Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Otto Sabina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Otto, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
One of the primary differences between Pandect’s business model and the industry standard is in the timing, offering, and volume of products we release in Pandect Wear Capsule Releases. The industry standard for clothing companies whether corporate (think J. Crew or GAP) or smaller (Stussy or Supreme) follow’s a general seasonal trend to help inform the products they produce and subsequently release. In addition to following the season, companies typically produce a humongous volume of products, usually in order to fill factory MOQ’s (minimum order quantity) and position themselves to be able to sell these products as competitively priced as possible.
Pandect takes a different approach to accomplishing similar goals. To date, Pandect Wear’s Capsules have not followed seasonal trends, Capsule VI, our most recent offering of Ski Gear was released April 2nd 2023, at the end of the Winter. Capsule V, comprising of T shirts, Bucket Hats and Up-cycled pants was released September 24th 2023 and did not fit the typical “fall” collection. Where were the flannels and layering pieces?
In addition to not following seasonal trends to inform Pandect’s product offerings, Pandect chooses to find different avenues to sourcing competitively priced, high quality goods. Thus far, our alternative approaches have positioned us to able to sell products for a reasonable price. We have been working with Los Angeles Apparel to source the blanks for our garments since 2021. The quality of their goods is exemplary and we are very grateful to be working with them. LA Apparel manufacturers all of their garments in the USA, and they pay their employees a minimum of $25 an hour. Those are the types of companies we work with when it comes to manufacturing new goods. Another avenue we take to sourcing products is up-cycling. We believe in up-cycling because it allows us to make completely unique 1-1 garments which comprise a cohesive collection. Upcycled garments also have an environmental benefit. Up-cycling also allows us to not contribute to the unfortunate reality of the textile industry being one of the world’s biggest polluters. There are times where Pandect has to go out and produce products through more traditional avenues. Recently we has been working with a dear friend, Justin Goost Allen whose connections in the accessory, manufacturing and packaging marketplace have been essential. We highly suggest reaching out to him via his website afriendofgoost.com if you are ever looking for any support in creating great products at a competitive price point.
Pandect’s different approach to sourcing competitively priced product matters because of its community and environmental impacts. Pandect’s approach also shows you do not have to manufacturer thousands of units in order to make a company float. In fact, we’ve found consumers really appreciate the pieces of Pandect Wear they own are more unique and subsequently personal to them. Pandect strives to break the mold of companies pumping out quarterly offerings of product.
We subscribe to a patient, artistic approach to creation, one that attempts to empty ourselves, surrendering in order to allow our best work to come to light.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have always loved Skiing. For me, skiing is a constant injection of inspiration into my life. It has become a spiritual activity. Growing up, the first place in my life I ever thought about how I looked in clothing was on the Ski Hill. At that time (2000’s) skiing was in a bit of a sweet spot, a classic offshoot of the sport “freestyle” was progressing into another realm, moving away from moguls, pulling from all sorts of other sports and culture: skate boarding, windsurfing, snowboarding, rock n roll, and hip hop. Skiers were starting to ski on hand rails in cities on snowy nights, wear completely different clothing (typically not even waterproof or actually functional), and the style of the sport was having an overhaul.
I grew up watching the landscape of a sport which is integral to my family and I’s lives radically change, and I loved it. I fell in love with a Colorado based company called Jiberish, they were making unique hoodies and graphic tee’s which at that time were basically impossible to get. Growing up I was obsessed with them and ended up getting my hands on a piece or two. Fast forward to 2014, my sophomore year of college. I am living in Denver going to Regis University, skiing my brains off, and end up having the opportunity to apply for an internship with Jiberish. I ultimately landed that internship which is the trailhead that lead me to where I am now. In 2016 I started working at Fice Gallery, an authorized retailer of Nike, Jordan, Stussy, Born & Raised (RIP Spanto), Carhart WIP and so many other inspirational brands. Those two experiences really informed the work that I do now. They respectively exposed me to two crucially different approaches to running a clothing company; one where the business manufacturers and sells their products in house/direct to consumer and one which takes a wholesale to retail model to the business.
My avenue into falling in love with the clothing world was founded in thinking about how I got dressed skiing as a kid. It’s evolved into a business which produces products I use on a daily basis. The clothing Pandect has released to date is a continuation of my personal wardrobe, the home goods and accessories Pandect has produced are goods I found myself using daily and figured out a way to manufacturer Pandect’s own rendition. I have had chronic Lymes Disease and several Co-Infections since 2012 and have been using CBD to help manage my symptoms, that’s why in October 2021 Pandect released a patient developed line of Full Spectrum (THC free) CBD products. This patient developed product line is designed to expose consumers to a broader offering of Cannabinoids and their potential health benefits.
I am proud that I took my time, I am proud of the art, products, moments, events, and contributions Pandect has made thus far. I am proud that even after three years into this journey I feel like I am just getting started. Finally, I could not be more proud of what’s next for Pandect.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Unlearning, arguably my favorite activity of late. I have been doing a lot of unlearning in recent years, both in my personal and professional life. If there is one standout thing I am continuing to work on unlearning, its routine. I have been cultured throughout my education and life that a solid, consistent routine is the path to accomplishing your goals. If you stay focused on doing what you know you need to do in order to get where your trying to go, assuming your continuing to progress you will “make it.”
What’s peculiar about this past year has been how expansive the moments outside of my routine have been. Travel, taking a different route on my dog walk, engaging the same person I talk too daily in a different manner than ever before. The moments I have made myself most uncomfortable have provided the best moments of my year thus far.
I realized my continual quest for efficiency has resulted in a sort of lulling myself to sleep. One where I have been missing out on some of the meat of life. By breaking my routine, I have started to add an updated layer of depth back into my life and my work. This approach does not mean avoiding what is necessary, rather approaching what is necessary with nuanced perspective and refurbished action. The act of slowing down and trying to be more patient has injected an updated level of deliberate action which, through repetition, has started to allow my work to be more nuanced and resonate with a broader audience.
In eastern thought, the “child’s gaze” speaks to the uncultured, untampered view a child holds towards the world. To me, Unlearning is an avenue to regaining this pure approach to being in the world. I am working on unlearning all that I can to get back to this archetypal root.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
Pandect keeps in touch with our customers in three primary ways; Social Media, In Person Events, and Email Blasts.
Pandect is committed to a curated marketing strategy. Pandect does not needlessly post or do events or reach out via email. Whenever Pandect has something real to offer, Pandect starts to make some noise. We are not interested in playing the constantly needing to post game prescribed by todays Algorithm.
Art and creatives have never before been on such a condensed timeline for this quantity of curated work. Pandect feel’s the idea that creatives are always creating, always have something coming up next is unrealistic. Just as an athlete needs their off-season, creatives need time to rest, recharge and get inspiration in order to create true works.
Pandect is committed to never overflowing our customers with information and media, we feel this approach fosters brand loyalty. Pandects customers know that when we host or participate in an event, it’s a moment they want to be a part of. Our customers know that when Pandect posts something on social media it has real meaning to it. Our customers know that if there’s an email blast in their inbox, it means something is coming and it’s not another spam email.
Pandect could not be more grateful for our customers and clients, Thank You. You have allowed us to start to bring this vision and subsequent mission to life. We really are just getting started.
It’s what they not.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pandectllc.com
- Instagram: @_pandect_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottosabina4532/featured
Image Credits
Gustavo Lemus (@play3oy)