WHO IS RAY 2WICE ABAD?
One decision. That’s all it takes to shift the course of your entire life.
I’ve seen it—again and again—through years spent chasing passions and shaping visions: behind the lens, in the rhythm of music, through the textures of design and fashion. From building brands to curating one of the world’s largest vintage Ben Davis collections, my journey has never been linear—but always intentional.
The truest treasures have been the souls I’ve met along the way. Their stories, like threads, have woven inspiration into my own. And in each chapter, I’ve learned: never stop pursuing the life that calls to you.
They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time? Today.
Ray 2wice circa 1996
Ray 2wice today.
RAY2WICEABAD@GMAIL.COM
650-200-0220
BEN DAVIS VINTAGE COLLECTOR
My parents both drove Impalas in the 70s and 80s and their circles all wore Ben Davis and Derby jackets. I Inherited my first hand-me-downs in the early 90s and I was instantly hooked. In the 90s workwear was ubiquitous with West Coast culture. At that time Ben Davis clothing could be found at department stores like JC Penney and Montgomery Wards but I preferred to shop at the original SF stores like Ariks, Kaplans, Siegels, Acme and Cal Surplus.
My Dad, Ray Sr. circa 1976
VINTAGE HOMECOMING
In accordance with the changing times, most of the San Francisco and bay area retailers that once kept shelves full of Ben Davis gear have closed their doors over the last fifteen years, including San Francisco’s Arik’s, Siegels and Kaplan’s and the East Bay favorite, Pacific Apparel. This mass exodus sent me to the internet to continue my decades long treasure hunt, now focused primarily on vintage pieces from the 1960’s to the1990’s.
With the advent of social media, I discovered that there is a worldwide following of Ben Davis peaking in popularity across the Pacific in Japan. The Japanese affinity for vintage American workwear has led to a reality of an island nation ripe with vintage collectors that have preserved these timeless pieces of history for generations. For the last eight years, I have been hunting all over the world for vintage Ben Davis pieces to bring them back to their motherland of San Francisco for the remnant of local natives who hold this brand near to their heart.
RESUME
