Hamilton coolly launches casual surf fashion line

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When one has images of a fashion designer, a hard-charging older gentleman such as Calvin Klein or an eccentric diva like Donatella Versace come to mind.But then there's Laird Hamilton, who introduced his Wonderwall collection last week in New York. It's safe to say that most fashion folks don't have the resume of the 44-year-old Hamilton including:-- Surfing some of the largest waves on earth -- some up to 70 feet high -- including the treacherous Teahupo'o break in southeast Tahiti almost eight years ago when any slip off his board would have likely resulted in his death thanks to the razor-shape, shallow-water reef break..-- Becoming the first surfer to complete a 360-degree loop while strapped to his board.-- Helping create numerous crossover board sports such as paddle boarding, kite surfing and jet-ski surfing.-- Appearing as a surfing stunt double in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day'' and the Kevin Costner epic "Waterworld'' as well as acting as the heavy Lance Burkhart in the 1987 surfing cult classic "North Shore.'' Hamilton has also made numerous TV appearances, including the ABC reality series "Fast Stars and Superstars'' as well as surfing documentaries and ESPN features.In short, most of Hamilton's life has been spent on the edge -- and not worrying about how much of your stuff folks at the mall are buying. His dashing blond looks and 6-2, 215-pound chiseled frame landed him as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1996. Add all this up, and you understand why some have dubbed Hamilton, the son of former surfing legend Bill Hamilton, "the epitome of coolness.''Fortunately, Laird might just be slowing down a bit. His wife of 11 years, model and former beach volleyball star Gabrielle Reece, just gave birth to their second child, daughter Brody Jo, this past New Year's Day. "I don't think I feel any differently but I do try to approach things a little differently than I used to,'' Hamilton said. "I have a family and three daughters (including one from his first marriage) and I know I have to be more responsible to them. Before I kind of just went hard at things for myself. I'm not really that way as much.''As for the "epitome of coolness'' label?"That's always been a bit awkward for me. I don't really know how to react to it sometimes,'' Hamilton said. "... In the end, I guess I'm honored and appreciative that people are interested in what I do. As John McEnroe once said, 'Never worry about what they're saying about you. Start worrying when they don't care what you say.'''The coolest thing he's ever done? "Marrying Gabby,'' Hamilton replies without hesitation.With Wonderwall, Hamilton has partnered with the Steve & Barry's discount store designers to create a collection of high quality graphic t-shirts, board shorts, woven shirts, cargo shorts, accessories and more. Among Wonderwall's best features are the price (all items are $9.98 or less) and that a portion of the sales will go toward supporting Talk About Curing Autism, an autism awareness organization."This is an incredible opportunity to share the wonderful people I've met in my life and the great experiences I've enjoyed in my life,'' Hamilton said. "This is my time to give something back to a sport and culture that have been so good to me.''Hamilton does not favor a particular Wonderwall piece, though Reece is partial to a three-button polo type shirt with a flower pattern."I like to call this 'sustainable retail,''' Hamilton said. "I think this is definitely the future (in surfing fashion) ... Guys that live the surf and skate lifestyle want to spend their time tracking the next big swell or finding a new skate park, not worrying about having enough money for T-shirts and shorts."Hamilton still spends at least some time every day in the water, including paddle boarding out the Hudson River near the Statue of Liberty in New York last week."I'm in the water whenever I get the chance -- whether its surfing or whatever,'' Hamilton said.Hamilton is a little puzzled at the current state of surfing, which he thinks puts too much emphasis on the professional circuits rather than the lifestyle."Somehow surfing is always a little hard to grasp for the general public. Can't sum it up in a Sunday afternoon before 50,000 fans at a stadium like the NFL. But for me and a lot of others, it's always had this certain mystique that becomes a way of life. What surfing my lack in numbers of fans it certainly makes up for in enthusiasm.''Spoken like the coolest guy around.(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)