KAHOY KOLLECTION BIO
Kahoy Kollection, a California-based, eco-friendly, vintage-inspired eyewear brand offers sunglasses and optical frames with prescription lens options. Our stylish optics feature temples constructed from natural and sustainable materials such as bamboo, sandalwood and zebrawood and are individually handcrafted primarily in Japan. At Kahoy Kollection we strive to exude a transcendent global culture that is sophisticated, respectful, knowledgeable, and adventurous. We want to bring a modern, natural twist to vintage and familiar frames that are lightweight, comfortable and stylish. Kahoy Kollection also has it’s own flagship store in Downtown Los Angeles. Rooted in the ideology of ‘Reverse Kolonization’, we believe that as we travel and introduce our products to new places and audiences, we learn from, embrace, and adapt to the local cultures and identities. From this we create relationships of symbiosis that grow together both naturally and organically. Pairing with local, San Francisco-based pyrography artist, Gabe Valenzuela, Kahoy has hosted ‘Live-Burn’ events where customers are able to work with and personalize a pair of one-of-a-kind Kahoys. Well-versed in Polynesian, Filipino, and other tribal designs, Gabe delivers a symbolic and unique design every time. Kahoy Kollection has made waves in the industry with celebrities, musicians, bloggers, and fashionistas. Our stylish, natural frames have been featured in print and online publications including British GQ and Social Lifestyle Magazine and our products have also been showcased by CBS on their award-winning television game show “The Price is Right”. In the future, Kahoy Kollection wants to expand into global markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and South America. Kahoy stands at the intersection of culture, music, art and eco-friendly stylish products. Their ultimate goal is to be the next huge global eyewear brand, like Ray-Ban and expand its product lines to other eco-friendly accessories and clothing. ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Kahoy Kollection was founded by, Ralph P. Santos. Born in Guam, raised in Long Beach, California, Ralph is the son of Filipino parents. Drawing from the leadership of Ralph’s grandfather, who managed the first ever department store in Manila, his father, who owned and operated a fleet of taxicabs in Guam, and godmother, who owned and operated a number of optical stores throughout the Philippines, Ralph was a natural-born entrepreneur. Ralph used his inspiration, influences and experiences of traveling Southeast Asia, Teaching in Shanghai, and earning his MBA, to launch his third business-venture, Kahoy Kollection in December 2012. ABOUT THE TEAM
Ray Abad: Offering a background in photography, graphic design and marketing Ray has been working together with Ralph since 2013 and the team to preach the Kahoy motto, “Explore and Reconnect”; Encouraging people to explore the world while taking in new experiences and reconnecting with their long lost ancestry. The incorporation of natural materials into the design of Kahoy Kollection optics are meant to help reconnect with nature helping to shape a unique and spiritual journey. Ray heads up operations in the bay area, leading the Kahoy San Francisco team with brother and partner, James Vick. In 2015, the Kahoy SF team began working in collaboration with the founders of San Francisco-based Woodstalk Bamboo, fellow Berkeley alumni James Carr-Nelson and Michael Juberg to create the Krush Proof Kase, a sustainable storage solution for Kahoy frames. Terri "Miss Tez" Smith started the Sydney, Australia Chapter of Kahoy Kollection and will be expanding into New Zealand along with her sister Jaylyn Smith
CONTACT INFO
Ralph P Santos
616 South Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90014
323-505-2469
[email protected]
facebook.com/kahoykollection
Instagram:
Ray Abad
3608 19th Street
San Francisco, California 94110
650-200-0220
[email protected]
Instagram:
SOCIAL MEDIA
