Features
style
Stampd' LA
LA To Tokyo
"I don’t really get involved in the name say in this industry, I’m too busy trying to focus on making dope shit" Stampd' LA
Brand founder, designer and young-gun entrepreneur Chris Stamp successfully made the leap from sneaker customizer (specializing in Chuck Taylors) to brand inventor. His creation Stampd’ LA has enjoyed widespread endorsement from sneaker fanatics through to a broad cross-section of contemporary society. With a solid business plan and a gradually increasing international distribution network, we’re expecting big things from Stampd’ LA. Chris gave us the lowdown on his grand plan.
Can you tell us when you first applied pen to canvas?
About three and half years ago I first started experimenting with custom shoe design. It was during college and I wanted to express myself through my shoes. I bought a bunch of Chucks at the time, and started experimenting with different mediums and techniques. One thing lead to another and I was doing shoes for my friends, neighbors etc.
Did you have a natural gift for customization or was it a learning process?
Like anything it was definitely a learning process. Luckily I have been into art and design since an early age, which really helped expedite the process. But figuring out what pens or paints were the best to use, which would last the longest, which colours would come through best on canvas, was more or less a trial and error sort of thing .
Is there anyone in particular that has inspired your work?
I can’t really pin-point one person or thing that has inspired my work, but there are a number of things that aid me in design. I love photography, whether it’s taking pictures, or admiring someone else’s work, it’s inspiring. Music is a must have, I find that I’m rarely not listening to music; vintage shopping; surfing and most importantly, having fun with my friends...
At which point did you decide to create your own label?
About a year and a half ago, after things had really started to move with the ‘Custom’ side of Stampd’ LA, I met my partner who had just moved to LA from Japan. At the time, I was completely overwhelmed with painting Chucks and was looking into branching out of the custom business into something more mass marketable. Tom and I talked about how we could work together, lucky enough he had close ties to a production house in China, six months later we had our first samples.
Did you ever officially deal with Converse or was it all off your own merit?
I never had an official relationship with Converse, but was just a big fan of Chuck, and still am. I wanted to put my spin on such a classic model.
Was it a long process getting the first silhouette produced?
The first sample probably took the longest for us to develop, around six months. For me, going out to China with no prior experience or reputation in the footwear industry, factories were a little hesitant when they didn’t see the production orders right away. They made me wait [laughs].
You’ve worked with some pretty notable people, were there any jobs that you were particularly excited about?
Umm yeah, while I was doing the customs I did a job for Pepsi and DUB magazine. They were so stoked with what I did, they had me do a pair especially for Pharrell on a pair of Ice Creams, that was pretty dope.
With the Jordan inspired shoe did Nike take you to town for that or was it more just a cease and desist? Any us10’s floating around?
Yeah, that’s a touchy subject. No comment.
Can you describe the market that you’re aiming for? What kind of audience would you like to see representing your product?
I want Stampd’ LA to be something that my friends wear and are excited about. I want my collections to be a range of shoes that aren’t too ‘street’, but at the same time not too contemporary. I want there to be a medium between the two styles. I want that skater-kid in middle school to be stoked on our shoes, the party girl in NY, and the music executive in LA. With the coming collections there is definitely a shoe for everyone.
How do you feel about the ‘Hipster’ label that’s being thrown around these days? Its sooo 2008…
Ha, I think it’s pretty funny. Honestly I don’t really get it. People use it to associate other people with fashion, right? I don’t really get involved in the name say in this industry, I’m too busy trying to focus on making dope shit.
How much work have you done outside of the U.S? Is there a specific country you’d like to see your product stocked in?
Well, we just got back from Bread and Butter in Berlin for the second time, and are pretty set-up in that market. We’re working with a good group of sales reps throughout Europe and our main distribution hub is out of Amsterdam, through a store called Patta. On the other side of the world, my partner is from Japan which makes getting into that territory a lot easier. I think Japan right now is our biggest market, Japanese fashion changes so fast, they’re constantly on the look for that new thing. Good for us that new thing is Stampd’ LA!
Are there any collaborations or projects coming up that you’d like to tell us about?
We have a few in the works, one in particular which I’m really excited about is with Danish brand Pa:nuu. We have a dope pair of shoes coming out along with a few tees. We plan to launch it both in the US and Europe. Maybe we’ll try and shoot a few pairs over to Highs & Lows in Western Australia so everybody in Australia can get a chance to cop a pair. Stay tuned through stampdla.com for updates on what’s next in our hood.
