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Born x Raised founder Chris “Spanto” Printup died at 42 following a car accident on June 28th. A release from the brand read, “He leaves behind his wife Anna, and three children Marilyn, Carter, and David, a sister, three brothers, his mother, step mother, and step father, his beloved grandparents, his family at Born x Raised, his extended native family, the city of Los Angeles that he loved and championed, and an extensive network of true friends.” Spanto’s passing came as a shock to all, including the fashion and arts community in Los Angeles—the city he called home, and the city that his streetwear brand served as an ongoing love letter to.
Spanto launched his brand Born x Raised back in 2013. The label—known for its graphic tees, hoodies, hats, and more—often paid tribute to his native L.A. “I grew up in Los Angeles in the ’80s and ’90s, when the way you dressed was a very loud statement,” Spanto, who was born in Venice, told Vogue back in June. “We wore our clothing like a suit of armor and a badge of courage. I keep and carry the same energy with me when I design my collections.” His pieces garnered a cult following among L.A. locals specifically, igniting successful collaborations with the official local sports teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Even better is how the brand also often highlighted Spanto’s Indigenous culture (he was Apache and Seneca). His impactful designs brought Indigenous representation to fashion, a space that’s historically ignored Indigenous stories and talent. Last year, for instance, Born x Raised collaborated with the dance troupe Indigenous Enterprise to drop a collection of pieces that were photographed on Indigenous elders on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.
More recently, a Born x Raised collaboration with Levi’s paid homage to Spanto’s late father Butch, and made use of various Indigenous creatives in the campaign as well. “Spanto asked if I would jingle dance with his sister on this project,” says Acosia Red Elk, an Umatilla dancer who starred in the campaign. She ended up making an entire jingle dress out of Spanto s designs for the collaboration. “I spent three days in my hotel room constructing the two,” she says. “[Spanto] said it was his most special, heartfelt project ever; We were all so proud to be a part of that.”
Below, more of Spanto’s closest friends, family members, and collaborators look back on their fondest memories and stories with the designer, and his legacy.
Danny Trejo, actor
Spanto was one-of-a-kind. Everything he believed in—his neighborhood, his friends, his brand—he was all the way in it. I’ve known him since he was a kid, and I can tell you, he did it all to the fullest. He wasn’t half a gangster; He was an OG by the time I met him. He wasn’t half a leader; He was the kind of guy people followed without question. He wasn’t half a designer; He created a brand that embodied all of Los Angeles. He didn’t just care about his community halfway; He carried it on his shoulders. He was all or nothing. People gravitate toward that, and they gravitated toward him. I’m happy I got to watch him grow, and I think the world lost a shining star.
DJ Muggs, DJ
I knew Chris since he was 14 and watched him grow up. He always had that spark, a passion for everything he did. There was never no half way with him—everything was 100 percent at all times. He was one of those people that would send you a random text on a Tuesday telling you he loved you and just wanted you to know that. Even going through the chemo after-effects, he ran circles around healthy people, and you would never know he wasn t feeling good cause he just went balls to the wall. His brand stood for the people, and the people felt it; That’s what made Born x Raised special and on another level. It was always about giving back and uplifting the city. I’m gonna miss that kid like the whole damn city is.
Jerry Lorenzo, designer, Fear of God
[Spanto embodied] integrity, intention, authenticity, and hope. To have a voice in this noisy and over-saturated industry, the only way to have sustainability and create a lane for yourself is to stay within your God-given lane and purpose. People see lanes as limits, when in fact they are infinite. Spanto expressed everything that made him uniquely himself, and did so with such clarity and honesty. Spanto set the example, and represented a life that transcends fashion and inspires everyone, in every arena or industry.
Alex/2Tone, co-founder, Born x Raised
Spanto was a man of the people and a relentless force. He was by nature a fighter, and he would use whatever he had at his disposal to achieve his goals. He fought through everything that was thrown at him. He also was learning constantly, and once he got past being down from cancer in the first four to five years, he started running as fast as he could. He was braver and stronger and more determined than anyone I knew. He had a connection to community, the city of L.A., and like-minded people in cities outside of L.A.. We worked together to act as storytellers at a time when narrative was not at the forefront of our industry. Also Sadie Hawkins, a party we started a decade ago, was his pride and joy—as well as all the other parties and events attached to the brand. He never thought small, was always pushing for more, and never took no for an answer.
Anna Printup, Spanto’s wife
My husband played many roles for many people, but to me, he was my love, my source of security, and the embodiment of my heart. For the past eight years, we were truly one person. We faced many challenges, but nothing ever broke us. People are saying that Los Angeles won’t be the same without him, but for us, he was what made our home complete, and I know it will never be the same without him. Though my heart remains completely broken, I ll find the strength for our three beautiful children to pursue the dreams he worked so tirelessly for. I am so proud of him. Spanto, I love you forever.
