Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Simon.
Hi Blake, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am the founder and creative director of KRUK Designs.
I have always admired the craftsmanship and attention to detail of creative visionaries. It has both inspired and motivated me to bring my ideas to fruition. Over the last decade and a half, I have taken the initiative to share my passions through creative mediums and ventures of my own.
My story starts at an early age. Back in 2007, at the age of 15, I started photographing high-end cars across South Florida. Soon after, some of the owners started to pay me for professional photos in advance of a photoshoot. I would find myself attending as many events as possible with my father to make a name for myself in the community and developed some strong, lasting relationships with people in the collector car scene. It was a chapter in my life that has made a lasting impression on me.
Fast forward to 2014, while in college, I co-founded my first brand, Horus Watch Straps. We saw a need in the market to add a personal touch to luxury timepieces, and we had become impactful pioneers within the watch industry. Horus had grown very quickly and I made the decision during my later years in college to leave and focus entirely on the brand.
After my time at Horus in 2019, I began to devise a plan to create a high-end luxury goods brand – which has always been my ultimate dream. Within the last two years of intense research and development, KRUK was born.
I knew that above all, I wanted KRUK to exhibit quality to the highest degree. We spent a long time and performed a global search to source the finest leathers and hardware, and we also brought on highly skilled artisans who share the same passion for craftsmanship. We launched this past summer and have KRUK factories both here in the USA and in Italy.
I have a strong innate desire to bring people value and ultimately connect with them from what I create. At my first venture, Horus learned the precision in detail – the kind of precision that exists in the world of luxury timepieces. Our mission statement has always been to exceed the expectations of our clients by providing an experience unlike anywhere else.
Something else I would like to add, growing up my mother always used to say, ‘Take Care of Your People’ and as a homage to her, we’ve included that message physically hidden in every leather good we produce. A reminder that means a lot to myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our deep passion for what we do is the catalyst that drives us through any adversity that we face, and we’ve certainly had our share.
Initially, our launch date for KRUK was for March 2020, which as everyone knows was when the world shut down for the onset of the pandemic. KRUK ran into supply chain issues and our factories shut down entirely; this resulted in us having to make connections with suppliers over the phone and online. Interestingly, we spent much more time getting to know our suppliers over the phone than we may have otherwise. Our entire team shared the same vision, and it was special to see everyone come together for the common goal.
I do feel like in the end, the delay allowed us to iron out every detail within the product line, which resulted in something that we are extremely proud of, down to the thread. I think we all have realized that tomorrow is not promised and we have to live for today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is our attention to detail and distinctive designs. Having striking yet timeless silhouettes and overall design language is true to the core DNA of the brand. I gained a lot of inspiration from racing and motorsports, which stemmed from the photography I did as a kid. I have also enjoyed finding ways to implement design cues and patterns to the collection that are reminiscent of this. Our latest cardholder release is modeled after vintage Porsche interiors from the early ‘80s – known by Porsche as ‘Pepita’ Houndstooth.
It’s hard for me to say which product I am most proud of, but if I had to pick one, I would say the KRUK Checkered Leather Backpack. This is what shaped the brand and was the first project we undertook. It’s our signature piece and there’s really nothing like it. Each backpack takes a total of 10-15 hours to complete and is quality to the core. Truly handcrafted from start to finish and something that needs to be experienced in person.
We are always working on future concepts and designs for the collection. Venturing into new product territories where we feel that our creative approach will have a positive impact on our community.
Pricing:
- KRUK Checkered Leather Backpack – $2,950.00
- KRUK ‘Pepita’ Houndstooth Card holder – $295.00
- KRUK Ocean Blue Leather Card holder – $255.00
- KRUK Royal Blue Embroidered Socks – $25.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.krukdesigns.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/krukdesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/krukdesigns
Image Credits:
@cmvisuals
@bharmon417
