Meet Nate and Leslie Axvig of Aktiv

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate and Leslie Axvig.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Nate and Leslie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Our shopkeepers, Leslie and Nate, met when she interviewed him for a job as an attorney. Needless to say, he got the job and through various twists and turns they elevated their relationship while leaving the law behind.

With their two children in tow, Leslie and Nate relocated to Oslo, Norway in July 2016 and set out to discover Scandinavia and pockets of continental Europe. Through their journeys, they fell in love with Nordic style and new-to-them fashion companies. Thirteen months and many shopping excursions later, they returned home to Denver, Colorado. After struggling to find their beloved Scandinavian clothing brands in the USA, an idea was hatched… Leslie and Nate could bring these fabulous clothes to the United States. In 2018, Aktiv was born.

Here on aktivstyle.com, our shopkeepers have sourced the very best of Scandinavian activewear. Guided by a thoughtful buying philosophy, they are focused, not only on quality and style but on sustainability and responsibility.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Aktiv – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sometimes you have a dream and you just go for it. We are a family of four that moved from Denver and lived in Oslo, Norway for a little over a year while the two adults attended a graduate program at the Universitet i Oslo. We left our home in Denver, Colorado, took our two kids out of their excellent elementary school, and enrolled them in local schools in Oslo. Chasing our dream could not have been better.

We spent every weekend exploring either Norway or other parts Europe. Whether hiking in the forests of Norway, cross-country skiing across the frozen lake of Sognsvann or walking the cobblestones of old cities, we embraced the adventures found in the unknown. Without a car, we navigated Oslo and the other cities we visited via their fantastic public transportation systems or, sometimes, did the Norwegian thing and simply walked. Once we settled into our life in Scandinavia, we started to pay attention to the form and fashion of living. The muted blues, grays, greens, and pops of red, were the colors of Scandinavia, the storied simplicity and practicality of design were both intangible and yet integral to life.

Throughout Scandinavia, there is a saying: there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. While the weather we encountered wasn’t the 300 days of sun a year we expect in Colorado, the clothing we found was excellent. When we returned we realized that much of the clothing we’d fallen in love with was unavailable in the United States, and an idea was born. How about bringing the Scandi style we’d grown to love to the USA? As we gave this more and more thought, we decided to be more specific. We would bring a carefully curated line of Scandinavian-designed, mostly European-made clothing to the attention of American customers. Our primary focus would be on clothing that was conducive to exertion, exploration, and relaxation. The brands we would focus on would be out-of-the-ordinary, the makers would be focused on responsibility, durability, quality, and always—style. And thus, Aktiv was born.

Aktiv is your view into different aspects of Scandinavia. You will find Scandinavian clothes from Denmark, Iceland (soon we hope!), Norway and Sweden that are above all, excellent quality, beautifully designed, responsibly produced, and durable. This is not disposable clothing, it is warmth or coziness, sometimes fitted, sometimes relaxed, but always there for when you need to Exert.Explore.Exhale.™

Has it been a smooth road?
There was a steep learning curve since we hadn’t run an online store before. Creating a smart marketing plan is a challenge. We have used a varied approach to get our company’s name out there and educate the American public on the qualities of our Scandinavian partners. The easiest way to say something is social media, but there are so many companies trying to get the attention of the consumer that you can get drowned out. However, when people actually order and experience the quality of natural fibers like wool, organic cotton, and fabrics made with the most responsible practices out there, they definitely come back for more!

In addition, since the price point for well-made Scandinavian clothing tends to be high, there can be some sticker shock. But, we are not aiming for fast fashion; instead, we want sustainable, minimalist inspired garments that you intend to wear for years, and that will last. Our view is if you buy a well made wool sweater that lasts you for eight years for $200 instead of buying a less sturdy sweater for $80 every other year, you come out ahead.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love a lot about Denver but if we had to pick one thing it would be how livable it is. From a weather perspective, the summers can be hot but not humid, which means you simply have to find some shade. Winters are far from harsh and you get to experience snow without the morale-crushing knowledge that the cold season will be endless. In addition, the amenities of our city are top-notch. Amazing restaurants, an educated populace and winning sports teams are fantastic too. As for what we like the least – the increased cost of living here. If we were young and broke, we don’t know how we could possibly live here!

Contact Info:

• Website: aktivstyle.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aktivstyleusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aktiv5280/

Image Credit:
For the picture of us- www.LauraOrozcoPhotography.com

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.