fashion Grandview Apparel Clothing Line One Love | Youthink
Image credit:  grandviewapparel.com | Proceeds of all sales of Grandview Apparel's "One Love" T-shirts will go towards the Trevor Project, an organization determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth.

Grandview Apparel Clothing Line

by Tanya Rose Commisso - Alpha Secondary, Burnaby BC Jan 31, 2011
Musican, designer, future professional bee keeper? It seems Mathew Gendron, bassist of local (Maple RIdge, BC) band The Latency, is on his way to becoming jack of all trades. Grandview Apparel - the recently launched socially conscious clothing line - was built from the ground up by Gendron, and revolves around the message of love, as every piece is created with just that.
 
Combining his knack for interacting with fans and his experience designing merchandise, which he's acquired throughout his years as a part of The Latency, the blooming, homegrown line just may be readily becoming an alternative outlet for teenage customers. In a recent interview, Youthink had the chance to talk with Gendron to discuss what inspired him to start a clothing line, the charity the line is involved with and what comes next for the 20-year-old Maple Ridge native.

YT: Coming from more of a musical background, what made you interested in launching a clothing line?

MG: I’ve always been into graphic design and the screen-printing process. Actually, in the early years of the band, I designed the band’s shirts. I was, and continue to be, the one in charge of our merchandise. They kind of go hand-in-hand in a way.
 
YT: Is there any particular significance behind the name Grandview?
MG: The idea came to me while coming back from a three-month tour. Being away from so long and taking the Grandview Highway exit to the hometown show was such a surreal feeling.
 
YT: In building up your clothing line, you’ve interacted with your fans and customers, getting their input on the designs along the way. Why is it so important to you that they have a role?
MG: Everything I make on the line is for the people, so why not let them have a say in what goes on? I want people to feel connected to the line and not just seem like another guy throwing some shirts online, expecting people to be excited about it.
 
YT: One of your most popular designs features the phrase “One Love,” with proceeds of those shirt sales going to the Trevor Project.
What inspired you to get involved with a charity specific to the LGBTQ community?
MG: Coming fresh out of high school it was obvious that the LGBTQ youth are put through the ringer for reasons completely out of their control. After the rush of suicides at the end of 2010, I heard about The Trevor Project and it seemed like an obvious choice.
 
YT: You’ve also created wallets made 100% out of tape. Was this done with the intention of being eco-friendly?
MG: Although most things I do in both my professional and personal life have an eco-friendly approach, this was done with the intention of being wicked cool, haha. My friend, Sean Maestri, used to make these a few years back and as I launched the store I asked him if he wanted to bring them back for Grandview, he was stoked on the idea and they are being launched February 1st!
 
YT: Which design in your line is your favourite and why?
MG: Each design has a different meaning to me and I’m happy with them all but my favourite has to be the One Love tee. It’s just my style and knowing that proceeds go to an amazing cause, feels awesome.
 
YT: Aside from the band and the line, are there any other projects you’d like to venture into in the future?
MG: I’ve been crazy busy juggling the two as is but I don’t know … never say never? Mathew the bee keeper, 2013?
 
YT: Speaking of The Latency, what’s coming up for the band that your fans should know about?
MG: Well, we have our entire second album written, and demoed. Our next step is recording our first single, shooting a video and hitting the road to promote the album’s release.
 
For more information on Grandview Apparel and the designs available for purchase, visit grandviewapparel.com. For the month of February, all orders over $40 will recieve a free Much Love bracelet, and for every One Love t-shirt purchase, the donation made to the Trevor Project will be personally matched by Mathew. Also, keep yourself updated on all the latest band news by visiting thelatencyofficial.com
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