Raised in Venice CA, founders Jake Shockley and Oliver Sun grew up surfing, skating, and causing mischief. Their parents introduced them before they even understood english. Both grew up side by side bonding over similar interests, hobbies and passions. "We both were artists in our own right, I loved ceramics and sculpture and Oliver loved painting", Jake said. The two overlapped in one artistic love however: fashion. Crazy enough, they both applied to college as art majors facing their own complications. Jake went to UCSB as a College of Creative Studies Sculpture major, while Oliver traveled to the east coast attending Syracuse as an Art major.
Taku, named after Jake's family cabin in British Columbia Canada, originally started as Jake's surfboard shaping company from the years 2022 - 2024 (Taku Surfboards). Oliver often got dragged along to photo shoots as both the subject and the photographer. "One of my favorite boards I own to this day is a crescent tail grey quad that Jake shaped me during our Junior year of high school" Oliver says.
Located 6 miles by boat from Atlin, BC, is a remote cabin in the middle of dense Yukon forest. Originally purchased by my grandpa, this remote cabin now sits on protected land. Taku is an escape as well as a place to reconnect. Without cell service, electricity or running water, you are forces to both look inward and connect with the people around you.
As a brand and collective, Taku serves as an homage to two places. Blending the Dog Town inspired gritty surf, skate and artist culture of Venice, CA with the love of life and community centered nature of British Columbia Canada's Taku cabin.