Hi Kyle, where are you and how are you? 

I’m doing well thank you. Currently I'm in Boulder Colorado in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where I’ve been now for the last three years. 

You created the Instagram page @gramparents some time ago now, are you able to tell us about the page, what birthed it, and what you think makes old people so stylish? 

I’m not quite sure what exactly birthed the idea, but I was so intrigued by the everyday people in my neighborhood and throughout the city of New York that were apart of my daily life, that I started documenting them long before the Gramparents page even existed.  

I don’t know if it’s the style specifically that I was drawn to, or if I was just happy to see the older generations going about living simply in the fastest paced city in the world. To me, it’s simplicity that’s stylish and the way something is being worn and knowing when you are over styling something. Most members of the older community aren’t necessarily styling themselves but they definitely keep it simple.   

Have you ever had any interesting interactions with people you’ve photographed for the @gramparents account? 

Yeah, interesting interactions with people are what makes the world go round.  I was out riding my old mountain bike around town and ran into an older gentleman named Chris riding on the same street, he was on a vintage Fat Chance mountain bike.  

We were like kindred spirits, complimenting each other on the other persons bike and I may have snuck a few snaps of him. We ended up exchanging emails and I meet Chris at least once a month for coffee now. Those kind of interactions happen all the time for me and I really enjoy them. 

What do you think you’ll be wearing when you’re of an age that could see you appearing on @gramparents yourself?  

Exactly what I wear today I'm sure. Timeless garments will never let you down and if they are made well you will have them forever. I have five or six white t-shirts that have been in my rotation for almost ten years and they are still going strong.  

From your Instagram it’s easy to see that you’re an avid enjoyer of the outdoors and specifically bikes, what do you love most about being outside and riding your bike?  

It’s the same feeling you get when you were a kid and learned how to ride a bike. It was like unlocking a new level of exploration. I wanted to be outside for as long as possible growing up. I would ask to eat my meals outside no matter the weather, I’m even outside typing the answers to these questions.  

Having a bike just accentuated that love for the outdoors and gave me a sense of independence at a young age.  I still get that same feeling every time I roll one of my bikes down the driveway. Everything is happening outside and I want to be out there to experience all of it.  

You’ve mentioned to us that you moved to Colorado semi-recently, how’re you finding this compared to the buzz of NYC?  

I’ve never had better sleep in my life haha. New York has no off switch and I enjoyed that for the time I was there, but now I fall asleep to the sound of crickets at night and the birds singing in the morning and I am absolutely happy with that.  

I do miss a bodega sandwich a lot, and I miss the food, art and culture everyday, but you really don’t have the ability to maneuver around those things in NY if you don’t have the energy to, it’s just constantly surrounding you. Being away from it makes me love and appreciate those days more and the visits are that much more special.  

 After stalking your Instagram account, I saw a post of you eating a scotch egg, so this means you’ve been to the UK. Other than scotch eggs what did you like about our little island?  

I’ve been lucky enough to make a handful of great connections with some amazing individuals in the UK over the years and I cherish those relationships. Those scotch eggs are great but I have to say coming from the States, the bad wrap the food gets in London specifically I don’t find to be true. Some of my most memorable meals have been on my UK visits. Besides the food, Brit culture, art, music and your classic sensible fashion I've always been fond of.  

How big of an influence would you say the outdoors and outdoor activities have on your own personal style? Do you wear functional garments to make your life easier, if so, can you provide some examples?  

A huge influence for sure. For someone that is outside as much as I am, I'm always prepared for anything. 

The trunk of my car usually has a stash of kit ready for whatever I find myself getting into, expected or unexpected. Whether it’s a waterproof jacket for a rainstorm, or swimming trunks ready for a cold plunge.  Anything can happen, so you have to be ready for anything. Especially when riding bikes here in Colorado, you always need to pack a few extra layers for the brisk descent back to town in the fall months.  

