Fashion has always been my Northstar.

That irresistible urge to express myself visually began in my Pennsylvania Dutch hometown eventually landing me on the sunny, vibrant beaches of Venice, California. Setting roots shaded by the palm trees and surrounded by a community fueled by an unapologetic uniqueness, I began to find my own voice and build my Fashion career on a keen eye for craftsmanship and most importantly, staying true to me.

In the early ‘80’s I founded Artwear Embroidery, a brick and mortar custom manufacturing shop which created personalized custom-made jackets, serving Hollywood, local businesses and locals. While forming bonds with the community at large, I met someone that owned a firearm company. As our friendship grew and I learned more about this world and the particular sport of trapshooting, I was inspired to start Traphouse Gear, a specialized fashion line with that community in mind.

As I gained experience and my fascination with Fashion intensified, I moved from Imprinted Apparel Designer to a myrid of diverse design opportunities. My work went from the pages of GQ, Los Angeles Magazine, WWD to the bright lights, runways and stages of NY and Paris Fashion Weeks. I have even had the great fortune of spreading this passion as a Fashion Design Teacher at several westside LA high schools, helping the next generations of designers find their own north star.

Through the many beautiful twists and turns my career has taken, one thing remains constant - the importance of individuality and my unique voice. As I witness the major shifts in our current world, namely our planet’s climate concerns and the Artificial Intelligence takeover, it has become clear that my Fashion mission needs to move to a new phase.

And with that, I have decided to take Traphouse Gear out of the archives. Keeping the name to honor my dear friend and imbued with the same principles, but no longer just for the trapshooting community.

Traphouse Gear will reflect the concept of reuse, reduce and repurpouse

Traphouse Gear will defy algorithms

Traphouse Gear will be imperfect

Each product will be hand-crafted and infused with it’s own personality

This journey will begin with handbags made from scraps, deadstock and remnants of my past years, all individually crafted by me in my Venice studio. And I couldn’t be more excited to once again use Fashion to make a statement and serve the community.

In memory of Arthur Bright

( 1947 - 2023 ) 🤍