Get to know one of LA’s skate boys.
In honor of MADE Sydney, our Fashion x Skate x Music event this November, MADE New York caught up with LA-based skater Chris Harris. As a skater, casting director for ESPRIT, and visual artist, Harris is a multidisciplinary mover-and-shaker at the crossroads of LA’s art and skate scene. We teamed up with Chris for a Q&A and featured his friend Scott Reyes’s photography of Harris that you won’t want to miss.
Did you grow up in Los Angeles?
Yeah I grew up multiple different areas around LA. Literally all over, from the South Bay to the Westside to the city.
What is the skate scene like out there?
The scene is cool, you can get along with almost anyone and everyone is straight ripping.
When did you first start skating?
I started skating at 13 but was always super into it before, I always liked watching skate vids and playing the games.
Who are some of the skaters you look up to?
I look up to Andrew Reynolds, Brad Cromer, Koston, Christian Hosoi and Dylan Rieder RIP. I really looked up to these guys’ style and the impact they made on skateboarding.
Did you catch King Of The Road’s first season with VICE? You ready for season 2?
HAHA – yeah that shit was mad wild, I always look forward to those.
Best spots to eat in LA?
I’m huge fan of sushi and Sushi Stop is one of my go-to’s in West LA.
I saw you have an Instagram strictly for your art, tell us about that.
Yeah, it’s called @durtwaves. I used to make really crazy drawings in class and decided to make a IG for it. I was going to school for graphic design so mixed the two together but I’ve been lacking on post.
How long have you been drawing?
My whole life I always had a passion for art.
I saw you posted pins, buttons, etc? Where can people purchase your merch?
I actually shut the store down, I didn’t have the time doing it all by myself and wanted to re-market my product. It sold out fast too, I still have more merch some people usually email me about it and I’ll just send it. But going to be dropping a new site and a variety of product soon.
Have you designed any skate merch for yourself?
I’ve made tons of grip art for myself. A lot of people wanted it, so I’m thinking of putting that in the mix when i start it up again.
How did you meet Scott Reyes? How long have you two been shooting together?
He shot me a while back randomly in Venice and met him again at Babylon and wanted to shoot more. I was really down so just went from there — really awesome dude.
Best skate spots in LA?
All the best spots are getting skate stopped, but I enjoy skating school yards and cruising around Downtown.
Have you been to NY yet? What did you do or want to do if you come?
Yup, I love NY. I skated out there 3 times this year. I have tons of friends up there — I’ll do some work and go skate right after all around the city or skate LES park and Tompkins. Would love to go back out soon.
Photography: Scott Reyes
Get passes to MADE Sydney on November 11-13 at Carriageworks to skate the Hubba Hideout competition. Experience more of Sydney’s culture of fashion, skate and music here.