You might have seen @outfitted.archive designs recently popping up on Instagram. The account drops brand concepts of companies that aren’t involved in snowboarding onto outerwear and hardgoods and is making a little noise on the web currently. The follower count is small, but it includes some pretty big names like Arthur Longo, Louis Paradis, Sven Thorgren and other pros. We originally thought it was just some AI slop, but it turns out the guy behind the account is a long-time rider who is just having some fun. We got him on the phone for a quick interview to see what it is all about. He asked to remain anonymous due to his visa situation, but his work can be found on Instagram at @outfitted.archive. 

Where are you based out of?
Colorado. I’ve been living in the U.S. for six years now.

What brought you there?
Snowboarding mostly. I am originally from Europe. I work in education, we have this government program that sends teachers around the world to teach. So I thought I should take the test to qualify and live abroad for a few years. When I looked and they had job openings in Colorado, I figured I would see if it works out and move to the mountains.

Where did you grow up riding?
I lived in Andorra and Austria for a bit and rode around there in the Pyrenees and Alps. That’s where I first started snowboarding.

Why Colorado?
Classic from Europe… you see these videos from Keystone and Breckenridge back in the day, I grew up riding and watching all those videos, so I wanted to move there.

And you’re teaching out there now?
Yep. I teach at a school in Colorado.

Any design background at all going into this?
Not exactly. I haven’t studied design or fashion. Nothing like that. But this industry… outerwear, streetwear, snowboarding culture, is where my real passion lives, and I want to build a career around that.

So how did you get into it?
I have always liked making stuff. I launched a brand like four years ago. It’s snowboarding oriented, but I started with streetwear, hoodies and sweatshirts, and then did a bunch of different things. I tried to do at least one line every year. Gloves, hats… I designed a snowboard two or three seasons ago. I made a rope tow kit — classic work gloves, safety glasses, and a balaclava for cold days.

What happened with your brand?
We had a small rail jam out here when I was making some outerwear. I wanted to support it, so I went there with a few products to give away as prizes and had a small tent. Someone from work saw me with the tent and reported me to the State Department. When you’re on a visa you’re not supposed to have a second activity.

Someone from the school ratted you out?
Exactly. But they didn’t really, because I wasn’t doing anything wrong. The department and my sponsor determined I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I wasn’t making any money. It was just a hobby. But they suggested I delete all my pictures from the website, delete all my content related to the brand, and just stop being related to it. I couldn’t really do much. I was scared. It was hurtful.

So after that break, what sparked @outfitted.archive?
I really like design, I really like the outerwear industry. That was always kind of my dream — to be able to join a brand or create an opportunity for myself, making designs for other brands. I got injured this season and had a lot of free time, and I was just playing around doing sketches in Illustrator. And then this idea came up… why not just create a portfolio for fun? I have been looking at other jobs, but just like everyone right now, I never get to an interview. It’s always just says you haven’t been selected. And I’m like, there’s no way to get a job in the industry because I don’t have any experience besides a few products I made. I need to create a portfolio, make some designs for them, and see if they like it. That was basically the idea behind it.

Walk us through your design process.
I just look at their product, the color palettes, and the brand vibe. Then I look for one of their best sellers and try to get inspired by it. I usually move it to Illustrator and do some sketches. Then I think about the accessories or the things I would want to make for the brand — the outerwear, the board, just a small collection that makes sense. Throw some stuff down and then use AI to make a it into a real product concept. A lot of thought goes into it beforehand, but I use AI for that last step. 

How do you go about picking which brands you want to target?
I just look at brands I would love to see in snowboarding but don’t have a branch for it. Maybe they have a skate dept. that I am a fan of. For example, New Balance — they don’t have a snowboarding section. Then I did Salomon, I know they are already in, but I really like them and the XT6 sneaker are such sick hiking shoes. I would love to work for Salomon someday. I just wanted to show brands that I could give them a full concept collection for next year. Not trying to step on any toes.

You’re also reaching out to snowboard brands directly, right?
A bit. If someone needs a pro model or wants to work on a design for their brand, I would love to help. Just putting it out there! My dream would be for a big brand to see the community backing it up. Maybe they would be more inclined to join snowboarding or at least talk to us and be interested in the market. More sponsors for riders. That’s what I’m trying to get out of the riders and the community — just sharing the project if they think it’s a cool idea.

Have any riders that are your favorite right now?
These days, it is Tommy Gesme for sure. I like Jed Anderson and Luke Winkleman a lot, too. I just really enjoy their style and street riding. And @mids4thekids (Riley Johnson) — that guy is awesome.