Ozzie Wright Shoots Rainbows Into Fascism, Once Again

Oscar Wright’s made a career out of tearing around at 100mph, splattering paint, blasting few notes on the bass, surfing fast and reckless and often very close to rocks.

In many ways it’s been an exemplary existence, one that’s never strayed Oz too far from his guiding principles of putting a positive spin on everything and not taking it all too seriously. His longstanding mantra, “Shoot Rainbows into Fascism” (presumably a tweak of Woody Guthrie’s “This machine kills fascists”) is a fitting summary of Ozzie’s outlook. “It’s just something I came up with,” Oz tells us when we catch him. “I just think is a good attitude to live by. Just to get out there, be yourself and don’t get stuck in a box working for the man.” Every year it seems there’s a mini Ozzie resurgence; an album, a tour, a part in a movie, and this year’s been no exception, with Oz taking ahold of this here web portal as a guest editor, a new Goons album (wonderfully titled Black Skull Bong), and now a whole Volcom range bearing the fruits of some of Ozzie’s labour. It’s called “Shoot Rainbows” (into fascism!), and let’s leaf through the racks and attempt to dissect the innermost workings of one of surfing’s most unique and cherished characters.

A Perfect Sunday Shirt

You’ll see a lot of leopard heads scattered throughout Ozzie’s most recent range. Ozzie says that he scribbled his first manifestation of the beast in a bar in Rio, overcome by the potent Brazilian climate and culture. “Oh, the cat head?” Ozzie says. “I was in Brazil and I was spray painting a wall at this club and I had jungle fever. So I was just drawing wild cats and shit. That’s where it started. Then I continued to draw those cat heads for a while afterwards.” It’s nice to own things with a bit of a story behind them, and this shirt’s the result of a seamless transition to bar-propping inspiration, to loud (but not overpowering) short sleeve, button-up. If you’re feeling cat crazy, match them with the trunks, hat, all of it. 

“I’ve always been into patches and stuff, and I’m obsessed with sewing at the moment. I’m actually sewing right now. I was going to pretend that I sewed every article of clothing myself.”

Ozzie’s Favourite Jacket

“The bluey grey jacket with the patch is one of my all time favourite jackets,” says Ozzie. “I’ve always been into patches and stuff, and I’m obsessed with sewing at the moment. I’m actually sewing right now. I was going to pretend that I sewed every article of clothing myself. So yeah, all sewed my me, right here in my sweatshop!” It’s no clever marketing ploy that Ozzie was wearing this jacket in nearly all the shots we took of him for his guest editorship. It’s because he doesn’t take it off. And why would you: an interesting shade, flattering cut, and a little patch of Ozzie, right on the heart.

Leopard Trunks 

There’s a lot of signature boardshorts out there, but if you’re being honest, not many you’d wear, let alone purchase. Ozzie’s an exception, and there’s no way you’d every regret investing in a pair of these. Imagine it, in twenty years time you’re still rocking a faded-out pair in tribute to a man who changed surfing for the better, trying to explain to anyone who’ll listen exactly what it was about Oscar Wrong that so captured your imagination. Also love that, if you look closely, every thirty or so leopards has been blacked out, only the whites of the eyes remaining. If you fancy the trunks, similar to the shirt above, there’s plenty in the selection to either complement of wear on their own. 

Socks can be seen on upon the feet of Ozzie’s son, Rocky.

Riot Socks

The sock draw’s a safe space where socks of all colours and designs are free to express themselves without fear of persecution. As long as the shade’s not hideous, anything goes in socks, like this lemon curd pair decorated with the SRIF leopard print (“I love the socks,” Ozzie says. “Been wearing ’em everywhere!”). Wear under your suit to retain a false illusion of your beach-going soul.

“I’ll just say this as a sales point: Once they’re gone; they’re gone. Get them while you can because they’ll be collector’s items one day… Maybe… Maybe not!” Ozzie laughs. 

Grab yourself some 100% genuine Ozzie wearable memorabilia here.