Shaquille O’Neal’s Supermodel Son and Thousands Mourn Tragic Death of Fashion Icon, Whose Lakers Collab Turned Heads in 2021

Tragedy struck Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. In a car accident that happened on Sunday, the founder of Born x Raised, which became a fixture in Los Angeles’s fashion scene, lost his life. The 42-year-old fashion icon’s brand even collaborated with major sports franchises in the city, such as the Lakers, Dodgers, and Rams over the years. Tributes poured in from around the world after the sad news came to light. Shaquille O’Neal’s son Myles O’Neal, who himself is a model and fashion enthusiast, took to social media to mourn the tragic passing of the designer.

The 42-year-old launched the brand a decade ago by teaming up with Alex “2Tone” Erdmann. They aimed to honor and protect their beloved hometown of Venice, California.

Shaquille O’Neal’s son and the world mourn the loss of Born x Raised co-founder

Chris Printup, also known as Spanto, tragically passed away on Wednesday morning from the injuries he sustained in the car crash. Printup’s Born x Raised has collaborated with renowned brands in the past, such as New Era, Converse. They also launched a memorable collection with championship-winning Los Angeles sports teams back in 2020 and 2021.

Myles O’Neal took to Instagram and shared a heartwarming message for the late fashion icon. He wrote, “A Real WestCoast Legend RIP brother.” In 2013, Chris Printup was diagnosed with terminal cancer, only a month after starting Born x Raised. However, in 2018, he triumphantly announced that he was cancer-free.

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A few weeks ago, in an Instagram post filled with gratitude, he reflected on his life and healing journey. After his passing, the same post got numerous comments from all over the world. One fan said, “Thanks for all you did for the culture.”

Another fan said, “Spanto… we love you forever hermano.” The brand even released an exclusive streetwear collection that honored a significant moment in Los Angeles sports history in 2021.

The City of Champs Collection put Born x Raised in special territory

2020 was a special year for the LA sports teams. While the Lakers won their 17th NBA championship, the Dodgers won their first World Series title after 32 years. Born x Raised became the only brand to collaborate with both teams to celebrate their championships.

“The championships are something we will celebrate for a long time, and Born X Raised is the first official partner to bring both teams together. We are excited to be doing something that has never been done, again,” Printup said as per the LA Times. The City of Champs collection included t-shirts, sweatshirts, and a cap. However, they weren’t the only two LA-based teams to have partnered with Born x Raised.

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The brand’s earlier collection with the Los Angeles Rams sold out in minutes, and that was the case again with the Lakers and Dodgers. While Printup has sadly passed away, the brand will hope to continue to honor his legacy.