Raised by a creatively nurturing family of artists and entrepreneurs, Paige Mycoskie took to becoming a Jill-of-all-trades from an early age. Influenced by days spent in her grandmother’s loft crafting with an endless variety of mediums, Mycoskie quickly realized the intangible benefits of living a creatively expressive lifestyle. “Creativity comes from feeling like you have no limits, and without restrictions you can evolve in a lot of different ways.” Upon realizing the raw potential for creating timeless clothing, Mycoskie moved her four-member team from her Venice garage into the space Aviator Nation currently occupies on Venice’s Abbot Kinney, where she intended to sell her clothes purely to make rent.

WITH A LITTLE VIBRANT PAINT, A RECORD PLAYER AND A CUSTOMIZED PINGPONG TABLE, THE SPACE QUICKLY WENT FROM A SMALL-TIME WORKSHOP TO A COMMUNITY OASIS FOR ALL AGES, PLAYING SURF VIDEOS TO COMPLEMENT THE ENDLESS-SUMMER TONE.

“People could walk into the brand and see where the inspiration was coming from,” Mycoskie said. Now, more than just a brand, Aviator Nation and its owner have quite literally become part of the fabric that makes up Venice, a rare community knitted together by its long-board-loving, summer-drenched locals and their “happy clothes” provided by its attire hero. At heart, local Venetians share a common thread, so to speak, of like-minded positive energy that effortlessly connects with Mycoskie and her lively, dream-catcher spirit. “I’ve realized if you let things happen naturally, you’re more likely to find happiness.”