911 Love: Jeff Staple
In 2005, fashion designer Jeff Staple triggered a hype with the Nike “Pigeon Dunk” sneaker. Today, the limited-edition shoe is worth around 96,000 US dollars. In 911 Love, Staple talks about his passion for Porsche.
Jeff Ng – better known by his pseudonym, Jeff Staple – has pursued a single goal since his childhood: to be visible. As the son of two Chinese immigrants, he always felt different from everyone else in 1970s New York City. Inspired by urban graffiti and American sports culture early in his life, Staple began designing T-shirts by hand and giving them to friends, with the aim of promoting his streetwear art. And the plan worked. Staple was finally seen in 1997, when he entered the trendy boutique triple5soul in the Lower East Side with one of his shirts and the store purchased his individual pieces. Additional orders soon followed, and the designer founded the Staple streetwear label. He made the pigeon the trademark of his collection, which he himself describes as the “underdog hustler of New York City.” Staple’s breakthrough came when he began collaborating with renowned brands. With its release in 2005, the Nike Pigeon Dunk sneaker designed by Staple generated huge buzz and has been treated as a collector’s piece ever since, with a current market value of around 96,000 US dollars per pair. In his book, Not Just Sneakers, which was published in 2022, Staple takes a look back at his career, his designs, and his influence on streetwear culture.
What is love?
Living in the moment.
How are you?
I feel blessed, as I turned 50 recently.
The Porsche 911 in three words?
Mean. Crafted. Iconic.
Which simple things can make you happy?
An Americano. A walk. A sunset.
What would you never do in a 911?
Eat.
What’s your favorite road?
The Pacific Coast Highway.
What can distract you?
Comparing myself to others.
Three things you would take to a desert island?
My soulmate, my dog, and a satellite phone.
Is there a historical figure you admire?
Bruce Lee.
What on a 911 could you do without?
The back seats.
And what couldn’t you?
The engine.
What music did you wake upto this morning?
Birds chirping.
Your favorite film?
Shawshank Redemption by Frank Darabont.
Your favorite book?
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami.
Where do you long to be?
Home.
Your most treasured possession?
An original pair of Nike SB Dunk Low Staple Pigeons.
Your secret?
I’ve been reincarnated. Twice.
The 911 moment of your life?
Seeing it for the first time.
Your best advice?
There’s only two choices in life. You either get busy living. Or you get busy dying. (That’s from my favorite movie.)
What would no one expect of you?
How much I value being completely alone.
Jeff Staple
Born: 1975
Residence: New York City/Los Angeles
Profession: Entrepreneur and fashion designer
Porsche: 911 Carrera S (997)
