“And I said ‘Constantly in the darkness. Where’s that at?’”

The Pacific Northwest. Or more specifically, the Cascadia Bioregion. That’s where it’s at.

Just before Christmas of 2023, I decided to drive up to Vancouver B.C. There were three people who spoke my language with funny accents whom I wanted to photograph. Colin was one of them. I woke up at the crack of the crack of dawn and hopped on the I-5. I approached the Peace Arch crossing as the sun rose. Here the road changes from I-5 to Highway 99. The signs from miles to metric. Currency changes. Bye bye, Imperial System (Except if you’re weighing or measuring a human being…unless that human being is a newborn…or unless you’re referring to a that human’s measurements on their driver’s license…or if you’re referring to the field one would play Canadian Football on…)

Colin Meredith runs every day. When Colin Meredith says he runs every day, this means every day. Colin Meredith has run every day (minimum 3km) without fail for, after he runs today, 1053 days. Colin Meredith values a routine, and this is why I like Colin Meredith.

I’m not going to use his full name for the whole text, don’t worry.

So anyhow, I walk into Colin Meredith’s studio in Chinatown. For those who have not been to the little area where Gastown ends and Chinatown begins, let’s just say, it’s an experience. Homelessness and drug use in this tiny little zone is unfathomable, especially in a city with such wealth, and often opulence. So it goes.

At the time that I enter Colin’s building, I realize that he is, for the most part, a stranger. We were on a group run in Paris once a few years back, but aside from that, we don’t really know one another. Here goes nothin’.

There is a jar of Adam’s Peanut Butter on the kitchenette counter in the studio, and I find my first talking point. Crisis averted. Colin makes me a coffee and we shoot the breeze for an hour or so. He tells me about his background, where he worked, where he grew up, studied etc. Google it if you’re interested.

We decide to head out for a walk to check out the new Haven store in nearby Railtown. Before we go, Colin whips me up a fresh new beanie. Yes, the man makes me a fleece hat…in record time. This is what Colin does. He makes stuff. He creates garments (and accessories) for his needs. Looks like it might rain? Colin makes a jacket. American stranger visiting for an intrusive photoshoot with winter outdoor exposure? Colin makes a hat. No big deal.

And with this ability comes new and unique objects which suit a need for one person, versus something for the masses. And with this ability comes the interest of onlookers. And with this ability comes commercial potential due to the objects’ unique traits. And with this ability comes the diminishment of free where new objects may need to be created for free time activities. And with this ability comes the diminishment of the hobby’s origin.

The same thing happened with me with my photography. So it goes.

Aside from designing for numerous brands you already know, and recently creating his own eponymous label, Colin is part owner of a new brand you’ll all know about soon.

“Portal” is a project which debuted this summer which was started by Colin, and three other guys: John Roberts, Barrie Bloor, and Patrick Stangbye (who you’ve hopefully seen the Context about already).

Earlier this year, Patrick and I had a call where he presented the brand to me, and the words he used prior to showing me the planned collection were amazing:

“I wish I didn’t need to make this, but no one else has, and I think that it should exist”

(Or something to that effect).

I feel like this quote can also apply to how Colin creates. Not solely for the sake of creating something new, but to create something which should be willed into existence to fill a need.

We are way off track now from how I wanted this story to go, and I’m running out of time so let’s speed it up.

The sun is setting, and Colin needs to get his daily run in, so we lace up some shoes and head out for a dusk 10+ km.

We find 5 dollars (Canadian) on the way.

We dodge tourists and broken crack pipes as we navigate the harbor.

Colin offers me to keep the un-foldable plastic $5 (CAD) bill upon return to his studio.

I say “What the hell do I need that monopoly money for? You keep it!”

I take a photo of him with the bill, leave the apartment, almost step in human shit, and drive back to my country.

In June of 2024 I photograph Colin in Paris for MMGNet in the showroom he has for his own brand as well as for Portal.

(In these photos Colin is 29 years old but is now 30. This is important information.)

Thanks, Colin