"Turtles have longevity. They carry their home on their back, and they stick their neck out to move forward,” LAYOP founder Andre Thomas says. “Then they make progress.”
That explains the chilled-out, green turtle emblazoned on the clothing brand’s T-shirts. The acronym, which stands for Live at Your Own Pace, is the driving force behind the Vegas-based lifestyle company, which opened its doors last September at Downtown Container Park. Just like their turtle mascot, Thomas and co-owner JimDre Westbrook are laid-back but inspiring, dedicated to motivating others through simple, clean designs.
“We always did things at our own pace,” Westbrook says. Known as the “Worth the Wait Guy,” Westbrook isn’t just co-owner of a clothing store. He’s a motivational speaker and a life coach. The pair’s driven demeanor has been woven into the brand’s very fabric.
“It’s really about the message,” Thomas says. “Pace is a movement. When you find your pace, you’ll know you found it, because you’ll love it. That’s what moves you.”
With a minimalist aesthetic similar to American Apparel’s, LAYOP stocks basics like crew necks, raglans, graphic tees and hoodies in an assortment of colors. Best-sellers include screen-printed tees featuring Eazy-E, Richard Pryor and Jackie Robinson, three icons who definitely lived at their own speed.
“We’re not telling people to go fast, we’re not telling people to go slow,” Thomas says. “But find your pace and embrace it unapologetically. As long as you’re moving forward, that’s the inspiration.” LAYOP at Downtown Container Park, layop.com.