Founder Dannys story:
I originally created the Compass in 2004 to represent my band, Rushstreet.
we wanted something that symbolized a sense of direction in life.
Of course the Compass pointed west (we were California bound).
But after the death of my best friend and guitarist, Alexi. I hit the road
on my own to California in search of a new life.
Along my journey, the Compass played a part in my path to survive
my travels from bus stop to bus stop city to city, from San Fran to
Hermosa Beach, CA.
One afternoon, I sat down and sketched out the Compass in my very
tiny apt on Hermosa Ave and decided to created
some T-shirts at a local screen print shop. I made 12 original Compass
Tees and sent them off back home to friends and family in Miami.
To my surprise....
They wanted more.
A dream was born in Hermosa that day.
I bounced back and forth from Miami to Los Angeles for a couple of years. Compass clothing was put on hold. I met my amazing wife started a family and finally felt grounded. Compass clothing once again was my driving force. Through friends and family that are there for me and support me Compass Clothing will be a dream come true. Compass clothing is more then a few designs on some t-shirts. The story of Compass is filled with love, tragedy, strength, will power and endurance and most of all FAITH.
Laurens Story....
I met Danny when I was 21, he was working at a hotel with a friend and he needed a place to stay. He was living in a shoebox what he called an apt on the strand in Hermosa. When your “kitchen” is in your closet and your “stove” is a microwave I don’t know if is call that an apt. LOL My home has always been a place where people have come and stayed when they were down on their luck. I went to pick him up in Hermosa and he seemed nice enough. When I started talking to him I let him know we would be friends for life which he replied “I don’t have friends I meet people when I travel and if I see you again then I’ll say what’s up but then Im on my way.” There was no way we weren’t going to be friends. Living in the South BayI immediately loved his designs! I was going to rock Compass Clothing! I was always there going to be here for him whenever he came back to CA. I fell in love with Compass Clothing not only for the designs but more for the story behind it. Danny went through a tremendous loss but I think he found a new family here in CA. compass clothing for me stands for family, love, faith and Friendship. I am so honored and excited that Danny has asked me help the rebirth of Compass. This is a story that has been on hiatus for almost 5 years. With the stories and experiences that we have all gone through the designs and the stories behind them are going to be amazing.
Monicas Story
My name is Monica Gracia and I met Danny Venegas in the summer of 2006 through a mutual friend. Danny was a ball of energy from the moment I met him. His lust for life was apparent in everything he did, he was truly a jack of all trades. He could make you the best drinks thanks to his bartending skills, he could sing you the prettiest song with his attached to the hip guitar and he could bring to life the most vibrant colors with his artistic drawing abilities. He shared with me his trials, triumphs and adventures in life that ultimately led to the inspiration and creation of compass clothing. Through this clothing line he created pieces that people could relate to, he wanted people to be inspired not just by life but the journey of life itself. He conveyed his lust for life, and his inspiration of friends and family through the designs and colors of his pieces. After all, in life all one needs is people you love and a compass to continue on through life’s adventures.
