"Rise Early, Work Hard, Strike Oil": Nats Getty

January 12, 2024

Nats Getty Gorgeous is calling for a creative revolution. Two weeks ago, the model and designer announced the opening of his first Strike Oil storefront in LA. Not relying on fleeting trends and fast fashion fads, Strike Oil is ageless and genderfluid — focused on quality, not quantity.

Dedicated to uplifting artists in the scene, Getty keeps an open mind, always on the lookout for cool freelance designers to work with on collaboratons, all in the pursuit of a world free of "judgment and jealousy where individuality and expression are celebrated," after all, “Being different isn’t bad, it’s our currency.”

Photography Luke Abby
Styling Cassie Jekanoski
Introduction Izzy Capulong
Talent Ciarda Hall + DeAngelo Ableidinger
Hair Sokina Hamrabaeva at Paradis using Oribe
Makeup Jaime Diaz at Paradis using Mac Cosmetics
Set Design Daniel Horowitz
Photo Assistant Josh Paul Thomas
Fashion Assistant Karen Gonzales
Creative Producer Olivia Roper-Caldbeck
On-site Producer Pia Mileaf-Patel
Jr. Creative Producer Liv Solomon

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a designer?

I realized I wanted to be a designer while I was at college. I had started modeling around that time which put me in the fashion world and I was simultaneously looking for new creative outlets to better express myself and my point of view. To be honest, I believe the designer was in me my entire life and I just needed the correct circumstances to fully realize it.

What gave you the initial idea for Strike Oil?

I owned an old YSL leather jacket and hand-painted on the back of it, and each time I wore it out people would ask me where I got it from. People would constantly compliment the art work, and so eventually I felt this is something I should develop and explore further, and that's how Strike Oil began its journey.

Where does the name come from?

The name Strike Oil is lifted from a famous quote by my great-grandfather, “Rise early, work hard, strike oil.” I think of Strike Oil as a tongue-in-cheek spin on what people perceive me to be. I acknowledge my roots but am carving my own path with my designs and my brand.

I think of Strike Oil as a tongue-in-cheek spin on what people perceive me to be. I acknowledge my roots but am carving my own path.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by everything; music, art, cracks in the concrete, clouds, photography, and fashion throughout history all inspire me. I can find inspiration anywhere and I’m always looking. One really important source of inspiration is true authentic attitude. When I see someone with a magnetic attitude that’s authentic, I feel instantly inspired. I think a great example of this is Keith Haring, one of my favorite artists.

Describe Strike Oil in three songs:

Who wears Strike Oil? Where do they hang out? What do they like to do? Do they stay at the afters or go home early? What’s their morning routine?

Being an inclusive brand has always been a core tenant of Strike Oil. I truly believe that the future of fashion is gender fluid and ageless so it’s really important to me to acknowledge that Strike Oil is for everyone.

Strike Oil can be worn anywhere from the red carpet to an after hours rave. I like that the clothing transitions well from day to night, season to season (thank you LA weather!), and works equally as well on stage as it does at a dive bar on a Friday night. A lot of our staple pieces are riffs on classic workwear and heritage styles so the clothes aren’t limited to any particular trend or time period. I want the clothes to be part of people's experiences, to be lived in, and to become a part of their stories.

What does a creative revolution look like to you?

A creative revolution to me is total freedom of expression. Not relying on fleeting trends and fads and fast fashion, but rather, collaboration and support within creative communities and between creatives and artists. I would love to see a creative world free of judgment and jealousy where individuality and expression are celebrated.

I want the clothes to be part of people's experiences, to be lived in, and to become a part of their stories.

What role does Strike Oil play in said revolution?

The idea of creative revolution played a large part in Strike Oil’s inception and defining what that means and our role in it is a huge part of our brand ethos. For example, Strike Oil doesn’t currently have an in-house graphic designer so we are always on the lookout for cool freelance designers that we can commission and then feature. So instead of mood boarding and then ripping these artists off, we’re hiring them and then highlighting them to our audience. In this way I hope we are able to lift artists up by entering into these collaborative relationships.

What’s in store for Strike Oil in the near future?

The future is bright for Strike Oil. We have our first store-front opening in 2024 in Los Angeles. I’m also looking forward to more collaborations, shows, and launching new collections. The work of Strike Oil will never be done!

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.

Fashion

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Escaping the Glass Cage

November 19, 2024

For years, she stood still, watching life rush past her, a quiet observer behind the glass. Now, the glass is broken, and she steps out into the unknown. She walks through the city, caught between two worlds—part of it, yet apart from it.

Her journey is quiet but bold, searching for something she’s never understood, something just out of reach. On church steps and under glowing city lights, she questions everything: the rules, the past, and where she truly belongs. Each step feels both freeing and uncertain.

A curious soul in a borrowed life, she keeps moving forward, leaving behind only whispers of her escape, like a fleeting shadow in the night.