ROOTS MVP OF THE MONTH
The cachet that special collections add to Roots was again evident last month in Torino with the Olympic apparel for Team USA. David Young had a lot to do with it.
March 2006

Many things set Roots apart from other brands. One of them is special collections. In addition to the great seasonal styles that the Men’s, Women’s and Kids’ Departments create month after month, Roots has long been acclaimed for custom designing apparel connected to major events and teams.

Here are just a few recent examples: The US Olympic team; the Canadian speed skating team; Hockey Canada (Team Canada in affiliation with Wayne Gretzky); the Jamaican bobsled team; Toronto Maple Leafs; the Canadian Six NHL team collection.

It’s not by chance that Roots is so successful in this sports-related area. It’s part of the Roots ethos and culture. It reflects the interests of cofounders Michael Budman and Don Green and their support and celebration of athletes.

These special projects are mutually beneficial for Roots and those to whom the collections are dedicated. They enhance the Roots profile. Fortunately for Roots, there always seems to be another new project on the horizon. Fortunately for Roots, it’s invariably a winning combination. Fortunately for Roots, we have the ideal person tackling each of these distinguished assignments.

Special collections call for special talents, something David Young has in abundance. As Senior Designer, Special Projects, he’s responsible for creating the look of each new special collection.

For a designer, you can’t get a more special assignment than creating the clothes for the US team at the Olympics. You know in advance that what you do will be highly anticipated ahead of the Games and then seen by two billion people around the world watching the events on TV. It’s pretty heady stuff, but David doesn’t let it go to his head.

A lot goes into the preparation of a special collection before it sees the light of day. For David, the first stage includes researching the project for relevant information and sources of inspiration. Studying old graphics, vintage styles and textile samples are all part of his creative process. He also works with Michael and Don, and then prepares his concept boards to present to existing and potential clients. David then works with his team at Roots to ensure the final product hits the stores with the same creativity, quality and integrity it started with.

The biggest challenge David faces is an often-merciless deadline. “The time factor is sometimes brutal but it keeps us sharp,” says David, who takes pride in the fact that almost everything he designs is made in Canada. “Another challenge I face is making sure the product always remains true to the initial vision, and doesn’t get watered down in the process.”

David joined Roots in December 2004 in his current role. Like two other recent MVPs (Rosemary Eisenhut and Pauline Landriault), it was a return engagement for David. He had previously worked at Roots for three years, starting in 1999.

In his earlier incarnation at Roots, he was a graphic designer working for various departments including helping with Olympic-related apparel. In 2002, he left and went to work at Nike’s world headquarters in Oregon, applying his talents to MLB, NHL, NCAA and Olympic basketball uniforms. After returning to Canada in 2004, David did freelance graphic and apparel design for Nike Bauer Hockey for training and retail apparel.

This time around, David finds his work at Roots even more gratifying, due to having greater responsibility while working more closely with Don and Michael. David genuinely loves what he does. “Sometimes when a first sample comes in and it looks awesome, I get really excited,” says David who grew up in Brantford, Ontario and today lives in downtown Toronto. “What really gets me is when I go back home to visit my family and my mom has cut out pictures from the newspaper of people wearing stuff I’ve designed for Roots.”

At the Roots head office, there’s no mistaking David for anyone else thanks to his dapper way of dressing. “David Young is a truly unique person,” says Michael Budman. “His style and manner all reflect an individuality that comes from confidence and conviction. He creates original, irresistible product that is so rare in today’s sea of mediocrity. It’s a pleasure to work with Dave, except for those little quirks in his personality that can sometimes drive you a bit crazy.”

Last month, David savoured one of the most memorable moments in his career when he was in Italy and saw the US Olympic Team enter the stadium in Torino wearing the clothes he designed. “It was really something to be there for that event,” says David, who when asked his age describes himself as young enough to get into trouble, yet old enough to realize it. “Being in Torino for that was magic. I was proud of Roots and our Olympic product. It gave me a great sense of achievement. I really couldn’t have done it without my team.”

David and his team are currently at work on several new initiatives including for Canada Day and the upcoming World Cup. Like the collections he designs, David is special. He brings a lot to the table, and then some.  - R.S.

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