NOAH MARION QUALITY GOODS
FOUNDER + MAKER: NOAH MARION
WHY DO YOU CALL AUSTIN HOME
I grew up here, I moved away to New Orleans for college, and I couldn't wait to get back. It's truly the best city to live in the world, and I've been to a lot of them.
FAVORITE SONG/ARTIST/ALBUM FOR SPARK OF CREATIVITY
Currently I'm just killing the rolling stones.
BIGGEST DEBATE OF ALL: COFFEE Or TEA, BE SPECIFIC ;)
coffee 100% tea is great but it's just like the red headed step child of caffeine
WHO DO YOU FOLLOW FOR INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION
I'm not a big follower for inspiration on instagram, I go there more to see what my friends are up to because I work too much I don't get to catch up with them enough.
GO TO MID-DAY SNACK Or ROUTINE FOR CREATIVE FUEL
I always bring a vegetable/fruit smoothie with me to work that I have midday, usually spinach, mango, spirulina, coconut water and banana. I also have to admit that I make popcorn with a side of jalapeños here at the shop daily.
WHERE DO YOU DESIGN BEST? EX: HOME, STUDIO, NATURE, ETC.
Sitting at Jo's Coffee on SoCo is my best spot for design. But to be fair, it's really just me staring at the world pass by because I design in my mind almost exclusively.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE ANA RTIST + SHOP OWNER
I guess they say "it chose me" as I didn't really have a choice, I hate authority and I can't really deal with stupid people who became the boss for no reason at all. So I guess I just had to forge my own path.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT SO FAR OF YOUR CAREER
I would say when I opened up here on Lamar. It was pretty surreal to have my name so fucking huge on a building. Very humbling and quite a lot to chew but it has been worth it 100%
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR BRAND STANDS OUT
I don't know? I guess I just keep doing shit my way and sticking to my guns. Making the best possible work we can and designing the coolest shit ever. But really, we just do things the right way, built for life and don't compromise, so I think people respond to that.
WHO HAS HAD THE MOST CREATIVE INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE
I would have to say that it hasn't been one person but rather a memory, an idea, an image of the way things used to be and the way my grandad experienced the world. He lived in a time where people and companies just made products to the best of their abilities, using the best materials possible so they could stand behind what they did. And I'm trying to keep that dream alive.
HOW HAS SOCIAL HELPED YOUR BRAND
I guess that it's been helpful in so far as if it wasn't around I probably wouldn't be doing this. I started my company by posting a few photos on a social site and people were like "badass I'll take one" and I wasn't even planning on selling anything.
WHAT OTHER ARTISTS HAVE YOU LOVED COLLABORATING WITH, IF ANY
My favorite artist to collab with is Kyle Mosholder of d'emploi brooklyn: we just get each other and make the coolest shit together. We're debuting a new canvas collection soon!
TELL US ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LEATHER YOU CHOOSE TO USE IN YOUR PRODUCTS
It's just the best vegetable tanned leather around. But honestly, most real no bullshit leather is mostly the same as it's coming from the same cow.
HOW IMPORTANT IS SHOPPING LOCAL TO YOU
It's pretty important, considering I'm a local business with a shop that's open to the public. But I have to say that most of my business doesn't come from local supporters, so I wish it was more important for other people. It's also why so many businesses can't make it because they can't get enough support from their community. It all sounds really nice and it's cool to say shop local but people don't really do it enough, evidence in the amazon behemoth, people go for ease and cheap over local almost every time now.
HOW HAS THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY SUPPORTED YOU
I can't begrudge the city that supports me at all. It's been amazing and so generous, but refer to my previous post on the counterpoint to that all.
WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO A DESIGN COLLAB WITH A LOCAL AUSTIN ARTIST
Depends on if they can work their tail off, most people are lazy and don't follow through so I'm very skeptical at this point.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR CREATIONS
That they're all made by humans, real people with loved ones and families and bills to pay just trying to do the best they can. We are really making these things by hand here in the shop.
TELL US MORE ABOUT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEATHER INDUSTRY
I don't think I'm the really an expert on the importance of the leather industry but I will say that we're the reason that there isn't more waste in the meat industry. If it weren't for us all the hides would just be trash. So we're basically the sustainable portion of a pretty fucked up industry, so that's the silver lining.
AUSTIN LOCAL INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS
FAVORITE LOCAL FOOD TRUCK
I'm not a big food truck person. I'd rather spend my money at a place that has real plates to eat on and it's almost always the same price and less food at a trailer. That being said, East Side King Thai Kun at Whisler's is incredible.
FAVORITE LOCAL CURATED BOUTIQUE
I love ESBY. Or Kettle & Brine. Or Bykowski Tailor & Garb. Or Dylan Wylde. Oh and Nannie Innez is the jam. I really love all my local boutique owners and shops, they're so amazing.
FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP(S)
Jo's on SoCo is my spot. But I have to give a shoutout to my coffee shop WORK COFFEE CO. right here in the shop at 2053 South Lamar: the best damn espresso in the county.
MUST-SEE RECOMMENDATION(S) FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO AUSTIN
Barton Springs, South Congress, Noah Marion Quality Goods and Ramen Tatsuya.
WHERE CAN SUPPORTERS FIND YOUR PRODUCTS
www.noahmarion.com 2053 South Lamar Blvd or retailers all over the world!
