Tracksmith Meeting Descends Into Chaos When Designer Floats Idea of Double-Striped Singlet
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Main image via Depositphotos.com
A meeting this week at the Boston headquarters of running apparel maker Tracksmith “blew up,” Dumb Runner has learned, when a designer shared a sketch of a hypothetical double-striped singlet.
The designer, identified as John Anthony Gillis, 32, presented his mockup near the end of the staff’s regular Monday morning meeting, a source said. The sketch, which he described as “something I’ve been messing around with,” appeared to be a variation on the brand’s Van Cortlandt Singlet, with two diagonal stripes instead of the usual one.
Tracksmith, which describes itself as “an independent running brand” that produces “well-considered and authentic products for training, racing, and rest days,” is known for its conservative, understated designs.
“Why don’t we just add a third stripe, while we’re at it?”
The response to Gillis’ sketch was immediate and brutal, according to the source, with a general uproar and at least one staffer reacting with profanity.
“What the fuck is that?” the staffer reportedly shouted, leaping up from his chair. “Two stripes?”
“Why don’t we just add a third stripe, while we’re at it?” the staffer added sarcastically, before being led away. “Oh, I know—instead of Pearl Blue, let’s just use Robin’s Egg Blue!”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” he screamed from the next room.
The source said that Gillis, whom Tracksmith hired just two months ago, appeared shaken by the response and within an hour was meeting with the company’s director of human resources to decide “next steps.”
Reached for comment, a Tracksmith spokesperson told Dumb Runner that the company is currently hiring an apparel designer.
