Maxed-out credit cards, the Pigeon Dunk and taking over Nike Lab's 21 Mercer: Jeff Staple sits down with TheStockroom to talk about what it really took to build STAPLE and The STAPLE Agency.Michael and Eman are the hosts of TheStockroom, the London podcast covering sneakers, streetwear and the culture around them.
In this episode they're joined by Jeff Staple, the designer and founder of STAPLE, while he's in London, for a conversation that runs from the early days of the brand to the Pigeon Dunk moment and everything that followed.From funding STAPLE on credit cards to opening a store in Nike Lab's 21 Mercer and building The STAPLE Agency, this conversation covers how Jeff built a brand that has lasted, and what comes next for it.
We discuss:
◼ How Jeff sees himself and what his number one goal is
◼ Jeff's work with will.i.am
◼ How Jeff dealt with debt and maxed out credit cards to fund STAPLE
◼ Unc vs OG, and which one Jeff would rather be called
◼ The 4 F's you should consider before starting any new project
◼ What the Pigeon Dunk moment meant to Jeff
◼ Whether Jeff still gets a buzz from execution
◼ When STAPLE expanded internationally, and why the name STAPLE cut through
◼ How the STAPLE store took over Nike Lab's 21 Mercer, and the lore behind the brand
◼ Starting The STAPLE Agency, and Jeff's first and most recent hire
◼ What Jeff learnt from Virgil Abloh about sharing the codes for success
◼ How Japanese streetwear's legacy is being written in real time, from Hiroshi Fujiwara to Nigo to Verdy
◼ Jeff's succession plan for STAPLE and the legacy he wants to give to the space
◼ What's on the table: Puma Suede x Jeff Staple 'Create From Chaos'
◼ What's on foot: Brooks Ghost Trail by STAPLE, Jordan 1 VAA Alaska and Black OG Prada Cups
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro
01:20 – Jeff Staple
Welcome & Why is he in London?
01:42 – Jeff on working with will.i.am
03:10 – How does Jeff see himself and his number one goal
06:32 – Jeff on dealing with debt and maxing out credit to fund STAPLE
09:00 – Unc vs OG
10:40 – What's On Foot?
14:15 – What's On The Table – Puma Suede x Jeff Staple 'Create From Chaos'
16:54 – The 4 F's you should consider before you start a new project
21:30 – What did the Pigeon Dunk moment mean to Jeff?
29:10 – Does Jeff get a buzz from execution?
34:20 – STAPLE going international & the importance of the name 'STAPLE'
40:00 – The STAPLE store taking over Nike Lab's 21 Mercer & the lore behind STAPLE
44:46 – Starting The STAPLE Agency & his first and most recent hire
54:35 – The succession plan for STAPLE & the legacy he'd like to give to the space
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