INTERVIEW with DVS Brand Manager Craig Chimile

Interviewed by: Matt Bauer Web Editor

In your experiences what is the biggest obstacle in collaboration? With that said what is the biggest benefit?
Scheduling is always challenging, especially when you’re dealing with multiple brands and parties involved. Obviously coming up with a relevant concept for a project that is within the scope of all brands collaborating is challenging as well. However once the ideas are on the table and everyone agrees then it’s go time.

The biggest benefit is the partnership and befriending individuals that I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work with otherwise. That, along with the finished product is the most rewarding.

What was it like to work with such creative minds like Huf and Ray?
It was great. Both Huf and Ray grew up together so they have history along with the creative to really come up with fresh ideas. Not to mention they are both OG New York heads who contributed to making skateboarding and the culture what it is today. It’s pretty much a win all the way around.

Did the process move smoother than usual due to their design backgrounds?
Definitely. Ray already had concepts in mind of what he wanted to do. It just comes back to your first question as far as obstacles. Both Ray and Huf own very respectable brands (Huf & Mighty Healthy) so trying to pin these guys down at the same time is tough. Let’s just say without iChat this project never would have happened.

It was rad to see Xavier High as the influence of the color scheme of the shoe. Were there any other unique inspirations in this project?
Well initially we were only going to do the runner but then the project didn’t really feel finished. That’s when we decided to add in the mid-top silhouette and tie them both together with a reversible vest. The reversible vest matches each color of the corresponding silhouette but still brings a winter city vibe to really complete the project.

It’s refreshing to see a running shoe design break through the traditional skate shoe mold. What was the idea behind it?
Well even personally growing up I always wanted something comfortable to wear after we were done skating. That same philosophy is still relevant today but now there are plenty of options for kids to choose from. It’s just a matter what of what brand or rider you want to support. However, Huf is probably one of the only people in skateboarding that actually has the influence to sell a shoe in this category.

Lastly, does a job at DVS lead to having shoes littering your household? Do any grace the walls of your place?
Let’s just say if you are sample size then you can come up on some pretty good colors that don’t actually make the line. Definitely never a lack of shoes around the house but putting together an ensemble to match them is a whole other story.

Mucho gracias Craig and the others at DVS for the inside scoop on the Mighty Healthy / Huf Collaboration

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