Born x Raised: A Badge of the Bold
Born x Raised: A Badge of the Bold
Blog Article
Born x Raised: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
In the ever-evolving landscape of streetwear, few brands manage to maintain a true connection to their roots while expanding globally. Born x Raised, often stylized as BornxRaised, stands as one of the rare exceptions—a brand built not just on fashion, but on community, identity, and unfiltered authenticity. Founded in 2011 by Chris "Spanto" Printup and Alex "2Tone" Erdmann, Born x Raised was born out of a desire to represent the often overlooked, misrepresented, and rapidly disappearing culture of native Angelenos in the face of gentrification and cultural dilution.
Rooted in Realness
Born x Raised didn’t emerge from corporate boardrooms or influencer strategies. It came from the streets of Venice, California—long before the tech boom, when the neighborhood was still defined by its Chicano culture, working-class families, and the quiet pride of locals who had lived there for generations. Spanto, who was Native American and Chicano, created the brand as a way to preserve that heritage and tell stories that mainstream fashion wouldn't touch. The name itself—Born x Raised—is a declaration: a claim to place, identity, and experience that can't be bought or faked.
The brand’s ethos is embedded in its name. To be "born and raised" in a place is more than a geographical fact—it’s an emotional anchor. It means growing up with the rhythms, people, and culture of a neighborhood, experiencing both its highs and lows. Born x Raised captures that essence and turns it into wearable testimony.
Design as a Message
Unlike many streetwear brands that rely heavily on aesthetics, Born x Raised is message-first. Its designs speak volumes—sometimes with bold, confrontational typography and other times through subtle, culturally loaded references. Many of their drops include phrases like “Gentrification is Genocide” or “On the Turf,” reflecting a deep frustration with how native communities are being displaced by rising rents and cultural erasure.
Their artwork often draws from old English fonts, religious iconography, Chicano mural styles, and local slang. Everything feels specific, intentional, and unapologetic. The clothing doesn’t just represent a fashion choice—it’s a conversation starter, a statement, and sometimes, a protest.
Collaboration Without Compromise
Born x Raised has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry—Nike, Converse, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and even the NHL. What’s remarkable is how the brand never loses its voice, even when working with corporate giants. Whether it’s a limited-edition sneaker or a city-branded varsity jacket, every collab keeps that Born x Raised DNA intact: raw, real, and rooted in Los Angeles.
Their 2023 Nike Dunk collaboration, for example, wasn’t just about hype—it was a tribute. The sneakers paid homage to Spanto’s own journey and the LA neighborhoods that shaped him. The rollout was deeply personal, with local events, community givebacks, and storytelling that highlighted Spanto's battle with cancer and his commitment to giving back even while facing his own mortality.
Spanto’s Legacy
Tragically, in 2023, Chris "Spanto" Printup passed away, sending ripples of grief throughout the streetwear and Los Angeles communities. But even in death, Spanto's vision continues to thrive. He built more than a brand—he built a movement, one centered on identity, pride, and resilience. His impact is felt not just in the shirts and sneakers people wear, but in the cultural conversations he helped spark and the communities he helped uplift.
Spanto was never interested in selling out. He was interested in telling the truth. That’s why Born x Raised carries such emotional weight—because it's honest. It’s full of heart, anger, love, pride, and pain. In an industry often criticized for being hollow or trend-chasing, Spanto’s work was refreshingly soulful.
The Community at the Core
Unlike many fashion brands that market to a vague idea of “youth culture,” Born x Raised speaks to real people with real stories. The brand consistently gives back to its community—whether it’s through organizing youth programs, hosting block parties, or using its platform to highlight local artists and causes.
Born x Raised doesn't just operate in LA—it belongs to LA. That sense of place is palpable in everything they do. From Venice to South Central, their designs carry the fingerprints of people who actually live there. They shine a light on the often unseen—the neighborhoods left out of glossy travel guides and Hollywood scripts. And in doing so, they offer a truer, more complex portrait of the city.
Not Just Streetwear—Storywear
What sets Born x Raised apart is its unwavering commitment to storytelling. This isn’t just apparel—it’s autobiography. Every drop tells a piece of a larger narrative: of who the founders are, where they come from, and what matters to them. That level of personal investment shows in every garment, whether it's a distressed hoodie or a meticulously embroidered varsity jacket.
The clothes feel lived-in because the stories behind them are. That’s why fans of the brand feel such a strong connection to it. It’s not just about flexing fashion—it’s about wearing your truth, your heritage, your struggle, and your pride.
The Future of the Brand
In a world where streetwear often feels more like a cash grab than a cultural movement, Born x Raised stands as a reminder of what this space can be. It proves that you don’t have to water down your message to make an impact—you just need to be real.
As the brand moves forward in the wake of Spanto’s passing, there's a sense that his vision will only grow stronger. His legacy lives on through the team he built, the community he supported, and the truths he championed. 2Tone continues to steer the ship, and fans around the world wear Born x Raised not just as a style choice, but as a statement of solidarity.
Conclusion
Born x Raised is more than fashion—it’s a cultural force. It's a reminder that identity matters, that community matters, and that fashion can be a powerful tool for storytelling and resistance. In a city as vast and varied as Los Angeles, Born x Raised gives voice to the neighborhoods and histories that might otherwise be forgotten.
And for those who wear it, it’s more than just clothing. It’s armor, it’s pride, it’s family. Born x Raised isn’t trying to appeal to everyone—it’s staying loyal to the soil, and in doing so, it’s become unforgettable.
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