Kenneth Shirley, founder, Indigenous Enterprise
Spanto s impact on me is immeasurable. He taught me the power of embracing my roots and always being proud of where I come from. During our Indigenous Enterprise collaboration, he chose to shoot at my Navajo grandma s house in Lupton, Arizona, and the overwhelming joy I felt that day brought tears to my eyes. Spanto s unwavering work ethic and deep passion inspired me to strive for greatness and to carry the pride of my heritage—the spirit of Born X Raised—with me always. He had a profound desire to evoke emotion and present Indigenous culture authentically and beautifully to the world.
Spanto leaves behind a legacy that is monumental and trailblazing. He was not just a brother and mentor, but a shining example for Indigenous people everywhere. He shattered the limitations imposed on us by society, and showed us that we can thrive in spaces where we are typically overlooked. Through Born X Raised, he pushed boundaries and put Native Americans on the global map—filling us with immense pride to see one of our own achieving such greatness. His relentless Apache and Seneca spirit will continue to resonate, inspiring native youth to chase their dreams and manifest their goals, just as he did.
Bradley Carbone, business partner, Born x Raised
Once the door was opened (or kicked down), Spanto could hold his own in any room, and his charisma was innate. It was his gift and he spent his life refining it—to build a network that got him his neighborhood, and a business that got him his city. Spanto used that smile and storytelling to punch above his weight class, both in conversation and in the products he brought into life. Through Spanto’s narrative, a garment was more than that: It meant something. To be from a place, to take part in a story being told. A story with the greatest start, but one that had only just begun.
Estevan Oriol, photographer
[What inspired me about Spanto was] his drive! His creativity. His love for his family, friends, community, the neighborhood of Venice, Los Angeles, and his Indigenous people. He fought for the people—his people. He turned a clothing brand into a strong movement, which is not easy to do. He was a leader in the community. He did everything the right way, the way it’s supposed to be done, with integrity and for a reason. Every drop he did had a message, or it was groundbreaking [in a way] that other brands couldn’t do. All the other companies and individuals he did collaborations with, no one else could pull that off. He’s touched so many people. Most importantly, he was one of my best friends and like a little brother to me. We only had good times together—creating, going to events, hanging out, talking, or taking out the Harleys for a ride. In Spanto’s words: “I’m not done yet.” Spanto lives—I love you homie!
Vince Staples, artist
Everything about Spanto is inspiring. His ability to embrace whatever life threw his way while remaining focused on his goals. The compassion and love that he had for his community, and the people in it. His eagerness to remind us all of what was important. Despite what he was going through, Spanto was always present, and he was always fighting for what he believed in. I am proud of everything that he accomplished while putting up that fight—but more than anything, I am thankful that he was my friend.
Chace Infinite, artist
What inspired me most about Spanto was he was resilient, fearless, and focused. I also appreciated the level of respect he treated everyone with. I know the legacy he left behind is a legacy of honor and accomplishment. He showed us all, through example, that quitting is not an option—and you can accomplish all the crazy things your mind conceives. . . if you work hard enough. He was an example of how an "un-trained" creative director and designer can propel a brand to the height of the fashion industry. He turned what most fashion insiders would consider a streetwear brand into a creative powerhouse. #SpantoLives
Travis Bennett, actor
Spanto beat all the odds. He grew up in Venice before they gentrified it, when it wasn’t a good place; He beat cancer twice. Against all odds. With this big grin on his face, and an infectious laugh. I met Spanto during his chemo. He was always the same guy, no matter the circumstances. So bright and so warm. He taught me a lot about just being me. He was so unapologetically himself 100 percent of the time—how could I not be that? He represented the city of L.A. like no other. I miss my friend, he was always checking up on me—something I don’t do with my friends enough. A fucking heart of gold. I don’t know anyone who has a bad thing to say about him. I can’t thank him enough for the impact he left on me in my life. Thank you Spanto for being you. Venice is yours forever. The legacy Spanto leaves behind is a huge family. The Sadie Hawkins dance is a legacy that we will make sure we keep strong, along with representing the city correctly and to not let the lames take over.
Freddie Gibbs, rapper
Spanto was a legend at birth. I admired his heart and was impressed by his innovation. We did some work together, but he was my friend—I didn’t really think about work. Love U, Spanto.
Lambo, manager, producer and creative director
Spanto was such a busy and successful person, but he somehow made time for everyone. So many people shared a deep personal connection with him, I’ve never seen anything like it. For me, it was how he always went out of his way to make sure his friends and people were good. Random phone calls and for no other reason than to check in. A true positive force in my life and so many others . Friendship always came first, being able to do some work with him was a bonus. He brought his own culture and the authentic Los Angeles experience to the forefront of the fashion industry. He built his empire slow, never sacrificing any of his integrity. He was never off brand—everything with purpose. He threw the coolest events in the city with the coolest people, but it was always genuine. He was a true connecter, who brought people together from all walks of life. The way he integrated his work within the community is incredibly inspiring. He was the real mayor of L.A. He made Los Angeles a better place. He made the world a better place. He will be greatly missed.
