Words: Dante Ross
Photo: Maureen Songco
Augie Galan, one half of Acapulco Gold, cut his teeth working retail at the legendary NYC store Union in the late ’90s and quickly finagled his way into assisting at Supreme’s design department. Focusing initially on production management, he developed his design chops and soon helped to shape the line. After seven years at Supreme, he decided that the timing was right to start his own thing. In the spring of 2006, Augie and graphic artist Geoff Heath, also formerly of Supreme, unveiled their own brand, Acapulco Gold, to the unsuspecting masses.
Citing New York City in the ’80s, skating, hip hop, hardcore, vintage Polo and their tenure in the streetwear game as influences, the boys took all of these things, threw them in a big pot of gumbo and stirred. The result was Acapulco Gold, one of the best new lines in the streets these days. Augie and Geoff’s unique, simple yet flavorful designs are a breath of fresh air in these days of gumball machine inspired gear. Acapulco Gold hit the streets running with left-of-center T-shirts and amazing New Era’s, complete with the Gucci print brim bottoms. This season they unveil denim for the first time, expand on their already mean hat game, and offer a great lineup of banging new T-shirt designs. Augie and Geoff are looking forward to doing some cut and sew in the future, but intend to take things one day at a time as quality comes first and foremost for the fellas. In addition, Augie and Craig Metzger have a brother skateboard company called Instant Winner with top street rippers Billy Rohan, Torey Goodall and Pryce Holmes repping for them. Also look out for a video collabo with Ian Reid on the horizon.
Acapulco Gold’s roots are as real as the day is long and the designs are classic. So do yourself a favor, go cop yourself something at the local cool guy store before your homies do, and be the first on your block to rock the freshness!
