Style Strategies
⇾ Jimmy Gorecki, Skateboarder
& Fashion Entrepreneur
The skater turned designer has impeccable taste and a serious love for the Eagles
Skateboarding was a sport I always wanted to try, but I could never commit to falling repeatedly, so I picked up a basketball instead. Still, I gravitated towards skating because they were always up on what's next. From music and fashion to magazines, if you had a pulse on skate culture, that would open the entire subculture world, and that's still the case today.
One guy that has seemingly tied in his athletic background and obsession with aesthetics is Jimmy Gorecki, co-founder of Standard Issue Tees and founder of JSP. Standard Issue Tees make some of the best and heaviest sweatsuits in the game and can be found on NBA's elites walking through the tunnel. LeBron James is a fan—a distinction that means a lot to Gorecki. “Just as someone that appreciated what he's brought to the world of professional sports since he was a kid,” he says of LeBron supporting the brand. “That alone was an incredible feeling.” His JSP brand has been part of great collaborations—one recently was with Vans, where he dug back into the label's archive and reinterpreted classics—one pair paid homage to his hometown team Philadelphia Eagles.
Jimmy's style, at the core, is still a skater, but with an appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship. You'll typically find him in his signature sweatsuit and Hender Scheme's or his own namesake Gorecki pants, which he and 18 East founder Antonio Ciongoli collaborated on. The guy is laid back and never looks like he's trying too hard, much like the way he skates. We caught up with him to see why skaters are the biggest trendsetters, what he's into at the moment and what he refuses to spend money on.
What are you shopping for
at the moment?
Honestly, I'm looking forward to that one piece of Pharrell's first LV collection that I can pair with the Nigo and Virgil LV shoe that was inspired by the Bape Manhunt. That shoe had a lot of sentimental value to me which is why I got them. I'm sure Pharrell will have something that hits home like that for me.
You were one of the first members on Pharrell’s Ice Cream skate team—what was that like?
Pharrell and the skate team manager, Nino Scalia, changed my life. Of all of the accolades in P's incredible career, the skate program has a special place. It wasn't until I was in the thick of things that I realized how big it all was. It's been 17 years since the skate film came out, and 15 since the program ended—it still has such a special place in the history of the skate, fashion and music culture.
How did you know it was time to start your own brand?
I think I knew it was time to start my brand when I realized I still had a strong passion to get the things and ideas that were important to me out in the form of products. I thought designs and collaborations filled voids in terms of where my head and heart have been over the last 10-plus years.
How would you describe your style in five words or less?
Tacky ... highs, and lows. Comfortable. Uncommon.
Why are skaters usually the ones who set trends?
As the late, great Keith Hufnagel stated, it's a “f@#k it”, mentality. As a skater, you have to be as resourceful as possible. With that, you can't care what anyone thinks or says. Beyond that it's just the hardest of these types of art forms. That's what's always drawn the different cultures that are enamored with skating—from the biggest footwear manufacturers to large fashion houses.
MIP-22 shoe,
$785 by Hender Scheme
What are the parallels between skating and designing?
The process. If someone is not working hard on their skateboard and they're in a position where there may be a lot of eyeballs on them, the skate community can tell. The same goes for design. You see a shoe like one from Hender Scheme, and the time, quality and craftsmanship that went into it is crystal clear. Even something like the couple that does the brand Who Decides War—you look at those pieces and see how intricate they are. The process is where you can see if someone has dedicated themselves.
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What’s your favorite album to skate to?
Great question. Different albums reflect different periods of my life and my love for skateboarding. If I had to select one, it would be Beanie Sigel's first album, The Truth.
What’s one item that you
cannot part with?
My Jeff Hamilton 2018 Eagles Super Bowl Championship jacket. I told my wife to bury me in it. I don't think she understood how serious I was.
Do you shop more online or in person?
In person, definitely. I like going in, trying something on, and rapping with the store clerks. Walking out with a fucking bag. Leaving with a bag feels good. You work hard for your money. You should be able to exit with the gratification that the item provides, whatever it is. Clothes, tools, whatever.
Black T-shirt,
$90 (for 3-pack)
by Standard Issue Tees
What’s one item that every man needs in his closet?
A great T-shirt. Or rather, a 3-pack of tees.
Drawstring pant,
$185 by RTH
Three favorite brands, currently?
I've fallen in love with Hender Scheme over the years. RTH, which was in L.A.—is now based out of Palm Springs. Rene's pants are my favorite. Aesthetics skateboards, which Sal Barbier is bringing back. Standard Issue and JSP, of course.
What city has the best shopping?
Right now, I'm going to say London because my wife and I just took our daughter there and she had the best time. The different things she wanted and was interested in were there, as were the things we wanted. Harrods is pretty awesome.
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What’s a necessary
extravagance for you?
A closet full of coats living in Los Angeles.
What is something you like to save money on or refuse to spend a lot for?
Right now, sneakers, unfortunately. Fortunately, we have so many friends that work in the sneaker space. They have massive promotional budgets for seeding. The beauty of being able to help them promote products is a pretty cool, reciprocal action. Hopes are it all helps our friends and family that run businesses in the retail space as well. Unless it's a pair of Hender Schemes ... then the bag will be dropped.
Philadelphia Eagles hat,
$41.99 by New Era
Ever buy things in multiples?
A well-fitted cap. A lot of the Cooperstown Collections stuff I like either isn't around long or the shape or size may be off, so I'll cop two.
Which do you experience more: buyer’s remorse or regret for not buying something?
Not buying something. There are so many amazing brands across the board. Great designs. Great product. Who has the time to wear it all? When you do see someone running something you like, that's a regretful feeling.
What’s one shopping hack that you can let everyone know about?
Standard Issue Tees offers a monthly subscription on their T-shirts— singles and three packs. Knowing how busy most folks are nowadays, I think having those fresh tees show up on time monthly is the biggest life hack.
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