I think comfort is being able to move around with ease, feeling free.
GORE-TEX Studio: This one is getting harder and harder these days - but how would you describe yourself in 1 sentence max?
Ethan Pylypiw: Trying to keep the frequency high and have fun.
GORE-TEX Studio: Tell us a bit about your city’s climate. What are your three favorite spots - in the summer, in the winter (outside)? What is your favorite method of transportation and why? How do you prep for bad weather if you spend time outside?
Ethan Pylypiw: Toronto gets cold in the winter, like that wet bone chilling nonsense. So I don’t really like to do much.. my favourite place is maybe my warm bed? Haha... Summers are hot and humid. I preferably like to bicycle around, let that fresh breeze cool me off and you get to navigate the city fast. I find Canadian weather is quite temperamental, though – it can change often quickly. I always have a bag on me and usually dress in layers, so I can pack one layer away if needed.
GORE-TEX Studio: Tell us a bit about your professional life and do you draw a hard line between private/professional? What were your most memorable moments professionally, your biggest achievements?
Ethan Pylypiw: I am a creative consultant/product developer and take on roles of all sorts in clothing and design based projects. I try to separate the two, but they blend together pretty often. I’m always trying to get better at that, ha! Being able to create things with friends that give feeling, that are inspiring for myself and hopefully others along the way are the most memorable moments to me. I can’t really say a specific moment is above all, but being able to design varsity jackets for Better Gift Shop have been special times for me. It has always been a group effort amongst the team and we all share references and motifs we think belong on the jacket to tell a story.
GORE-TEX Studio: What are you wearing today, why are you wearing it, did you have a particular weather scenario in mind when choosing this piece? What do you love most about your GORE-TEX product?
Ethan Pylypiw: I am wearing a Stussy GORE-TEX wading jacket. I like how it's wide and boxy, has lots of pockets, and has room for movement. It also keeps me dry on the streets and on the river.
GORE-TEX Studio: Where and when did you get this… Do you have any special memories connected to this item? If you could go anywhere, where would you like to take this piece?
Ethan Pylypiw: I got this jacket from my friend Hugo about a year ago. Big Up Hugo! Stussy crew. The jacket is dear to me because it’s my fly fishing jacket and was also gifted. I want to take it to New Zealand and catch monster Brown Trout in it !!!
GORE-TEX Studio: How do you define the term “comfort” in clothing, in particular technical apparel?
Ethan Pylypiw: I’m not sure exactly… I think comfort is being able to move around with ease, feeling free. It’s funny cause I think lots of technical apparel now is too restraining. Bring back comfort and somewhat relaxed technical apparel!
GORE-TEX Studio: Tell us about your current and upcoming projects… what are you looking for in the next six months and what challenges do you see that you’re excited about?
Ethan Pylypiw: I just started as an archivist and consultant for a historic Canadian outerwear brand, so that will be fun, it’s a new experience. I really just want to be able to contribute to brands I like, looking back and seeing my imprint in them. Also to create my own world and/or brand with my friends that we all share a common vision with and pump out ideas together. I’m excited for all the mistakes and wins along the way, as long as I learn something. I think managing my time and deciding what things are worth putting my energy into will be hard, but good for my own growth as a professional.