I guess it comes with the territory of setting up @gramparents but another thing that’s easy to see from your Instagram is your love for old stuff - old cars, old adverts, old Patagonia fleeces. What do you think the allure is about old stuff specifically - is stuff in the modern day just not as good?  

I think I'm just really attached to the items that I grew up with or wanted to have when I was a kid in the 90s and early 2000s. There’s a level of nostalgia attached to my love for well-made functional objects that really continue to be a huge influence to me.  

At the time these things were new to me and defined the era I grew up in and I don’t really see a need to replace something that still does the job it was designed to do, and looks better than any object designed today, especially after a few wears. Some people out there have the same respect for these things and are making some great product today, from bikes to clothing and I really appreciate that. 

Alright now we want to hear about some of your old stuff, starting off could you tell us about a T-shirt you’re sentimental about, and why that is? 

Going back to those old t-shirts I mentioned earlier. I spent a hand full of years helping the early development of Adsum, giving a lot of input into the design process and the way things fit - we designed those tees to fit perfect and I still wear them to this day. But one of my favorite vintage t-shirts is from Jim Morris Tees. Jim has been printing nature and environmental themed tees in Colorado since the 70s and he has one with a mountain goat on it riding a mountain bike with the message “Have an out of car experience” written on it. 

I don’t usually wear many tees with large graphics but that one is an exception.  

Jacket? 

Probably my neon yellow Patagonia down sweater. I got it from Costco almost 15 years ago, back when Costco used to sell Nikes and Patagonia and I just replaced the zippers last year when they broke. Originally it had tonal neon zippers but I decided to go with a contrasting black and I think it really gives the jacket new life. 

Back in February I was in The Bay Area and my friend Landon gave a vintage Patagonia Puff Ball that was too big for him and I think I've been wearing every day since. Gotta love a good hand me down.  

Hat? 

Hats are sensitive subject for me. It’s really hard to find a good, well made hat that fits well. To add to that I’ve got a massive head. My absolute favorites though are vintage Patagonia Spoonbill caps, they just fit perfect.  

Also Paa made one of the best long bill caps ever. And as far as people still making a good cap, there’s a guy in Los Angeles that has a brand called ‘Manager In Training.’ You’re welcome.  

Bike? 

If you’re a fan of Seinfeld like me, it’s the exact bike that hung in the hallway of Jerry’ s apartment in the first few seasons of the show. It’s maybe the most famous bike in television history and I feel very luck to own it and have lots of fun when I ride it. I have never had the opportunity or the ability to purchase a new modern bike but until that day comes, my old bikes do the job just fine. 

Sleeping bag? 

I think I still use an old flannel lined Coleman sleeping bag from the 90s haha. New technical outdoor gear is extremely expensive, and unless you are getting into some wild weather I think some off brand or old camping gear works fine and you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to have a great experience.  

Bag? 

For a back pack I have a vintage 30L Arc’teryx Bora that I take on most outdoor trips. And for travel the Patagonia Black Hole or The North Face Base Camp Duffel.  

Shoes? 

Currently the most worn shoe for outdoor use I have is the Salewa Wildfire. For a casual daily trainer I’ve really been into the Made in England 991v2.  And it’s Vans and Chucks for everything else in between.  

Trousers / Pants? 

If you don’t own an old pair of Levi’s you should. And I can never get enough vintage Ralph Lauren twill chinos. I’m always on the hunt for sz 34. 

Hoodie 

My favorite hoodie is a maroon vintage Camber hoodie I recently picked up in Los Angeles from the gents at 914 Local. It’s hard to top the Camber quality and hefty feeling. I love the brass rivets! 

Perfect thanks for letting us pick your brain, just to finish off what does the future hold for Kyle Kivijarvi, any plans in the pipeline? 

Gramparents is evolving into more fun projects, collaborations as well as new forms of content that I’ve already started rolling out, and you will see before the end of the year is up. As for me I just want to continue being creative, staying active and be outside as much as I can.  

Thanks Kyle nice chatting with you. 

Thank you guys for the opportunity.