OUR STORY
After 10+ Basque festivals and counting, Basco Apparel has become something bigger than we ever imagined. So why does Basco Apparel exist, and what is the mission?
MY LIFE AS A BASQUE-AMERICAN
My name is Grant Woods, and I’m a Basque American who grew up dancing for the Los Banos Basque Club. Dancing with the club gave me a deep appreciation and pride for my heritage at a young age.
My Amatxi and Aitatxi, Julie and Maurice Etcheverry, emigrated from Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry and built a life in Central California, passing down the traditions that shaped who I am today.
Some of my favorite memories came after dance practice, spending time with my Amatxi and gathering with friends and family at Wool Growers Restaurant. It was there that I made lifelong friends, ate incredible food, and grew a strong connection to my culture.
OUR MISSION
Basco Apparel was created to celebrate, preserve, and share Basque heritage with the next generation. The goal is to make high-quality apparel that reflects the pride, traditions, and identity of the Basque community.
Basco Apparel is about honoring where we come from and keeping those traditions visible in everyday life. Each piece is meant to tell a story of family, community, and heritage, and to help keep Basque culture alive for both those who were raised in it and those discovering it for the first time.
MEET BERNARD!
Bernard is our happy-go-lucky mascot and the unofficial roadie for Basco Apparel. If you’re lucky, you might spot him at festivals. He could be dancing, he could be carrying weights, or just hanging around taking it all in. The one thing you won’t catch him doing is the irrintzi, he’s not much of a talker.
If you see Bernard out in the wild, don’t be afraid to grab a photo with him and tag us @basco.apparel on Instagram 📸
