Erik Prowell, the industrious and down-to-earth founder and designer of Bridge & Burn clothing, proves that you don’t need much experience in fashion design to create a successful clothing line — you just need ambition, a keen eye, and the willingness to do the job yourself. Born in Bend, Oregon and now based in Portland, Prowell majored in computer science but developed an interest in fashion after co-founding a funny T-shirt business with a friend. Soon he graduated to making more sophisticated men’s and women’s wear inspired by his father and grandfather’s wardrobes and his nature-influenced, Oregonian upbringing. The Bridge & Burn aesthetic emphasizes clean lines, practicality, and unpretentious styles that straddle the line between outdoorsy and urban hipster. For women, the Bridge & Burn grebe dress perfectly melds form and function through its combination of an ultra-feminine A-line skirt with slant pockets. For men, cotton twill shorts and linen button-down shirts feature roomy sleeves and legs and come in classic colors. Being from America’s Northwest, Bridge and Burn would be remiss if it didn’t offer a rain-jacket: Both the McKloskey for men and the Warbler for women are constructed from durable, water-resistant polyester-cotton to keep you dry in style.