Collector's Closet: Charlie Kratus

If you catch Charlie Kratus walking around the UCLA campus, chances are you’ll see him in a Spooner – and he’s proud to say he may have the largest collection on campus.

With over 20 shirts in his closet and another batch at his family’s home in San Francisco, Charlie is proud to be a 3rd generation Spooner collector.

A family with great taste and style

Charlie’s grandfather, Frank Brady, discovered Reyn Spooner on a trip to Maui in the late 1970s and has been a fan ever since. Our Aloha shirts became his grandfather’s signature, and when his daughter (Charlie’s mother) was attending the University of Michigan, she gifted one to her then-boyfriend, Charlie’s father, Patrick Kratus.

Patrick was instantly hooked and became a Spooner fan, known for wearing our Aloha shirts on campus. His dad now owns over 40 Spooners, and he and Charlie will often accidentally wear the same Aloha shirt.

Charlie carries on the family tradition and his Spooner collection began long before he could dress himself. Thumbing through family albums, there are photos dating back to Charlie as a toddler all the way through his teenage years sporting our classic Lahaina Sailor print.

For Charlie, wearing a Spooner is an easy decision. He loves the comfort, how they look, the easy care, and most of all how the colors and prints are happy and help spread joy and positivity in the world.

While his favorite print is our classic Lahaina Sailor, he is also a big fan of our annual Summer Commemorative prints (which he buys every year), our iconic 50th State Flower, and surfing and nautical prints.

Good Morning, UCLA!

Charlie’s desire to bring joy into people’s lives led him to his side project at school, Good Morning, UCLA!

@goodmorningUCLA is a positive and upbeat social media account that Charlie started on Instagram and TikTok as a way to bring a bit of fun to a sometimes stressful academic campus.

The surprising popularity has not only brightened people’s day but has also led to exciting opportunities for Charlie, who will now be on the sideline for all the UCLA football home games, bringing positive energy to the team and creating fun videos.

@goodmorningUCLA is an uplifting social media account that Charlie launched on Instagram and TikTok as a way to bring some lighthearted energy into the sometimes stressful campus life.

The account’s unexpected popularity hasn’t just lifted spirits — it’s also opened exciting doors for Charlie. Now, you’ll find him on the sidelines at every UCLA football home game, energizing the team and capturing lively moments on video.

Tune in and see him in his Game Day Spooner on Saturday 9/28 against the University of Oregon

Follow Charlie @goodmorningUCLA