1987 Marty Awards Take a Surfing Safari

Dashing topcoats, smartly patterned sweaters and youthful, unconstructed suits were the highlights of a menswear show that preceded the recent Marty Awards, presented by the California Mart to outstanding West Coast menswear retailers.

This year’s honors went to Nordstrom and Newport Surf & Sport. It was the third win in as many years for the Seattle-based chain, but for Paul Heussenstamm, owner of Newport Surf & Sport, it was a first. Waving his award in the air, he shouted: “Keep surfing.”

After the show, Heussenstamm said his business had gone through a number of changes in 11 years. He even stopped carrying surfboards at one point, he recalled. But now that “it’s cool to be a surfer again,” the boards are back, along with “life style” clothing labels such as Quiksilver, Gotcha, Billabong, Stussy and O’Neill. He said it all adds up to “close to $2 million a year” for his 5,000-square-foot store.