We’re All The Sameunderneath

“Despite our race, religious and political differences, we’re all the same underneath.” As a person of mixed heritage, Ryan Christensen understands intimately the concept that, beyond cultural details- people are people. This philosophy of Christensen’s is the drive behind his eco clothing label Sameunderneath. He teamed up with his wife Amy and their friend Jamal Qutub to launch the label in the late 90′s, while all three of the entrepreneuers were still attending Portland State University. The brand made its debut out of the back of Ryan’s trunk, selling the shirts at school and music venues around town.

Since then, the Samunderneath brand has grown exponentially. The Christensens now sell their expansive line of urban chic ready-to-wear in two of their own stores in Portland, as well as boutiques from Decatur, Georgia to Anchorage, Alaska. The bamboo and cashmere garments are sold internationally as well, as far away as Iceland and Australia. As it turns out, there’s no place on earth that this label’s message doesn’t fit right in.