Talking to The Founder of Utilikilts - Krash! Tartan Talks Interview
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- In this interview Rocky talks to Steve Krash Villegas, founder of the one and only Utilikilts company - the groundbreaking fashion brand that got the whole utility/cargo kilt scene started. The lads discuss the ups and downs, weirdness and wow moments of being an entrepreneur in the 21st century.
Why do men wear utility kilts?
What Is A Utility Kilt?
How has Utilikit changed men's fashion in the last 20 years?
From the Wiki:
"The Utilikilts Company is an American contemporary or "utility" kilt company founded by Steven 'Krash' Villegas in April 2000. Villegas created his first kilt in the late '90s as an alternative to pants meant to offer freedom of movement, while working on his motorcycle. Created from an old pair of military pants, Villegas was so fond of his creation he wore it quite often around town. He was approached by his first customer, "a bouncer that you wouldn't want to mess with", at a local bar. That first encounter encouraged him to produce more kilts, and sell them at the Pike Place Market and Fremont Street Market, in Seattle. Villegas soon formed the Utilikilts Company, establishing both brick-and-mortar and web-based storefront for the product. "
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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.
www.USAKilts.com
Find Your Tartan!: www.usakilts.com/galleries
CZcams: / usakiltsofficial
Facebook: / usakilts
Instagram: / usakilts
E-mail: sales@usakilts.com
I hope comments allow my conveying my full joy - this video delighted and warmed my heart.
I met Krash 20+ years ago and bought my first kilt from him on the spot at a solstice festival. Every year after that I visited his booth at that fair he was slammed - and as I walked in kilted he pressed me into sales assistance as I at least appeared to 'get it'. And I did indeed get a couple of kilts sold for him. It was initially a shock - being a stranger pressed into impromptu service - but as I came to learn, not at all a surprise. I came to learn he was a local artist, and I fancied myself similar. I respected more than feared the opportunity.
I had only one Utilikilt for years, but have added many since - including a couple of USA kilts. My literal 'original' is now being worn by my son. What started as rare occasion is now daily. I build guitars so am off the beaten path as a man and business owner somewhat anyway, but that was never the point. I wear them specifically for the reasons Krash suggested they originated as, and ought to be. But I grew into that - I didn't get it at first. I'm pretty sure I do now.
I've worn out almost a hand full of Utilikilts, beat the hell out of my duck cloth kilts, gifted a few others (my son as mentioned above being one), and have been kilted daily now for more than 12 years. USA Kilts was my go-to when UKs weren't quite formal enough for blazers/suit jackets.
Kudos to you both for the respect you amply show for one another - I am a present and future customer to you both. Thank you!
Nice story and thank you for the Kudos. Krash ans Rocky really do respect each other. 😁
I absolutely love this interview. Rocky is asking relevant questions, and Krash is answering so honestly and so you can relate.
Yes, men in "skirts" shows you're comfortable in your "manhood" (kinda hate saying that). You're comfortable wearing a garment you want to.
The reference to someone being mature enough to embrace it is a good point. It does take a certain maturity to wear the garment, and wear it well, and respectfully. Kudo to Krash for being an industry creator.
As a very satisfied customer of both companies for many years kudos to both. Very informative conversation... you can take out the kilt-related discussion and focus only on the business-related conversation and this would be a great discussion on how two passionate guys started companies and became successful through hard work and customer focus.
I appreciate the comment about the maturity of folks going outside the mainstream to wear something different.
I do not own a UK and they are not for me But, I know a few people that do and I have a lot of respect for the quality of their Product. Over the years I have had a lot conversations with UK wearers (?) on the street and it always ends in smiles and handshakes.
On a side note to Rocky and Krash...... Curmudgeons Unite!
Invest in your people: the growth might be slow but the workers help sell the product and company as a result
Right On!
Really enjoyed this video and have been a customer of both Rocky and Krash. I got married in a Survival Utilikilt and it really was a gateway to wearing traditional kilts and going "all in" on my Scots heritage.
Great interview! Keep it up! - there are definitely places/occasions to wear utility and traditional kilts - wearing around the house where a traditional kilt gets seriously wrinkled, doing chores, and attending events where security uses metal detectors, I wear a utility kilt (5.11 TDK with metal detector friendly belt), I wear a traditional kilt for everything else.
I bought a Utilikilt Workman from the Pioneer Square store back in 2013 when it was still a nice neighborhood. Yes, I had to endure the "changing room" treatment.
I still wear that kilt regularly, and it's holding up great after 10 years. I mostly wear it to do work around the house, so it gets some hard use.
I have since added another Workman and a Survival to my collection, along with a couple other kilts from other makers. I wore the Survival on a hike up the Sierra Buttes a few years ago, and got a few complements, even from young women (I'm part of the over 50 crowd now).
One of my greatest experiences was to work with Steven at Queen Mary Highland Games in the Utilikilts booth.