You heard the man, keep up with Stampd' LA, who are poised to make some major moves via stampdla.com. Stampd' LA is distributed by NVSBL (info@nvsbl.com.au) here in Australia with stockists that include bleeckerst.com and Highs & Lows Perth
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About three and half years ago I first started experimenting with custom shoe design. It was during college and I wanted to express myself through my shoes. I bought a bunch of Chucks at the time, and started experimenting with different mediums and techniques. One thing lead to another and I was doing shoes for my friends, neighbors etc.
Did you have a natural gift for customization or was it a learning process?
Like anything it was definitely a learning process. Luckily I have been into art and design since an early age, which really helped expedite the process. But figuring out what pens or paints were the best to use, which would last the longest, which colours would come through best on canvas, was more or less a trial and error sort of thing .
Is there anyone in particular that has inspired your work?
I can’t really pin-point one person or thing that has inspired my work, but there are a number of things that aid me in design. I love photography, whether it’s taking pictures, or admiring someone else’s work, it’s inspiring. Music is a must have, I find that I’m rarely not listening to music; vintage shopping; surfing and most importantly, having fun with my friends...
At which point did you decide to create your own label?
About a year and a half ago, after things had really started to move with the ‘Custom’ side of Stampd’ LA, I met my partner who had just moved to LA from Japan. At the time, I was completely overwhelmed with painting Chucks and was looking into branching out of the custom business into something more mass marketable. Tom and I talked about how we could work together, lucky enough he had close ties to a production house in China, six months later we had our first samples.
Did you ever officially deal with Converse or was it all off your own merit?
I never had an official relationship with Converse, but was just a big fan of Chuck, and still am. I wanted to put my spin on such a classic model.
Was it a long process getting the first silhouette produced?
The first sample probably took the longest for us to develop, around six months. For me, going out to China with no prior experience or reputation in the footwear industry, factories were a little hesitant when they didn’t see the production orders right away. They made me wait [laughs].
You’ve worked with some pretty notable people, were there any jobs that you were particularly excited about?
Umm yeah, while I was doing the customs I did a job for Pepsi and DUB magazine. They were so stoked with what I did, they had me do a pair especially for Pharrell on a pair of Ice Creams, that was pretty dope.
With the Jordan inspired shoe did Nike take you to town for that or was it more just a cease and desist? Any us10’s floating around?
Yeah, that’s a touchy subject. No comment.
Can you describe the market that you’re aiming for? What kind of audience would you like to see representing your product?
I want Stampd’ LA to be something that my friends wear and are excited about. I want my collections to be a range of shoes that aren’t too ‘street’, but at the same time not too contemporary. I want there to be a medium between the two styles. I want that skater-kid in middle school to be stoked on our shoes, the party girl in NY, and the music executive in LA. With the coming collections there is definitely a shoe for everyone.
How do you feel about the ‘Hipster’ label that’s being thrown around these days? Its sooo 2008…
Ha, I think it’s pretty funny. Honestly I don’t really get it. People use it to associate other people with fashion, right? I don’t really get involved in the name say in this industry, I’m too busy trying to focus on making dope shit.
How much work have you done outside of the U.S? Is there a specific country you’d like to see your product stocked in?
Well, we just got back from Bread and Butter in Berlin for the second time, and are pretty set-up in that market. We’re working with a good group of sales reps throughout Europe and our main distribution hub is out of Amsterdam, through a store called Patta. On the other side of the world, my partner is from Japan which makes getting into that territory a lot easier. I think Japan right now is our biggest market, Japanese fashion changes so fast, they’re constantly on the look for that new thing. Good for us that new thing is Stampd’ LA!
Are there any collaborations or projects coming up that you’d like to tell us about?
We have a few in the works, one in particular which I’m really excited about is with Danish brand Pa:nuu. We have a dope pair of shoes coming out along with a few tees. We plan to launch it both in the US and Europe. Maybe we’ll try and shoot a few pairs over to Highs & Lows in Western Australia so everybody in Australia can get a chance to cop a pair. Stay tuned through stampdla.com for updates on what’s next in our hood.
You heard the man, keep up with Stampd' LA, who are poised to make some major moves via stampdla.com. Stampd' LA is distributed by NVSBL (info@nvsbl.com.au) here in Australia with stockists that include bleeckerst.com and Highs & Lows Perth
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