The Source

IN LOVING MEMORY

JAN KOWALEWSKI 1920 - 2009

On May 14, Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green sent a letter to every employee in the company announcing the passing of one of the great Roots pioneers. Given the important role that Jan Kowalewski played in the early development of the business, we are reproducing the tribute here.

 

Dear Roots Staff,

 

With much sadness, we would like to inform you that one of the greatest contributors to the early success of Roots passed away yesterday. On the eve of his 89th birthday, Jan Kowalewski died peacefully in Newmarket, Ontario in the presence of four of his sons, Karl, Henry, John and Walter.

    

    Jan was a master cobbler, father of six boys, grandfather of 15 children, great-grandfather of two, and the husband of Josefa for 64 years.

    

    We first met Jan in December 1972 as we were looking to start Roots with an original line of natural footwear. That meeting would prove to be one of the most fortuitous moments in the history of this business. He made the first pair of Roots shoes and, until his retirement in 1985, played a critical role in the success of Roots during its first 12 years. But Jan’s contribution to Roots has never really ended and continues to this day by way of two of his – sons Karl and Henry – who are important players in the success of Roots leather goods with which they’ve been involved since 1973.

    

    When Jan made the first pair of Roots shoes 36 years ago, he was not just making another product. He was upholding a family tradition of generations of skilled craftsmanship.

 

    We will always remember Jan as one of the original key members of the Roots team and his positive influence on us and the business.

 

    We send Karl and Henry and the rest of the Kowalewski family our heartfelt condolences on the loss of such a fine man – and a true friend of Roots.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michael and Don

 

SEEING THE LIGHT

Going dark to fight global warming during Earth Hour

At 8 o’clock on a Saturday evening in March, things suddenly went darker than usual in many places around the world (including at Roots). Millions of lights dimmed as part of Earth Hour, a collective action against global warming.

    As an eco-responsible company, Roots again supported Earth Hour this year. It turned off all non-essential lighting at retail stores, as well as closing ecommerce activities and turning off all non-emergency lighting in the warehouses.

THE ROOTS TOP 10

A guide to the sounds of Roots for June

1. Father & Friends, Alain Clark

2. Live High, Jason Mraz

3. Duke Of Earl, Gene Chandler

4. Street Player, Chicago

5. Ok, It’s Alright With Me, Eric Hutchinson

6. Drive My Soul, Lights

7. Peace & Love, Mishka

8. Awe Struck, B. Reith

9. Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest

10. For Beginners, M. Ward

 -Compiled by Davin Bujalski

MUSICAL ROOTS

This month, we spotlight Dutch soul singer Alain Clark

Davin, you have to find this song! It’s a great song. You have to find it and get it on Roots Radio. We have to do something with this guy. Find out who he is.”

 

    That was a phone call I got one early morning a few weeks ago from Michael Budman. He had just flown back from Italy, where he had seen a music video that had made a strong impression on him. It was a duet, sung by a son to his father and in return by a father to his son. The song, about love and appreciation, had just debuted in Europe that weekend. Michael was on to something.

 

    I ended up finding the song on MTV Italy. Entitled “Father & Friend,” it is a spirited and emotional ballad in which Dutch soul singer Alain Clark duets with his father Dane, himself a veteran of many a covers band, having played classics from the likes of Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and James Brown.

 

    “I’m sure my dad didn’t think he’d start a whole new career at 61,” Alain said recently. “He’s not looking to as he still has his job as an engineer for KLM airlines. I bet he didn’t think he’d be playing in front of 35,000 people.”

 

    The single’s success has proven to be a particularly proud moment for Alain’s mother. “It’s her two guys on stage together, doing their thing,” he adds.

 

    The song has found great success overseas and in Canada and can be found on Alain’s latest album Live It Out. It can also be found on roots.com as part of a tribute to fathers everywhere in the lead-up to Fathers Day on June 21.

 

    Inspired in part by the song, Roots has introduced a new collection of leather bags appropriately called the Father and Friend Collection. Visit roots.com to purchase any of the special new bags for that special father or friend, and also to watch, listen to and purchase the latest from Alain Clark.

 

    With a sound firmly steeped in Motown’s best traditions and a hint of classic Sixties soul, it’s understandable why Clark caught Michael’s attention. He was crowned the hottest new artist from the Netherlands in 2008. It was also the year in which he was a mainstay of the Top 10 in his homeland of Holland. He progressed from being an unknown support act, opening shows for Amy Winehouse to becoming an arena-filling star in his own right and collected two of the Netherlands’ most prestigious musical honours in the process.

 

    “It’s a very autobiographical record,” says Clark. “There’s love and relationships, attempts at bettering the world and an ode to my dad. Fractions of a young man’s life put into 12 songs.” 

 

- Davin Bujalski

 

 

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

A guide to the seven main types of Roots sweats

Basic Fleece

Features: Light sueding for added softness; garment washed to prevent shrinkage.

 

Products:  Roots Basic Sweats (Hoodies and sweatpants)

 

60/40Cotton/Poly Fleece

Features: Heavily sueded for supreme softness; heavy enzyme-silicone wash for a broken in vintage feeling; inside of the fabric has an identifiable “pilled” look.