I have an RRS kilt (mil-box pleated Campbell), my first kilt, which is a joy to wear even in summer, and I have recently been thinking about a Utilikilt for work given I enjoy the former so much.
Thoroughly enjoyed this talk from you both and feel more spurred to do so the more I hear from Krash.
P.S. Rocky you're looking great!
I used to chair a large BDSM Pansexual Org in New England that would put on a weekend event with vendors. Utilikilts would vend with us all the time. I would see Steve and he would say to hey…. We need to get you into a Utilikilt! Wasn’t my thing. Partly because it was too casual and I’m more formal / traditional. Plus everyone in BDSM / gay community who wear kilts are wearing some variation of Utilikilts. So in this community his design is the mainstream. You don’t see traditional kilts at events like the one I used to help put on. I turned 40 and my metabolism changed, married a Sicilian who shows his love with food. So my weight was up and down. So I never knew if my expensive leather pants would fit. At the same time started doing my genealogy. Never had any relationship with the Scottish side of my family. So it was this combination of things that brought me to kilts. But it was Steve that put the idea of a kilt in my head. Being more traditional I started to do a search on line and that's where I found you. So I became your customer because of Steve.
Sometime in 2010, my wife and I along with some family and friends were going to take an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle. While waiting to go on a tour of the underground city, I spotted your shop and made a comment about getting one. My wife, bless her heart, looked at me and said that it wasn't a good idea. So, I ran as fast as I could into your shop. My eye caught a tuxedo kilt but the wait for it was too long as the ship was due to sail the next morning, so I settle for a black one along with some hose. I still have that kilt and I have added one from my band, a Firefighter one and a U.S. Navy tartan. Thank you for having that shop right there when I needed it. I have a story to tell you about wearing it on the ship but that is for another time.
I appreciate what the Utilikilt has done for serial kilting but it’s personally not my speed. I prefer the casual PV kilt for my less tradition kilt wearing. Great interview Rocky and Team!
Firstly, congrats to Krash for building a successful business. Personally I find utility kilts hilarious, and more suited to a Pride march than work or regular casual wear. However each to their own. As we might say here in the UK 'Only in America'.
Awesome interview! Informative, insightful and fun! Thank you and stay safe! 👍🏻☠️🍀
Love and support your ethics and values!
Great video!
I am looking forward to buying my first utilikilt. I think they are a great innovation and look cool.
I wish that were Utilikilts were sold in the UK. If they were I would buy one. I wear the kilt almost every day and would have a Utilikilt for times when a traditional kilt is not suitable.
I always wanted one of the Tuxedo kilts !!!
I have tons of Utilikilts. I wear those more than my traditional kilts cuz of the pockets and they are a more dressed down look
I have both trad kilts and utility kilts both. I love my utility kilts because of all the places I have to put my shit. I love my trad kilts when the moments call for them, but with a typical sporran, I would need an extra bag of some sort to carry all the stuff I carry. So as much as I invest in nice trad kilts, my utility kilts hold a lot of value as well.
One question I wish you would have asked Krash was what he thought of the competitors that have come along since starting, like DNKE, StumpTown, or Verillas?
I just ordered one for my husband for his birthday in August. He will be 86 on that day. I will introduce his new Utilikilt as crotchless shorts that he can wear over anything he wants! Or Not!
Never too "young" to start. And I love how you put it, "crotch-less shorts".
Keep Kilting
i had never seen one but a co-worker told me about utilikilts brand in probably '07. I immediately wanted one. the only model I've ever bought is the workman's and I've had several of those. I definitely want a solid color leather. I've had almost nothing but compliments and positive reactions regarding it from both women and men. the only one who has ever given me any grief over it is my brother and I think he's just joking. lol
Are you planning on interviewing other owners of other kilt companies like Sport Kilt or UT Kilts?
They're not my style but I can appreciate his hustle. I like tradition moreso than bucking tradition. He's got a great product though!
Bro needs a more comfortable chair😁 great American story.
Why not both?!!
Rocky, was one of his utility kilts you own entry-level kilt into your addiction and inspiration to start your own company?
I actually had an Amerikilt as one of my first solids with pockets. Later, I bought a Utilikilt and the quality was far superior. I have owned 5 or 6 UKs over the past 20 years.
But I bought the UKs after the company was already up and running.
Rocky, my 1st UK was an AmeriKilt also, and I agree, the quality of Utilikilt is a lot better.
I have a utilikilt that's so old that it has a zipper fly.
I've been wearing utility kilts for about 9 years. I've only had compliments, mostly from women!
Men have through out history have worn skirts and other garments that we now considered women’s clothes; yet, America has stigmatized people into thinking there are clear defined lines that either sex should wear and not wear. I hate it and at 41 years old I refuse to live by such a rigid standard. To a certain degree, I now wear clothes that are comfortable to what my body needs based on temperature, range and movement. These aspects just do not fit men’s shorts and I am not back at wearing men shorts ever again.