Today, July 14th, we're proud to recognize Bastille Day, while our co-founder tours through Paris this week. Bastille Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on the 14th July 1789, and the unity of the French people during the Fête de la Fédération on the 14th July 1790. It's a national holiday in France, most business are closed, and there is an amazing parade at Champs-Elysées and concert & fireworks at the Eiffel tour, which our co-founder proudly documented this year.

We decided to spend a few weeks in Europe this summer to meet with manufacturing partners, attend our first European market, catch up with a few old friends, and broaden Apolis’ advocacy outreach. On June 26, my wife and I (Raan), landed in Paris for the men’s market and exhibited Apolis at the Man Show (June 27 to 29). It was great to see some of our favorite European stores that we have worked with over the years, and to begin friendships with a couple new retailers from Europe and across the globe. Some of the highlights were connecting with Trunk Clothiers, from London; Fott, from Moscow; and French retailers The Next Door and Boutique Plus.

While in Paris, we checked in with our friend Marcel Lassance, who is an amazing designer and men’s fashion director of Apolis’ French retail partner, Merci. The lifestyle shop is a refreshing example of retail done well, and it was amazing to see their space in person. Also while in Paris, we made the most of the World Cup craze and watched the France game in front of Hôtel de Ville de Paris, with a few thousand new friends.

After the Man trade show, we met up with my brother (Shea) and his wife in Milan on July 2 and headed to a few factory meetings. We then rented a car on Saturday morning and headed to Lake Como for the weekend to relax after a long workweek. In 2004, I spent a year in Europe, driving everywhere, and even though Los Angeles traffic is tough, it always takes some acclimation to get back behind the wheel in the EU. Overall, we had an amazing time in the communities surrounding Lake Como.

We met up with two of Apolis’ Italian manufacturing partners, both individuals representing their respective textile mills and both incredible examples of Italy’s global authority in the textile industry. We also paid a visit to the owner of the A.Gi.Emme shop in Como, Alberto Monti. Alberto’s four-store chain is a noteworthy European retail brand, and he has created a phenomenal assortment of men’s, women’s, kids’, and home. We made sure to pick up some gifts for family at home!

We’re excited to be in Europe for a couple more weeks. I will be in Portugal, meeting with factories and mills, through July 12, and Shea will be in Paris and London, seeing retail and advocacy partners, through July 19. We love being immersed in the summer rhythm of working in Europe for a few weeks. It’s sincerely rewarding to experience a culture by interacting with the inspiring individuals that are responsible for stimulating local commerce. We are looking forward to sharing more European highlights over the next couple weeks and we will continue to preview our journey over at style.com.

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We are always looking to expand our network of global partners and build new relationships with artisans, distributors, nonprofits and co-ops. It continues to surprise us that some of our most high impact projects have been the result of a well-timed introduction and a simple conversation about common goals. We truly depend on our close circle of advisers and advocates to connect us with communities and individuals who they see as being on a similar path and today we want to ask YOU to submit your Advocacy Stories. To better understand the process behind our advocacy outreach, follow our Instagram for Apolis co-founder periodic Instagram takeover, today through July 19th. During our periodic Instagram takeover Apolis co-founder will be sharing his experiences while traveling through Paris meeting with friends, retail partners, and broadening Apolis' advocacy outreach. Tag yourself or any European friends that you think should be heard, their products should be known or just communities that inspire you! Our first Global Citizen Case Study is a great example of how Apolis' advocacy outreach comes full circle and how we have the track record to accelerate incredible stories.

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