“The word stuck because our first product was the artist wallet—we loved the name and how it sounded”
WE COULD SPEND HOURS BROWSING BOOKS, STATIONERY AND COLORFUL DESIGN OBJECTS AT POKETO, WHICH IS BOTH A SHOP AND A BRAND THAT COLLABORATES WITH ARTISTS.
We chatted with Ted Vadakan, who founded the business with his wife, Angie Myung.
What’s the mission of Poketo?
We believe that contemporary art and design can be accessible to a broad audience, not only through the products and brands, but also through events, workshops, travel and food. Our retail store acts as not only a showcase for independent designers and brands, but also a place our community can call home through events, art shows, music shows and workshops of all kinds.
How did the brand come about?
Poketo started with an art show in 2003. We threw a two-day event with original art, music and the launch of our first product, the Poketo Artist Wallet. We collaborated with a bunch of our friends and created the wallet as a way to bring art into everyday life. It was a total hit—the art show was amazing, everyone had a great time and the wallets sold out. We were walking home that night and thought, “We have to do more.” So we collaborated with more artists and did more shows, and Poketo snowballed from there. Soon after, we took the concept of “art for your every day” into fashion, home, work and play. We started online and opened our first retail location in 2012.
What’s the story behind the name Poketo?
Angie’s Korean grandmother pronounced the word pocket “poh-keh-toe.” When we were coming up with names, the word stuck because our first product was the artist wallet—we loved the name and how it sounded.
Why do you think your wallets have been so popular?
They are fun, and something you use every day—there is no better way to carry art around. The artists we work with are both emerging and well established. It’s about the art, and that’s why people love them.
Do you use Poketo wallets as your personal wallets? Which ones do you have?
Yes! I use a wallet that Jesse LeDoux designed for the Poketo x Cartoon Network’s Adventure Timecollaboration. We had artists reinterpret the characters of the show. Adventure Time is one of the most popular animation shows right now—we are huge fans. Angie carries Cole Gerst’s canvas wallet. Both artists are longtime friends of Poketo.
What are your backgrounds?
My background is in film and video. Angie is a graphic designer. We approach our business with a creative point of view.
The products you stock vary greatly, from sleek design objects and books to sweet children’s toys. How do you select what to sell?
Angie takes on the role of creative director (among many other things!) of the business. Part of that is curating an awesome collection of objects and brands that reflect the Poketo aesthetic. The common threads are color, restraint, modernity, utility and fun.
You’ve worked with giants like Nike and Target and popular bands like Weezer and the Postal Service. Can you tell us about one of your favorite collaborations?
We collaborated with Target on a 52-piece capsule collection with more than 20 artists who have been part of our family for years. Seeing the Poketo for Target collection totally sell out across the country—in more than 1,700 stores—was amazing. Everyone loved it, taking in-store pictures and sharing it via social media. It hadn’t been done like this with an independent brand like ours—it was a first. Since then, we’ve had two more capsule collections with great reception.
How has your success influenced or changed the business?
We just do what we love. We tackle new things because we want to. Poketo is always changing and growing naturally, just as we are.
You play an active role in your art community by hosting art shows and workshops. Can you tell us about some of these events?
We host workshops that perk our interest and things we would love to learn. The instructors we invite happen to be friends and some of the best in their field. The classes are at the shop, and it’s an intimate and alternative setting for learning and being creative. We’ve had workshops on lighting design, social media, fermentation, floral arrangement, cocktails, 21st-century calligraphy and hand lettering. It totally activates the store, and we love bringing people together and having a good time.
Do you have any favorite galleries?
Los Angeles has a great lineup of world-class galleries and institutions. We frequent LACMA and MOCA.
What’s daily life in the Arts District like?
The Arts District is a part of the growing Downtown L.A. scene. We’ve been here now for seven years, and we’ve seen it change and are continuing to see its growth. The area has tons of murals, and it’s more relaxed here. You see familiar faces, people walking their dogs and great local businesses that all support each other.
What’s next for the shop?
We just opened a second store at the Line Hotel. It’s by the same developers who worked on NoMad in New York. Its concept brings together a handful of local collaborators: chef Roy Choi, Hollywood bar proprietors the Houston Brothers, designer Sean Knibb and Poketo. We’re honored to be an anchor here in Los Angeles—this is going to be an exciting next step for an awesome retail experience and another place the community will be able to call home.
820 East 3rd Street
3515 Wilshire Boulevard
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