Chris Miller on Skating, Athleisure Wear & Ojai

Hall of Fame Skater Chris Miller is still winning championships in his 50s with his iconically smooth, fluid style and precision against other legends like Tony "Birdman" Hawk. Growing up near the famous Pipeline Skate Park in Upland, California, Chris turned pro while still a high-schooler. He's since gone on to win about every competition on the circuit. Miller found an outlet for his prodigious and prolific artistic talents designing his own decks at an early age. He moved into the clothing side of the business through several iterations with partners and on his own, including the coveted Planet Earth brand. While living in north San Diego County, he partnered up with fellow entrepreneur Joe Kudla to create Vuori in 2014. The company made yoga and comfort wear for men, and was successful early. Nothing prepared them for the pandemic, which Miller describes as a scary time of uncertainty, but it didn't take long before home-bound people found Vuori's versatile and comfortable clothes irresistible. It is now valued at $4 billion. Chris Miller talks over the rise and fall and rise again of skating culture, how important it has become to youth all over, his early heroes Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva, how he came to Ojai and much, much more. He is married to Lauren Dollie Duke, another friend of the pod, whose book "Shithouse" has become a surprise hit. We did not talk about the Copper River sockeye salmon runs, the NFL playoffs or parcheesi. Check out one of the many magazine profiles of Chris Miller ... https://welcomeskateboards.com/blogs/news/chris-miller-the-chromeball-interview