Clothing for Friends! The Story Behind Gansett
Discover how Gansett is redefining fashion with creativity, connection, and authenticity. From their high school beginnings to building a thriving brand inspired by a coastal town, learn their story
Jan 22, 2025
3 min read
Style isn’t just about the clothing you wear; it’s about how it makes you feel and connects you to the world around you.
For Gansett founders Jackson Schefsky and Ryan Tam, their journey in the fashion world began with one simple idea: creating something that connects people and reflects shared experiences. The idea of Gansett started during their high school years in Northern California.
“Ryan and I started a clothing brand in high school with the goal of creating something our friends would love to wear,” Schefsky recalls. “Gansett grew out of that same desire—to make clothing that connects people and reflects our shared experiences.”
They weren’t interested in chasing microtrends or following the industry’s idea of what fashion should be. Instead, they wanted to create something that captures the values, personalities, and creativity that surrounded them. Over time, that idea evolved and, years later, became Gansett — a unique brand curated “for artists by artists.”
Their goal is not just to sell clothing but to push towards building something much more meaningful.
The founders share, “Our style blends creativity and authenticity to resonate with individuals who value both quality and expression.”
Each piece carries the essence of Gansett’s values: creativity, connection, and authenticity.
The name “Gansett” holds a deep personal meaning for the founders. It comes from the small coastal town of Amagansett in New York, where the founders have spent many summers. For them, Amagansett is much more than just a place—it is a vault of memories, a fountain of inspiration, and a symbol of creativity. Schefsky and Tam explain that they “wanted the name to reflect that sense of connection and creativity.”
The town’s laid-back energy and artistic charm serve as a foundation for Gansett, and that same vibe is infused into every piece of clothing the brand creates.
Like any new brand in the ever-changing fashion industry, Gansett has faced its fair share of challenges. One of their biggest hurdles has been finding the balance between high-quality products while keeping prices accessible.
Gansett prides itself on good quality streetwear, including hoodies, t-shirts, and more.
“We want our clothes to feel accessible while maintaining the premium feel that our customers value,” shares Schefsky. Despite the challenges, Gansett is dedicated to its vision of quality.
From the very beginning, Gansett’s growth has been driven by its community. The founders started by growing the brand organically.
“We started by growing through word of mouth and hosting events where we could connect with people and showcase our brand. Now, we’re leveraging Instagram and nostalgic video content to reach an even wider audience,” the founders recall.
These early efforts established a loyal customer base, but the brand’s reach stretched even further thanks to social media.
“Instagram helps us share nostalgic visuals and connect with our audience, and we’ve recently started running ads on Meta platforms to expand our reach,” adds Tam.
This blend of creative media and strategic marketing has helped Gansett build a strong online community.
The contributors at Gansett share the most rewarding part of launching the brand, saying, “Seeing our friends and community embrace the brand and watching people connect with our vision and proudly wear Gansett is incredibly fulfilling.”
Gansett is more than just a clothing brand; it’s a story of creativity, connection, and community.
As they look ahead, the founders of Gansett are excited to continue sharing their journey—one piece of clothing and one connection at a time.
Gansett Instagram