Puma’s new collaborator Chris Stamp set to unveil collection in Dubai

Style savant Chris Stamp, the founder of LA-based streetwear brand Stampd, will make his UAE debut this weekend at Sole DXB, the region's high-profile footwear, fashion and lifestyle fair in Dubai's Design District.

The designer, who is the latest to collaborate with Puma, has put together a collection that gives sportswear an urban and eclectic spin.

Ahead of his arrival in the UAE, Stamp talked to The National about his hopes for the event and his autumn/winter offerings.

This will be your first trip to the UAE – what are your expectations?

aI’m super interested to see the Middle East from an architectural and design standpoint. I’ve lived through the internet in terms of seeing the infrastructure of the city come to life and I’m excited to see it first-hand. I have a few friends in the area that are going to take me around, hopefully on more of the local tour.

What are your hopes for Sole DXB?

I’m excited to meet new people and experience the culture aspect of Dubai from the people who live there. New cities and new friends always transform into new inspirations.

How did your collaboration with Puma come about?

I was in Paris with my friend Ronnie [Fieg] for his collaboration with Puma and that’s when I first met Yassine Saidi, the global head of Puma Select & Sportstyle Footwear. I was impressed by the direction that Puma was taking with regards to their Sportstyle programmes, which I was keen to work with them on as well. Their programme opened a new avenue for designers like myself to think outside the box.

What convinced you that Stampd and Puma would be a good fit?

After I was introduced to the idea, the Puma collaboration came about organically, and at the time I was ready to collaborate with a global sports brand. We’ve been toying with the idea of doing athletics through some of our in-line styles and this made perfect sense. We were able to utilise Puma’s strengths in performance construction and fabric sourcing, focusing closer on our in-line cuts and detailing that we’re known for.

Describe the AW15 collection.

It was the debut idea of Stampd Athletics by Puma. It was honing in on our in-line desaturated colour palette and patterns, looking at it as a modern approach to what I envision athleticwear to be.

What might a capsule Stampd-Puma wardrobe contain this upcoming season?

In our next step into the apparel range with Puma, we continue with our athletic inspirations but will continue to expand upon a modern fit and colour offering. One of my personal favourites is the three-quarter drop-crotch athletic shorts, constructed in a lightweight fabric, with detailed perforations adding to the breathability when training.

Sum up your understanding of “streetwear” and what it means to be dubbed an “avant street” influencer?

I think it’s becoming an oversaturated word within the market. Honestly. Being labelled a “streetwear brand” is something that almost any brand in the world can fall under. For me, the term “avant street” arises from the idea of taking surf & skate culture – combining it with someone who grew up listening to 2pac, Bob Marley and Johnny Cash – then putting them in a YSL store. Our ethos is to make something elevated, what that person would appreciate not only for the now but for a lifetime.

In terms of some early adopters of streetwear, whose style do you respect?

Japanese musician and designer, Hiroshi Fujiwara; creative director and co-founder of Acne fashion house, Jonny Johansson; Sarah Andelman of the Parisian concept store, Colette; and Rasmus Storm, owner of the fashion and art retail platform Storm in Stockholm.

How have fabrics, colours, cuts and prices of streetwear apparel and accessories evolved since you founded Stampd in 2011?

It’s been a constant evolution and learning experience since the inception, with the idea of producing things we liked and want to wear personally at the highest regard. With each coming season, I’ve tried to elevate every aspect of the collection – from the product all the way through to our customer’s experience.

What are your predictions of where streetwear is going?

The apparel industry is a constant game of change and having to think of things in a different light or perspective. Having good business acumen is extremely important, and for creatives, that can sometimes be the hardest point. I see the industry moving more vertically as a whole – people love “buying direct”.

• Sole Dxb is on Friday November 20 and Saturday November 21 at Dubai’s Design District. Register online for free admission before 3pm on both days. Entry after 3pm costs Dh100. For more information, visit www.soledxb.com

rduane@thenational.ae