The Tastemakers Society

The question here isn’t do you know Jeff Staple the question is how do you know Jeff Staple? You may know him as the guy behind the pigeon dunk, or you could know him because he’s a streetwear magnate or you may know him because he’s your favorite designers favorite designer. The man has had his hand in so many things it’s too much for me to speak on, he’s helped change and influence so much in people’s lives without them ever knowing it. So regardless of how you know Jeff Staple I’m going to let you know a little more and if you don’t know Jeff them allow me to introduce you…

Name, age, Location

Jeff Ng also known as Jeff Staple. 31. In Miami, FL on holiday right now, but currently residing in New York City (for the most part).

You do so many things it’s hard to define it, so who better to describe exactly what you do, than you.

I find it difficult myself. I usually just tell people I am self-employed. That sounds boring enough that people don’t pry anymore. But basically I founded a company called Staple Design, we do cool things for cool companies to try and keep them in a cool direction. Cool, huh. We also do a clothing line that will celebrate its 10th anniversary year in 2007. I’m quite proud of that. And I also own Reed Space, a boutique/gallery in NYC and Tokyo. Everything can pretty much fall into one of those three categories.

You are well known and influential in the streetwear industry, but I want to know about the designer Jeff Staple. So what got you into design, and what was your true reasoning for pursuing it like you have done?

I wish I knew a formula for how I went about it. Other than following my heart and soul, there is no way for me to tell how I do what I do. I credit getting into design from my high school art teacher, Michael Reed. He meant so much to me that I named my stores and galleries after him, I name all my Mac HDs after him as well. If it weren’t for him, I might be an accountant or journalist today. I love the power that designers have. Unbeknowest to most people, designers have the power to change and alter the world. I get satisfaction about not only doing this, but offering other designers the platform to accomplish this as well.

If you were to look back into a catalog of your first design jobs to the design works you’ve done as of late or are involved with now, how would you describe your progression?

Oddly enough, I just did that recently. I found that some of the designs done in 1997 that didn’t fare well are so timely now that I am re-releasing them. Many of our designs are not major hits but get demand 2-3 years after we create them, does that mean we’re ahead of our time? Or always missing the mark? Guess it just depends on which way you look at it.

Who are some of the clients you’ve worked with in the past, present and would like to work with in the future?

We’ve been blessed to work with the best of the best. The list goes on and on but some notables are: AND1, Burton Snowboards, Levis, LVHM, New Balance, New Era, Nike, Puma, Starter, Timberland, Triple Five Soul, Uniqlo, Zoo York, Casio, Housing Works, New Museum, W+K, Complex magazine, Dime magazine, Fader magazine…etc…etc. The list I would like to work with in the future is even longer. It could be anyone. It could be YOU.

Can you speak on some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on and some of your most memorable ones?

Some of my favorite projects are the ones that resonate and mean something to a larger community. Like Nike Considered, or Housing Works. Of course you want to please yourself as a designer and please your client. But when you make a difference to the everyday person…or to the earth…it satisfies something deeper in your soul.

You do alot of traveling, especially to the far east, like China, how would you describe the way they embrace and use design compared with the US?

In the east, design is an artform. In the west, its a commercial property. Designers are artists in the east. In the west, designers were classified in the same category as the Kinko’s guy who makes photocopies for you. Its changing now, mostly due in part to notable asian design celebrities catching fire here (murakami, nigo, yamamoto, miyake, etc.). I’m glad Americans are seeing the importance of quality design.

What individual, company or country do you see leading the way in design and taking its innovativeness to new levels, or do you see a lack of this and a need for it?

Japan still kills it. Berlin is definitely on the come up. I havent been to Sweden, Switzerland or Norway yet but I hear designers are like gods over there as well. Honestly, Americans are like neanderthals when it comes to design.

What are your thoughts on the sudden love of design here in the US, and how many companies are focusing more on it?

Its about time…people realize that you only get what you paid for. Sure you can get t-shirts at 3 for $10. And you can also pay $40 for one, whats the difference? People are beginning to realize there is a difference. Not even in just the construction of it, but also they are putting value in the thought process that went behind each design. Honestly, I think shops like Reed Space, JB Compound, Commonwealth, Nom De Guerre, and even Target are shedding light on the designers process and why you pay for what it is you pay for.

What are the best and worst parts of traveling so often?

Best parts are the people you meet. I loved this line from a Common song, “I found it hard to imagine he hadn’t been past downtown! It’s deep. A reality I touch but for me its hard to keep.” Just realizing that in the grand scheme of this world, you are insignificant. People get so involved with their own lives sometimes. When you travel, you realize 99.9999999% of the people does not give a shit who or what you are. No matter who you are. The negatives? Its hard to maintain a relationship man. Nuff said.

If you had a choose to design a car, phone, bar/club or hotel what would you choose and why? And go as far as to which company you’d design it for?

I think a hotel. So I have a place to stay for free. hehe.

Are there any projects you’re involved with you can speak on, or do you keep signing those damn non disclosure forms?

NDA’s all day! But I also don’t really like to talk about projects. I don’t even like leaking projects. I like “doing” dope shit, not talking about it.

And because everyone reading this wants to know, what are your thoughts and predictions on the streetwear and sneaker cultures as of now, and in the coming future?

I think it will mature. First off, there are a lot of people into “streetwear” right now that are just trendy. Last year, they were wearing Puma’s, 2 years ago they were wearing Prada’s and now they’re wearing Dunks. Next year, who knows? Doc Martens? So those people will come and go. Core sneakerheads who have been heads since DAY ONE will always be the same. That’s like the smallest percentage of the population. The remaining will eventurally just mature and grow up. They’ll get jobs, wear suits, casual fridays will feature Dockers and cardigans, they’ll have kids and instead of saving up for Pigeon Dunks, they’ll be saving up for diapers.

Oh, your spring line looked real nice (I get to see all types of cool things, ha) I’m not going to say too much on it, but would you like to give any hints to the folks out there?

I pulled out all the stops on our 10th anniversay year. Its important to me that we made it to 10. Especially in this day and age of upstarts and overnight celebrities. Again, I don’t really like to speak on this type of thing. I would rather just bless yall with it in the physical. But I have something for everyone. Hope you enjoy. (Hint: if you’ve seen the catalog, you’ve only seen the HALF of it. hahaha.)

Thanks for taking the time from jetsetting, blogging, and designing.

Thanks for the interview. Peace.

Reed Space Japan

Reed Space NY

J- Smooth

www.stapledesign.com