In 2013, the Los Angeles-based fashion designer Chris Stamp founded Stampd during his last chapter of business school. In the decade since, he has opened a brick-and-mortar store on La Brea Avenue, taken on collaborations around the globe, and turned his love of art into an ever-growing contemporary collection. Most recently, Stamp partnered with Patina Maldives on an ocean-inspired capsule collection, sparked by his visit in November 2022; Ugg for his third limited-edition line of shoes, many featuring functional details like water-repellent rubber shoe guards; and Nike for a limited run of Sushi Force 1s last year.
Related to the latter, of special note is Stamp’s ongoing partnership with the legendary chef and hospitality leader, Nobu Matsuhisa, for Sushi Club. Launched in 2021, the luxury streetwear brand features capsule collections specific to cities that Nobu restaurants are in, filled with hats, bomber jackets, t-shirts, and more. After taking over destinations like Miami, Mykonos, Aspen, and Dubai, Sushi Club recently landed in New York with a collection that nearly sold out instantly.
Whitewall spoke with Stamp about how his love of culture has taken him around the globe and what he’s working on next.
Courtesy of Chris Stamp.
The Evolution of Brick-and-Mortar Shopping
WHITEWALL: In 2016, you opened your first store, which is almost 10 years old. How have you seen the landscape of brick-and-mortar shopping evolve, especially post-pandemic?
CHRIS STAMP: Los Angeles is a special place for retail, always evolving. It’s one of the reasons we made the decision to open on La Brea, and on the second floor. We’ve seen a lot of movement post-pandemic, but like anything, things go through waves. LA will always have my heart, and La Brea is one of the most important blocks to the retail landscape of Los Angeles—and always will be.
Courtesy of Chris Stamp.
WW: Last time we spoke to you in 2020, you mentioned having artworks in your home, from an eroded Daniel Arsham piece and a KAWS sculpture to a piece by Futura. What have been some more recent acquisitions?
CS: I’ve continued to collect a lot of Daniel’s “Relic” pieces, and recently was blessed with a pair of the Virgil Futura “Invaluable” Nikes—a modern sculpture, in my opinion. In general, I have a growing affinity for Jacob Rochester, Syre Gomez, and Juan Riva’s paintings at the moment. Hoping to add those to the collection soon.
Courtesy of Chris Stamp.
Working with Culinary Pioneer Nobu Matsuhisa
WW: Your collaboration with Mr. Nobu on Sushi Club launched in 2021. How did this come to fruition?
CS: Nobu Matsuhisa is a pioneer in sushi and a legend within the culinary art space. Towards the end of 2019, I was introduced to him through a mutual friend and artist during an exhibition I was doing at our LA store. Over the next year or so, we built an organic friendship and I was given the opportunity to show him a concept around us working together.
Nobu means a lot to the community of Los Angeles and over the last few decades, has established an almost unspoken club around his art medium of sushi. The idea and initial graphic for the Beverly Hills Sushi Club came from that and his impact on what he’s done solely in Los Angeles. Fast forward a few years and after the initial success of the BHSC collections, we’ve now introduced just over 14 location-based capsule collections, all a part of the Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurant foundation.
Courtesy of Chris Stamp.
WW: You’ve collaborated with many other brands, figures, and organizations—like Patina Maldives, Ugg, and Nike. What makes a collaboration attractive?
CS: There needs to be a crossover from taste and perspective to values—and a mission that allows the art that is being created to happen harmoniously. In my opinion, without that, there’s no point, and the art that is created won’t be organic.
Chris Stamp’s Top Spots in Los Angeles
WW: For those in town for Frieze LA, what are three destinations not to miss?
CS: To shop, visit Stampd La Brea at 424 Melrose. Get lunch at Erewhon Beverly Hills, and then dinner at Matsuhisa Beverly Hills.
Courtesy of Chris Stamp.
WW: What are you working on now?
CS: We are currently building out our Stampd Spring/Summer 2025 collection with a continued focus on Sport and Resort. Simultaneously, we have an exciting Sushi Club rollout with some of my favorite brands through the second and third quarter of 2024. Also looking forward to Design Miami/ at the end of this year. Stay tuned!
