Parra (Hebrew: גפן) is a Spanish, Portuguese, and also Jewish surname, meaning grapevine or trellis, [1] for example, a pergola. It is taken from the word meaning latticework and the vines raised on it.
Dutch artist Parra (1976) is best known for his surreal bird-like characters and distinctive use of saturated colours. His early work explored vibrant hand-drawn letters and humor, in recent years, his work has evolved into gorgeously layered abstract interpretations of his core figures.
Dutch-based skate label By Parra is headed up by the legendary Pieter "Parra" Janssen, an artist, designer, and pro skater from Amsterdam. Evolving from his love of abstract artistry, Janssen’s design flare shone through during the early noughties, when he became an art director and graphic designer for parties and venues in his hometown.
Parra began designing in the early ‘90s, initially as an art director and graphic designer for parties and venues in his home city. This led to his second project, by Parra, which became a wearable outlet for his creativity.
Rich with curved figures and letters roused to life, the clothes of ByParra are known for Parra’s signature abstract artworks and bright colors – which sneakerheads might also recognize from the Dutch’s highly popular sneaker designs like on the Nike Air Max 1 ‘Amsterdam’.
Parra is known to lovers of his illustrations for the themes and motifs which have become unmistakable and distinctive trademarks of his style: flat, highly saturated colors, vibrant typographic hand-drawn letters, and worlds inhabited by hybrid, bizarre, surreal characters.
There is no mistaking a piece of art from Pieter Parra, and that can also be said for By Parra’s apparel offerings. Each apparel item is produced in Portugal by experienced designers and is consistent with Pieter Parra’s vision of romantically bold color blocking and post-pop illustrative styles.