies.
What's your favorite movie?
“Shawshank Redemption,” “Into The Wild.”
Which actor would play you in the story of your life?
Phyliis Diller.
Famous Quote?
"The brand is the amusement park, the product is the souvenir."
If you could have every Phil reader do one thing, what would it be?
Do that one thing really really well. shopwilliamgood.com