The Alchemist, producer, DJ, and rapper
What inspired me the most [about Spanto] was his fearlessness. He took every battle head-on. When he had an idea for anything, you could see the wheels turning in his brain when you looked in his eyes—he would get on the phone immediately and start connecting dots. He wanted to win every time, and he saw himself crossing the finish line in his head before it would even happen. He and his brand had become legendary, every year was another milestone, but he kept working like he had something to prove. His work ethic was unmatched. His story alone was just a motivator to everyone that knew him. When he beat the cancer, it was like beating the final boss. To all of us, he was indestructible. I always admired how there wasn t a drop of fear in his body. The legacy he leaves behind is not something that gets left behind at all. I would consider it more as a legacy that gets left forward. It continues. All the hard work that he did while he was here on earth with us serves as the foundation that the future is built on. For his children, for his family, for his brothers, friends, fans and supporters.
Lee Spielman, founder of Babylon LA
One of the things that inspired me the most about Spanto was his ability to overcome the obstacles put in front of him, and repurpose those experiences into inspiration that created a lasting impact on those who came in contact with him. Most people would have folded after the first battle, but he pushed through those struggles and used them as building blocks to tell stories that resonated with his community and beyond.
I remember meeting up with Spanto one afternoon a few years ago thinking we were just going to drive around and talk shit like usual; Next thing I know, we were sitting bedside at Cedars Sinai hospital, while he sat and spoke to a young man who was about to undergo a bone marrow transplant after two years of chemo. Spanto brought him a Born x Raised sweatsuit and told him everything was going to be okay with his situation. You could feel it in the room that this kid looked up to Spanto, and saw himself in him. I saw that kid light up for a brief second that afternoon. He showed people that every experience makes you who you are—where you’re from, your wins, and your losses. Spanto leaves behind a legacy that’s about as L.A. as you can get. The real deal. No half-stepping. He stamped this city forever, and he did it without ever sacrificing an ounce of authenticity in the process. He stayed true to his roots throughout it all. One-of-a-kind. A true original.
Chris Gibbs, owner, Union LA
There are so many elements of his character that inspired me. One that comes to mind immediately would be this pluralist balance he had. He was able to navigate relationships and people in this really beautiful way. His resting face was somewhat intimidating. He ran in some tough circles and neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and he definitely wore that attitude as a coat of armor. It could be quite intimidating at times. But the minute he figured out if you were worthy of his trust, he would “code switch,” and he would become the sweetest, most humble and earnest dude. He was nothing but the purest and warmest person to me, and our relationship stayed that way.
Don’t get me wrong—if you disturbed the peace, he was quick to react, and not shy to let you know that he was upset. We had some of those moments, too. But what made him great was that we would listen to you and give you agency, and as long as you were a straight shooter, he would have your back. When I first moved to Los Angeles, there were a lot of brands that represented Los Angeles lifestyle, but weren’t run by locals. When I first met Spanto, I told him how refreshing it was to see Born x Raised represent L.A. by true locals. The path he traiblazed, one that will be very hard for many to follow, is how he represented Los Angeles in this holistic way—a way that didn’t hide her dark side, but instead was a honest and comprehensive representation of the City of Angeles. The good, the bad, the ugly.
Peshawn Bread, director, writer, producer, and model
What inspired me the most about Spanto was his strength. He fought so many battles, yet stayed persistent, dedicated, and loving to the creativity that he had in mind. Someone like Spanto wasn’t just one person representing one community. He found many homes and communities to belong to. Working with him, I saw how so many people cared for him and believed in his vision—which was bringing Indigenous representation to the forefront. The legacy that he leaves behind is ongoing. The legacy he behinds is one of resiliency; He was resilient in every way possible. He showed us that you can fight many battles, and still come out on top. That you can still give the creativity you want to give, while holding your community close. He was a huge trailblazer in fashion and streetwear, and bringing that Indigenous purpose into it.
Acosia Red Elk, dancer
What inspired me most about working with Spanto was his genuine character. He wasn’t putting on a front for anybody. He was simply himself, and it made his interactions effortless because of that. He cared about everybody he worked with, and put them up on a pedestal. He had a way of making every single person feel so important, seen, and valued. A sense of belonging creates a safe path to growth and evolution. Spanto gifted that to all of us. He set us up for success by providing support, encouragement. and genuine love. Spanto’s Legacy does not end here—it is a spiral and keeps going. He showed us that no matter where you come from, no matter your circumstances or traumas, you can be successful by being your truest self. Natives Chicanos from the streets and from the rez are who Spanto represented and advocated for. Indigenous People are phenomenal artists physically, mentally, and spiritually—Spanto put us up in front on a huge platform and shocked the industry. They weren’t even ready for that.