 

Products: Women’s core fashion sweats such as the Roots Original Crop and the Capri Hoody.

 

Salt and Pepper Fleece 

Features: A unique blend and special knitting process gives this fleece it’s identifiable “pebbled” appearance. New innovations include Black Pepper Fleece and coloured Salt and Pepper fleece. 

 

Products: Men’s and women’s basic sweats, and core fashion sweats

 

Bonded Fleece 

Features: Extra warm, surface is sueded for added softness and a velvety feeling

 

Products: Scuba Hoody

 

Monterey Light Weight Fleece 

Features: Light and silky with good drape; Garment enzyme wash for a broken in vintage finish.

 

Products: Monterey Hoody and Roots Original Crop

 

Summerside Fleece

Features: Better retention; added comfort

 

Products: Summerside Kanga hoody, Varsity Cut-off

 

Lightweight Stretch French Terry

Features: Ultra soft and lightweight

 

Products: Denman Short, Riley Hooded Wrap

 

ROOTS AT THE GREEN LIVING SHOW

Making its presence felt at eco-friendly consumer exhibition in Toronto

In late April, for the third consecutive year, Roots participated in the annual Green Living Show in Toronto.

 

    For three days, at a centrally located booth in the Direct Energy Centre, Roots employees showcased the latest green products and designs and spoke to visitors about the company’s ongoing involvement in environmental and community-related initiatives. To that end, they also handed out informational pamphlets on Roots actions in those areas. Roots sold eco-friendly clothing, accessories, skincare and hair care products, along with other organic items.

 

    This year’s booth, designed by Pauline Landriault, Director of Planning and Development, was built from reclaimed cedar wood. The frames and tables were made from bamboo and all the fixtures will be now used in various Roots stores.

 

    Launched in 2006, the Green Living Show is Toronto’s largest consumer exhibition dedicated to all things “green” – products, tips and food. This year, it hosted approximately 400 exhibitors and attracted more than 20,000 visitors.

THE MAKING OF A GOOD SWEAT

More than meets the eye when it comes to Roots fleece

This year, more than a quarter-century after they were first introduced to customers in the early 1980s, Roots fleece sweatshirts are proving more popular and more relevant than ever. While fleece has long been a quintessential Roots product, most people don’t realize there are seven varieties of fleece now available at Roots (including three introduced in 2009) with more on the way.

 

    “The people at Roots have always wanted to make sure that their sweats are the most durable, the longest-lasting, the most comfortable and the best looking,” says fleece expert and supplier to Roots, Pete Mathison. “It’s just like cooking – you use only the very best ingredients to make the highest end product. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Needlework and stitching are what turns those high quality ingredients into something satisfying.”

 

    An interesting aspect of Roots fleece is that it’s not relegated to any one season. There are basic cotton/polyester blends that are some of the most popularly used sweat fabrics all year round. Fleece sweats are popularly sold throughout the year at Roots stores, most with seasonal differences. For example, winter sweats are heavier and warmer with bonded fleece. Classic fleece is further lined with a thin layer of micro-fleece for additional warmth – a favourite go-to fabric for most Roots winter wear. Spring/summer sweats are the lightest ones made. 

 

    Reflecting a commitment to the environment, a large proportion of Roots sweats includes organic cotton. And that’s not all. To make a superior product, Roots fabric is a tighter-knit than run-of-the-mill jersey cotton and an enzyme-silicone wash creates a softer feel. The intricate stitching offers superior quality in terms of style and durability while the cuffs of the sleeves are flat-ribbed with lycra so that it retains shape even after numerous wears.

REACHING UP FOR THE SUNSHINE

New spring collection for women off to a great start

Say goodbye to your woolly sweaters and winter jackets and usher in designs from the latest Roots spring collection for women.

    This season, Roots offers lightweight free-flowing fabrics for the day and comfortable versatile overtops for the night. Made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, the Retro Heritage Tee is an ideal top for the warm spring days. The cotton blend tee has a vintage look and feel and is washed down for extra softness.

    Pair the T-shirt with the Mantra Pants for a morning jog or with the French Terry Jacket for a downtown stroll.

    Available in bright teal, dusty rose and white grey, in sizes XS-XL.

    Retail price: $30.

JUMP IN STYLE

Fun and easy one piece for the season

Strike a pose in the soft, eco-friendly Kate Bamboo Jersey Jumpsuit.

    Made of 60% organic cotton and 40% bamboo, this piece is a stunning addition to any outfit.

    Available in phantom (faded black) and fatigue (army green) in sizes XS-L.

    Retail price: $68.

WRAPPED UP FOR COOL SPRING MORNINGS

Spring jackets are all about versatility

Made of 42% organic cotton, 23% cotton and 35% polyester, the Ramona Fleece Jacket is ideal for cool evening walks in the spring or summer.

    Made of soft suede fleece, it is comfortable and lightweight.

    The jacket is versatile, working equally well dressed up or down. The cute wrap-style and modern details give this outfit an urban edge, making it a perfect addition to virtually any outfit. Pair it with some black pants for the office or with jeans to go shopping or to run errands.

    The jacket is now available in black, dark clay and white grey, in sizes XS-XL.

    Retail price: $78.