Apolis

In 2004, My brothers and I started a brand called Apolis, which translates to "a global citizen." Avid travelers from a young age,
our idea was to create a brand as a vehicle to work with developing economies and their local artisan, to provide social and
economic opportunities throughout the world. It has been challenging, but also extremely rewarding.

Making garments with the best factories in the world is often complex. If you throw in the additional variable of reliance on 3rd world resources, it becomes a humbling experience. In turn, our successes are that much more encouraging.

The journey and the people along the way, have both inspired us and supported us. These stories are the threads that have been woven into Apolis garments.

Our relationship with C.C. Filson Co. started with an unexpected introduction to the CEO Bill Kazaki a year ago. We found that
we shared a commitment to quality and authenticity.In 1897, Seattle's C.C. Filson Co. began producing outerwear for loggers, miners, and outdoorsmen. "Might as well have the best"is the anthem that has guided the brand, and has enabled it to withstand the test of time.

In 2000, three friends started a non-profit organization called Invisible Children and soon after created a film to document the story
of child-soldiers in Africa. Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Lauren Poole have since then focused on community development in
Northern Uganda, including education and trade. Invisible Children contacted us about the opportunity to be involved in their
cotton initiative, which is attempting to revive an industry that once fueled an economy now devastated by the war.

In 2009, we were sent a sample of organic canvas, milled from Uganda cotton. We were in the process of searching for an
accessory that could join modern and classic, and act as a partnership project in our collection. The result was a 3-way
collaboration between Apolis, Filson, and Invisible Children called the "philanthropist Briefcase." Well received, the briefcase has
been able to support three Ugandan farmers' annual yield of cotton. We feel like this is the ultimate form of collaboration where
the efforts provided a relevant opportunity for creating livelihoods and empowering people. We consider this the new frontier of
global partnerships.