His mantra: classic is simple and simple is classic.

Growing up, Joey Rodolfo was influenced by his uncle, a music composer who encouraged Joey to be a drummer.  Joey thought he might become a musician, but he also loved drawing and architecture.  At a young age, he adopted the philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright, “form follows function.”  It was this philosophy that inspired Joey to build architectural tree houses.

In third grade his teacher, Mrs. Baffert, was awed by his artwork and strongly encouraged him to develop his artistic talent.  And for that, he did.  In high school Joey was already designing his own tailor-made suits.

Joey’s aunt was in the apparel business and encouraged him to pursue a career in the field.  Under her praise, Joey Rodolfo launched his first collection in Los Angeles.  It was called “Life Guard.”  Joey was commissioned to design the first NFL sportswear collection in Japan.  It was this collection that Joey became committed to working architectural details into his designs.

Soon Joey was hired to serve as the head Men’s designer at Catalina Swimwear.  In 1984 he was recruited to become the Men’s Design Director for the new Unionbay Sportswear Company in Seattle.  Only 3 years later, Joey embarked on a path of entrepreneurialism.  He co-founded and aided to the success of several apparel companies such as Bench Company, Cutter & Buck, JR 1879, and Resort Two, a luxury men’s and women’s sportswear company known for outfitting the 2001 Ryder Cup.

At about the middle of his career, Joey traveled to Italy to study renaissance art in addition to design. He rediscovered his inspiration for his mantra: classic is simple and simple always remains classic.

Joey Rodolfo has a particular strategy when it comes to creating pieces.  He designs his garments from the inside out, interior to exterior.

In 2004, Joey was hired to help re-launch Callaway men’s and women’s apparel collections.  Joey partnered with Richard C. Helmstetter, the founder and inventor of the Big Bertha, to create the X-Series apparel.  The collection was introduced globally.

In 2005, Joey was asked by one of his closest friends, Lucio Dalla Gasperina, to join him at Tommy Bahama.  Joey was humbled by the request because he had so much respect for the lifestyle brand the founders had created.

The goal for Joey was to help further propel the brand and extend the modern island lifestyle. Starting with the iconic product in the line – floral print silk camp shirts – Joey developed additional product classifications including wovens, knits, outerwear, sweaters, and bottoms.  Joey Rodolfo has managed to turn Tommy Bahama into a men’s collection lifestyle brand.  Joey served as SVP of Men’s Design for over 10 years and was instrumental in helping to re-position the brand.

The inspiration he found from music and architecture as a young boy cultivated into a passion for infusing colors and creating details to create classic yet simple, sophisticated men’s wear.

Classic is simple.  Simple is classic.