Fabricio Da Costa Went from Pro Skater to Footwear Designer

Today’s guest Fabricio Da Costa has lived many lives. He’s a footwear designer as well as an ex-pro skater who’s lived in Brazil, Portland, and New York City. He designed some of the most iconic silhouettes in both skate (including the VP favorite Project BA) and running footwear (Nike Zoom Alphafly), and has expanded his reach into everything from apparel to snowboard boots.”…it was hard to get product from…American, European brands back then. A lot of the products from the local brands I wasn't happy with. So to be honest, that's how I got into design. I was like, ‘Dude, I know I get s**t for free, but I don't like it. How can I make it better?’”“I skated for a lot of the big brands in Brazil, but I feel like it wasn't so much because of my performance in contests, because I never liked them. I did well when I was an am…but I was never into it. It felt too artificial and forced.”“I don't think a lot of people expected that, right? It was probably one of the most unexpected shoes Nike SB came out with.”“Brian (Anderson) is great, such a great homie, such a super humble and creative dude. One of the best dudes out there, I would say.”“Product creation is not easy.”“…it helped more that I had a background in skateboarding, I think. That I was a pro skater that wasn't retired yet. I was doing both. I had the studio, and I was still skateboarding.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit villagepsychic.substack.com/subscribe