The Slow Life

I clocked Joshua Gilman's unique personal style a few years back and we instantly hit it off after discovering multiple commonalities. His savvy eye for things spreads much wider than the sartorial, and like myself, he believes in slowing down and doing things right. “Good things happen when slow”. Exactly, Josh.

You grew up in Ventura, CA, so what are some of your earliest childhood memories?

Hanging out at Dave’s Skateboards, Chuck E Cheese, fire crackers, Nintendo and doodling in class.

What were you into during your teenage years?

I was really into car audio and custom mini trucks. In the late 80s/early 90s in So Cal, mini trucks were the thing to customize/build. They were these moving canvases, expressions of each owner and totally obnoxious. I was really drawn to the art that was painted on their back windows, the creative names of the different truck clubs, and the fact that they were painted by hand. That was really my first kind of interest in typography and graphic design. The stereo systems were ridiculous as well, the booming you can hear/feel for blocks (which I loved). Hey, I was in my teens….

‍Skateboarding, music, movies and clothes were a few other interests. Powell-Peralta was my favorite skateboard company and was located only 30 miles to the north. Music-wise I was big into rap, NWA, Easy E, Ice T etc. I was really into war movies as well. Funny enough I am still into all this stuff.

“They were these moving canvases, expressions of each owner and totally obnoxious”

You have great personal style, so at what age did you start to discover an appreciation for clothes and putting together very considered looks?

Thank you, it's a bit of a chain of events. It started with Powell-Peralta tees & Vans in the mid 80's from Dave’s Skates shop in Ventura, CA. Around the same time my family and I would wear Patagonia as well. The brand's original shop called Great Pacific Iron works was just on the other side of town.

‍The biggest clothing catalyst for myself is having 3 sisters. I would tag along when my mom would take them shopping. We would go to the malls in LA, and to her credit some smaller shops that sold great stuff. I think the first piece of clothing that felt more like “fashion” was a pair of Guess overalls haha. That was the mid-80's, but then moving into the 90's I was introduced to Diesel, Fresh Jive, and Mossimo.

‍The time where my clothes started to feel most considered was when I got called into the office for clothing violations at a private Catholic high school. This was 1992 and we had a dress code, I had like 7 violations including my nose piercing. I was voted “best dressed” in the yearbook, but I’m not sure why that's a category if we had a uniform. And I was the only Jewish kid in the whole school. Maybe I just wanted to be “different”.

You tend to mix vintage, military and more contemporary styles so is there a specific methodology to this or do you just freestyle?!

It’s funny, I have it down to a kit now. But I love freestyling because it all comes from the same vibe. So both.

“It’s a layering system designed for the Special Forces and it’s highly sought after”

What are a few of your favorite brands right now?

TSPTR, Online Ceramics, Patagonia, Mister Freedom & The Real McCoys to name a few.

Where are you sourcing your vintage goods? And any rare / unique finds of late?

Typically from the Rose Bowl, local flea or straight from a vintage seller I know. The Patagonia MARS vest stands out. Its very unassuming & special at the same time. The little secret is Patagonia made a line of Military clothing a few years back called MARS. It’s a layering system designed for the Special Forces and it’s highly sought after. Its not vintage per-say, but it's older and not made any more, or ever available to the public.

Now, onto ’small wearable objects, packed with movements, reflecting the passage of time’ as you so eloquently put it! Do you have any watches in your collection that hold a strong sentimental value?

I only have a few, and all of them do. I have one from my Dad wore, one my Uncle wore, and one I treated myself to - to celebrate a milestone. All are very different and have different meanings.

You've previously created a few product collaborations, so is this an area you would like to develop further? What would be your ideal project?

Totally, I have a few on the stove. I think the ideal project is anything that brings me joy, I consider even our interactions with this article a small collaboration. My ideal collab is doing something with a brand or a person who has a similar mindset/taste level, but a totally different skill set. The best collaborations come when two brands or people pair, and each do something that the other can't or doesn’t specialize in.

You also photograph a lot of trucks and cars around California so if you could own 3 vintage cars what would they be?

90s Defender, Lamborghini Cauntach, and a Jeep Willy.

“Slowing down feels like the middle finger to a constant need for speed in all areas of life”

‘Good things happen when slow’ seems to be your mantra in life so can you tell me a bit about this philosophy and your general approach to life given you’re very well read in this area?

It really started in 2013 when I was looking to get off the computer and make something with my hands again, something that forced me to slow down. That turned into a small handmade leather goods brand called Slowpoke. Then I started reading more on the slow movement, and how to apply the idea of “slowness” to my life more. Everything in the world seems to be moving faster and more and more obsessed with speed. Slowing down feels like the middle finger to a constant need for speed in all areas of life. Slowness feels like you are reclaiming something that is very human, more tied to our roots as hunter gathers etc. I’m big on craft and craft takes time, you can't cheat it. I’ve also been in a recovery stage for some mental health related things, so I use that mantra as a reminder when things feel tough. I like intertwining my projects with a bit of my life story, so it serves a sense of personal purpose as well. I am excited for one I am working on now. It ties a lot of my interests and life together, and will help others.

Lastly, you’re a creative guy with an appreciation for printed matter so maybe mention a few books / magazines or zines that could transport you back to a specific time in your life / career?

I would say the first one is Mad Magazine in the 80s, it opened my mind to up humor, illustration and satire. The second would be The Face in the early 90s because it really broadened my perspective on clothing/style. This is so hard, there are so many good ones. The third one would be Intersection magazine in the 2000s. I describe it as if 'Vogue' and 'Road and Track' had a baby.

We both love a coffee spot so hit me with your top 3 in LA?

Yes! So many gems…. I would say Kumquat, Maru, & Civil Coffee. We met at Civil, so it has a special place in my heart.