PAUSE LIVE NOW
PAUSE CLOTHING ENCOURAGES
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
New Clothing Line Inspired by Artist’s Recovery From Aneurysm
Los Angeles, California—Little did graphic designer Keith Tamashiro know when he was designing the cover of musician Money Mark’s album “Change is Coming” that the words to that title would have prophetic meaning to his life. Ever since he was in junior high school, Keith loved to draw and was particularly fascinated with logos, designs and typography. This interest compelled him to study graphic design in college and he eventually earned his degree in that field from the prestigious OTIS College of Art and Design. Upon meeting fellow design student Gaby Lopez at OTIS, Keith laid the groundwork for his own company. He co-founded Soap Design Co. with Gaby in 1999 and quickly gained experience working on album covers with top jazz and hip hop artists, including Herbie Hancock, Jurassic 5 and DJ Shadow.
It was while working at Soap Design Co. on January 31, 2006 that Keith suffered from a brain aneurysm and was taken immediately to the hospital where his chance of survival was expected to be minimal. Beating almost insurmountable odds, Keith was able to survive his aneurism, but his physical abilities and memory were severely compromised and his world changed overnight. With months of therapy and rehabilitation and the support of family and friends, he was able to return home. However, Keith had to work diligently to regain the ability to speak and walk, and even though he overcame many challenges in his rehabilitation, Keith was unable to return to work.
Today, with continued therapy and medication, Keith’s condition is stabilized. He currently experiences trouble with his short-term memory, but is looking to improve his condition so that he can accomplish some key goals he set for himself, including marrying his girlfriend, returning to his company, working on web designing and driving a car again. Through his ordeal, Keith kept a positive attitude and found encouragement in his loved ones; strength to fight for his life; and the insight to realize the beauty and power of living each day with meaning. He is thankful for every moment he has to simply be alive.
Even though the aneurysm brought a lot of hardship to Keith’s life, it did have positive impacts on it, as well. One such impact was that Keith was brought closer in his relationship with his brother Dave. From the inspiration of Keith’s experience and the result it had on bringing the brothers closer together, Dave and family friend Mark Hamaguchi formed Pause Clothing. Based on the notion that everyone can benefit when you “pause” and realize the importance of your life and the significance of each moment we live, Dave and Mark are creating a line of graphically designed t-shirts and activewear that will remind us of that idea. They are currently designing art that will be universally uplifting to anyone suffering from roadblocks in their lives. From a portion of proceeds of sales, Pause Clothing is ultimately striving to be able to donate to organizations that improve the conditions of people’s lives, whether recovering and surviving ordeals such as Keith’s or any situation that challenges a person’s life.
At this time, the line is available exclusively through Fly or Die Gallery (Westwood, CA) or emailing us directly at admin@pauselivenow.com.
