Oaklandish
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing and retail |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Jeff Hull |
| Headquarters | Oakland, California , United States |
Area served | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Products | Clothing, apparel, skateboards |
Oaklandish is a clothing brand and retail store located in Oakland, California, USA. Its emblem incorporates a stylized city seal depicting an oak tree with widespread roots. The brand dedicates 10% of its sales revenue to community nonprofits through the "Oakland Innovators Award" grant initiative. All merchandise is locally screen-printed within Oakland. In 2016, Fortune identified Oaklandish as the 38th fastest-expanding inner-city enterprise nationwide. The company’s operational approach prioritizes local manufacturing and community involvement, reinforcing its presence throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Background
Established in 2000 by Oakland native artist Jeff Hull, Oaklandish originated as a street art and viral marketing effort aimed at promoting awareness of Oakland’s cultural heritage. Early endeavors included a wheat-paste poster campaign, the "Oakland-Love Retrospective" slideshow, the Liberation Drive-In outdoor film series held in parking lots, and the Oakslander Lakeside Gazette zine. These projects sought to integrate cultural expression into overlooked urban environments amid rapid urban transformation.
Between 2003 and 2005, Oaklandish managed an art gallery situated in Jack London Square. Following its closure, the business transitioned to selling merchandise from a customized camper van at various festivals and markets, pioneering a mobile retail concept. Owner Angela Tsay attributes the revitalization of downtown Oakland to the 2009 reopening of the Fox Oakland Theatre, which subsequently enabled the debut of their flagship store in 2011. That same year marked the launch of There There, a clothing collection representing several U.S. cities. In 2012, Oaklandish collaborated with Town Park skate park to produce skateboards. The brand further expanded with store openings in the Dimond district (2013) and Jack London Square (2014).
Oaklandish connects with its audience through community programs, including an annual initiative providing complimentary t-shirts to Oakland Unified School District students who maintain GPAs above 3.5. Additionally, it offers "Dubs Gear," an independent apparel line inspired by the Golden State Warriors. In 2015, the company partnered with Adidas and NBA athlete Damian Lillard to release a limited-edition basketball shoe. The There There collection also includes designs for other prominent cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore.
In 2016, Fortune ranked Oaklandish as the 38th fastest-growing urban business in the United States, emphasizing its innovative use of camper vans for mobile retail. The company reported revenues totaling $3.26 million in 2015. Distinguished patrons include Krazy George Henderson and former Oakland mayor Jean Quan.