Photo by Oliver Kish for Apolis
By Shea Parton
Product: USA Project, The Story of Sato Hughes, By Shea Parton
Developing this project we have learned from the people and heritage behind Kanvas by Katin. A generation of southern California surfers considered Nancy and Walter Katin their parents. This family mentality is traced to the Katins never having children of their own and in final years they asked their loyal friend and original seamstress, Sato Hughes, to take over the business. The back story begins in May 1928, Hughes was born in Kawasaki, Japan. As one of eight siblings her farmer father and loving mother instilled the importance of travel and the value of discipline as Sato learned how to sew at a local dress shop. In 1958, after one of her many trips across the Pacific, Hughes became rooted in the gold coast of California’s Huntington Beach. In 1960 Sato became one of the first employees as the Katins opened their flagship surf shop, still standing today - 16250 Pacific Coast Highway. Quickly Sato caught Nancy’s eye with an irregular gift of producing flawless custom swim trunks at a rapid pace, 13 a day. Spending time with Sato you can’t help but notice her warm smile and artisan approach that Nancy entrusted with Katin’s future. The process of connecting their rich heritage to our modern market has been a privilege. A friendship with Sato has allowed us to highlight a story of America’s vast opportunity that recognizes and rewards hard work and excellence. Come by Katin’s shop on Pacific Coast Highway and meet Sato for yourself. She will probably be too busy to talk or your words will be too quiet for her to hear. But a few minutes of watching her work will inspire a timeless appreciation for craftsmanship - never to go out of style.
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