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Hi My name is Paul Nazaruk, though for many years the art world knew me as Paul Alva. I am a founder and lead designer here. This is an article about the story of this beautiful brand AWAKEN ART.
Take a warm tea or water and enjoy the read...
The most extraordinary journeys often begin when we least expect them. I never imagined I would be designing clothes. It wasn't planned—it emerged naturally, almost accidentally. But looking back, I can see that every step was guided by something greater than myself. 🔥✨
Despite never thinking of myself as a designer, people have always liked my creative ideas. Over time, I learned that I "have an eye" for design. I've always been engaged in design throughout my various enterprises. There was a period in my life when I spent two years involved in game design in Palo Alto, Silicon Valley. Following that project, I became engaged in a new hotel chain project.
Even though I'm not a trained architect or educated designer, I led a team of designers and architects as co-owner and creative director of the project. This experience built my confidence in guiding creative visions and bringing concepts to life—skills that would later prove invaluable. It was during this time that I truly began to recognize my natural "eye" for design.
I first saw it—the panther with the third eye—during a ceremony. I didn't know what it meant at the time, but it appeared as a guide, a messenger from somewhere beyond ordinary consciousness.
This wasn't a one-time encounter. The panther spirit continued to appear in my dreams, during meditations, making its presence known at pivotal moments. There was something powerful in this connection, something that seemed to be directing me toward a path I couldn't yet fully see.
The spirit of the panther was present during the creation of this brand. It was there, guiding my hands, influencing my decisions, helping me translate vision into reality. Some might find this strange or mystical, but for me, it's simply part of my truth—the unseen forces that have shaped AWAKEN ART from its very beginning.
From 2019 to 2021, I ran an art store, collaborating with artists from around the world. I was immersed in creativity, surrounded by expressions of human imagination and skill. This period was crucial—it trained my eye, refined my aesthetic sense, and connected me with the power of visual expression.
Working with artists taught me that true creativity isn't about following trends or meeting market demands. It's about expressing something authentic and doing it with exceptional quality. This lesson would soon find a new application in an unexpected field.
A few years ago, I purchased a beautiful piece of clothing in the USA. It was a perfect velour tracksuit for both evening gatherings and business meetings, and I felt amazing wearing it.
Then came the pivotal moment—this cherished tracksuit was stolen. The story of how it was stolen is itself interesting. At the time, I was renting a large apartment in the city center with a friend. My friend had picked up a hitchhiker from another city, and when they arrived home, he offered the traveler tea and dinner. Seeing my tracksuit, the hitchhiker decided to take it—and that's how the theft occurred.
After the theft, I was furious. My friend took responsibility and gave me money back, but it wasn't about the money—I couldn't buy the same tracksuit again. I tried everywhere, but the collection was finished and no longer available.
I purchased many different brands of velour and velvet clothing, but nothing was the same. They were either polyester or had a different cut... it just wasn't right.
About two months after the theft, I had an idea: Why not create something even better? Something that would combine the artistic sensibility I had developed with practical, wearable comfort?
After creating my first tracksuit, I started wearing it around town. A friend noticed and asked, "That's a great outfit. Where did you buy it?"
"I made it," I answered.
"Can you make one for me?" he asked.
And that's how I sold my first set. My friend started wearing it, and maybe three days later I received a call from a stranger: "Hey, we don't know each other personally, but I met someone in the city wearing an amazing tracksuit. I met the guy and he gave me your number... I heard you make them. Can you make one for me?" 📞
That's how I sold my second piece. And it continued—spreading from person to person through word of mouth. I had no Instagram, no photos, nothing... but people called and asked about the tracksuits. The organic growth was remarkable and completely unexpected. 💫
Music has always been a source of inspiration for me. There's something about certain compositions that opens channels of creativity and vision.
One artist in particular—Porangui—was playing when I received the vision for creating collections. The rhythms, the harmonies, the emotional texture of his music somehow translated into design concepts and aesthetic directions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXT0wnnSJVw
I even had the opportunity to meet Porangui after one of his concerts. I gifted him a hat and told him how his music had inspired my creations. These connections between different art forms—music and fashion—continue to influence my creative process.
I never previously thought I would design clothes. It wasn't a childhood dream or a calculated career move. It emerged organically, one step naturally leading to the next.
My vision has been consistent from the beginning: sporty elegance with extremely high comfort. I wanted to create clothing that made people feel like a million dollars while being comfortable enough to wear all day. 👑
This taught me an important lesson: when a certain flow appears in your life, don't kill it—allow it to develop. I trust this flow completely, believing that my light knows the path. The universe often has plans for us that are better than anything we could consciously design for ourselves. ✨
There were diversions along the way—hats (which attracted a different type of client), kimonos, and Burning Man collections (an event I've participated in multiple times over the years). Each of these explorations taught me something valuable, even if they sometimes took me away from my core focus.
What remained constant was my commitment to quality. I am a perfectionist by nature. I appreciate well-made, excellent things, and I absolutely cannot stand poor craftsmanship or inferior materials.
This isn't just a business philosophy—it's personal. I personally guarantee the quality of every product. When someone purchases from AWAKEN ART, they're not just buying a garment; they're buying my commitment to excellence.
That commitment is reflected in every piece I create, including:
Each item is crafted with intention, care, and an obsession with detail that defines everything I stand for.
Product development has been a long journey. Creating the perfect tracksuit took approximately 15 prototypes. Each iteration taught me something new about materials, construction, fit, and finish.
I rejected entire batches of fabric that didn't meet my standards. I redesigned elements that weren't working perfectly. I tested and retested until every aspect of the product was exactly right.
Some might call this obsessive. I call it necessary. Because when someone puts on one of my tracksuits, I want them to immediately feel the difference—to understand why quality matters, why details matter, why doing things right matters. 💯
It's been nearly five years since I began this journey, and the growth has been remarkable. Customers return again and again. Their numbers grow, largely through word of mouth—the most genuine form of marketing there is.
I've watched men who purchased AWAKEN ART pieces years ago come back and tell me it was one of the best purchases they ever made. There's no greater validation than seeing something you've created stand the test of time. 🙏
With each year, my understanding of production and quality control deepens. I learn more about creating garments that meet the highest standards. This accumulated knowledge allows me to operate at an exceptionally high level of quality.
The journey of AWAKEN ART is still unfolding. I continue to listen to the panther's guidance, following this path that I never planned but am profoundly grateful for. When you wear the art, you become part of this story—a story about quality, vision, and the unexpected paths that lead us to our true calling. ✨💫
Are you ready for your unique piece? The panther is waiting. 🔥🐆
AWAKEN ART remains my artistic expression, but my creative involvement extends beyond clothing. I'm currently engaged in a project in Koh Phangan where I design boutique-like hotels and premium domes for jungle living.
These projects allow me to apply my design philosophy to different mediums while maintaining the same commitment to quality, artistry, and creating experiences that elevate people's lives.
