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Mermaid Beach to LA.
Images by @duncanm // video by Sam Brumby
Perhaps one of the most fruitful relationships in modern surf, Billabong and Otis Carey have once again connected for a collaborative range that marries the surfer-artist and Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man’s artistic talents with Billabong’s unwavering commitment to adventure and quality. And, like their other work together, this is more than just a collection of clothing; it’s a journey into Otis’ identity as a First Nations man.
To celebrate the collection, Otis, his son Lenny, fellow team surfer Bodhi Simon and filmer Sam Brumby drove to Desert Country in the Northern Territory, shooting the clothing during warm days and under starry nights. The resulting imagery and video are nothing short of amazing, with the range amplified by the raw beauty and shifting colours of the backdrop.
“So that was my first time in Alice Springs, I did not expect to see such beauty,” Otis says. “The thing that really captured my eye and my heart was how the light changed throughout the day. You’re in the same space, but it’s a new place every few hours and by sunset it felt like we were on Mars. It was beautiful. And watching my son see the red earth for the first time, seeing his eyes light up going, ‘whoa dad look at the colour,’ that was really special. It felt like we were right in the heart of Mother Earth and that energy really informed the range.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdF0AeI7-Y
A recurring motif throughout the drop is a spiralling pattern that anyone who’s seen Otis’ art will be familiar with. Gaagal (ocean) is printed across hoodies, sweaters, boardshorts and beanies in the range, which covers men’s, women’s and youth styles.
“For this range especially, the Gaagal print feels deeply personal,” Otis says. `“When I paint that word, I’m essentially painting a portrait of myself. That’s why this collection is one of the most special and closest to my heart — people are wearing my portraits.”
With that chill finally hitting the air, and winter surf trips with long nights by the fire awaiting, there’s no better time to restock the wardrobe, and no better range to do it with.
