‘Young’ and ‘dynamic’ are buzzwords too often associated with any brand that’s heard of Banksy or a kickflip, but for the painfully cool Avalaan, they’ve never been more applicable.

Nestled amongst the independent community of Gloucester Road, Avalaan’s urban sportswear plunges you deep into a lo-slung world of hip-hop, street art and all things skate and snow. Sweet sneaks are on sale next to ski goggles and cans of spray paint, and the walls burst with the work of local graffiti artists. And then there’s the rainbow collection of t-shirts, scarves and hoodies.

Now approaching their fifth birthday, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride for founders Logan and Windy, who’ve put themselves through day jobs delivering pizza and pulling pints to get the brand to where it is today. After meeting in ski resort, Val D’Isere, around seven years ago, the duo came up with the idea of giving fresh, young artists the exposure they deserved by printing their work on clothing, and Avalaan was born.

Despite, or more likely because of, a lack of traditional business backgrounds, they wanted to give their community something back, so the unique Avalaan Familia was born. This spirited urban collective of artists, musicians and sporty types (such as the incredible 45RPM, Amelia Horne and Justin Norman) are supported creatively, with Avalaan at the very hub. “We’re really gathering momentum now,” says Logan, “we’d like to be moving forward with promotion – putting on more gigs and exhibitions in here.” For a brand with such an international appeal, what, I wonder, is keeping them in Bristol? “Bristol is an amazing, creative base – it’s here that you can talk about something, and it’ll actually get done”, he grins. And he’s not wrong. I can’t imagine Avalaan having taken off with such innovative force from anywhere else.

www.avalaan.com

Heather McKay