It's no quiet conversation that lately if you blur your eyes while scanning a runner's Instagram, things are starting to look eerily similar... Once unique styles of photography and videography have become quintessential presets and templates of the sport. A true north star of any artist or brand is to have the viewer know who is behind the art before you see their signature. In the running world, there is debatably no one more unmistakable and distinguished from the crowd than the art of a man by the name of Monsieur Saturday. Real name Octavio, his illustrations of runner outfits *strictly from the knee down* have become a cultural mainstay amongst the most tapped...
When Bandit was first coming back from a year in hiding as we rebranded and re-oriented our mission from humble sock company in our basement apartment to "Evolve Running" (slightly more ambitious), Octavio was right there with us with his patented illustration...
As we look to come back from a winter hibernation with our upcoming Spring 2025 Collection, now felt like the right moment to circle back to Octavio with a quick interview...
Monsieur, please introduce yourself and give us a quick scene report. Where do you hail from, where are you right this moment, what’s going on?
Hey! I’m Octavio, an illustrator and artist based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I live in a neighborhood called Samborondón, where I go through my daily routine: dropping the kids off at school, hitting the gym, running with friends, and spending most of my time designing and illustrating. Right now, I’m immersed in creating a 'zine with my running buddies called Mntal Pace.
Tell the world: Who is Monsieur Saturday? Where did the name come from?
Monsieur Saturday started as a weekly post series I used to do, specifically on Saturdays. It featured a fictional character who would experience different events every weekend—running, playing tennis, having cocktails, and showcasing a variety of products. If you scroll back to my older posts, you’ll see some of these. Over time, the character evolved, but the name stuck!
How do you describe your artwork? Do you have a name for what you do?
I’d describe my work as a visual exploration of personality through fashion. I focus on illustrating people through their pants, shoes, and accessories, building a unique personality for each character. Slowly, I’ve integrated even more details—like accessories—that reflect the brand's personality and universe. I’ve also found a niche in the running world, where I highlight the fusion of performance and style.
729 Instagram posts ago (the inception of Monsieur Saturday), your page wasn’t yet geared towards running. At what point did you transition into focusing on the sport? What caused that shift?
At the start, my page was more centered around fashion and lifestyle. But over time, I became more involved in running, and that naturally began to take over my content. I’ve always considered myself a runner, but my running journey was initially just shown in stories. As I shared more of my personal running experiences, brands started noticing the space I had carved out, and they wanted to be part of that. Eventually, running became a bigger focus of my work.
Intermission: Turbo Round
- Favorite race: TBD (I’m still deciding on my next race—maybe the half marathon!)
- Favorite shoe: Asics Super Blast (the Barney colorway)
- Favorite restaurant: Empirico (A local wine bar with a perfect atmosphere, amazing food, and great music)
- Favorite cafe: Comuna Cafe (Best matcha latte in town!)
- Favorite artist right now: Joyce Manor (Always on loop during my runs)
- Dream cultural experience: Visiting Japan and running around Yoyogi Park.
Crystal ball in hand, where do you see the style / aesthetic of the sport trending? Where will things go over the next few years?
Looking ahead, I think running, fashion, and tech are going to come together even more. Performance gear will get more personal, blending style with function. We’ll see a lot more collabs between athletic and fashion brands, and running gear will become a bigger way to express yourself. It’s all about being creative, and I think we’re going to see more inclusive, stylish, and functional gear in the mix.
On a personal note, what’s your relationship with running these days? Are you chasing PRs? Running to escape?
Right now, I’m running to escape and reconnect with my creative side. I train with functional fitness at Push Gym every week and do a long run every Saturday. This year, I’m planning to run another half marathon—I’m still deciding which one to go for. For me, running is more about the experience and mental clarity than chasing PRs.
What’s the dream with Monsieur Saturday? If you could do anything with what you have going, what would it be?
My ultimate dream for Monsieur Saturday is to create a mural in New York City, specifically in Soho. Picture it: a bustling scene of people in motion, all reflecting different walks of life, running, commuting, living their daily lives. It’d be a tribute to the energy and movement of the city.
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Thank you, Octavio! We look forward to smashing the like button on your illustrations for years to come. See you soon!
