Born X Raised is not just a streetwear label — it’s a cultural institution born from the heart of Los Angeles. Since its founding in 2013, Born X Raised has evolved into a symbol of identity, community, and resistance, particularly for those who understand the deeper layers of what it means to be from the streets of LA. It stands for authenticity, pride, and remembering the past while staying firmly rooted in the present.
At its core, Born X Raised captures the unique voice of neighborhoods that often go unheard. It expresses what it means to grow up in a city that is constantly changing, gentrifying, and reshaping itself. For many, wearing Born X Raised is not just a fashion choice—it’s a way of saying, “This is where I come from.”
The Founding: From Pain and Loss to Purpose
The story of Born X Raised begins with two individuals—Spanto (Brandon Anderson) and 2Tone (Alex Erdmann)—both born and raised in Venice, California. They created the brand as a response to the cultural erasure they saw happening in their hometown. As Venice became increasingly gentrified, long-time residents were being pushed out, and their culture was vanishing. Spanto, in particular, had deep personal ties to the old Venice—a place filled with contradictions, community, violence, pride, and family.
Tragedy hit early in the brand’s story when Spanto was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Though given a limited time to live, he survived and channeled his energy into the brand. His battle infused Born X Raised with urgency, emotion, and a raw edge that can be felt in every design and campaign. Sadly, Spanto passed away in 2023, but his legacy remains a guiding force for the brand and its supporters.
Style and Symbolism: Aesthetic With a Message
Bornxraised hoodie doesn’t just follow trends—it builds its own language through clothes. Its typography, color palettes, and designs are often inspired by old Los Angeles: the fonts of local taco stands, the signage of defunct nightclubs, and the graffiti-stained alleyways that carry stories no tourist ever hears. Every piece feels deliberate, as if it carries an invisible weight.
The phrase “Born X Raised” itself is more than a name—it’s a declaration. It signals pride in one’s roots, whether that’s a specific city, a community, or a way of life. Many of the brand’s pieces carry heavy cultural symbolism: homages to Native land, Chicano pride, street politics, and the clash between tradition and capitalism. Even the “X” in the name suggests resistance—a refusal to be defined or erased.
Collaboration and Influence
Though it started as an independent brand, Born X Raised has managed to grow while staying true to its original values. Its collaborations have been thoughtful and impactful, never forced. Partnerships with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Lakers, and Nike brought its gritty LA style to a global audience without watering it down.
What sets Born X Raised apart in these collaborations is how it brings authenticity to big platforms. A Dodgers cap reimagined through Born X Raised isn’t just a fashionable item—it tells the story of the people who grew up watching games from the rooftops of East LA or selling peanuts outside the stadium gates.
Through these collabs, the brand has become more than a local legend. It now speaks to a wider audience that respects its roots and appreciates the story it tells.
Cultural Impact: Voice of the Voiceless
Born X Raised serves as a cultural microphone for communities often left out of mainstream narratives. Its campaigns frequently highlight individuals and causes that represent the “forgotten LA”—the Black and Brown communities, the native people, the working class, the houseless, and those impacted by incarceration or addiction.
The brand doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. It embraces pain, resilience, and history. It shows that fashion can be a vehicle for storytelling, a method of archiving lived experience, and a way of reclaiming pride in neighborhoods that society tries to erase.
Many of its photo shoots take place in the streets, barbershops, basketball courts, and homes of real people, not professional models. These images don’t just sell clothes—they tell stories, sometimes joyful, sometimes bitter, but always real.
Challenges and Authenticity in a Changing Industry
As streetwear has exploded in popularity over the last decade, many brands have commercialized their aesthetics, losing the soul that once made them special. Born X Raised has resisted this trap by staying laser-focused on its mission. It doesn’t release endless drops to chase hype. Instead, it curates collections that actually mean something to the people they represent.
That said, growth has come with its own challenges. Remaining authentic while expanding reach is not easy, especially in an industry that often favors hype over history. But Born X Raised has navigated that balance better than most by refusing to compromise. Its voice remains sharp, its vision intact.
Legacy of Spanto: The Heart That Keeps Beating
Spanto’s death was a devastating blow not just to the brand but to the entire LA community. He wasn’t just a designer—he was a storyteller, a fighter, and a cultural historian. After his passing, tributes poured in from all over the world, a testament to the lives he touched through his work and his message.
His legacy lives on in every stitch, every campaign, and every piece of fabric that carries the name “Born X Raised.” The brand continues to honor him by staying true to the mission: preserving identity, telling the truth, and never forgetting where you come from.
Conclusion: A Brand With Roots and Reason
Born X Raised is more than fashion—it’s a movement. It captures the raw, complex, and beautiful essence of life in Los Angeles. It’s a love letter to neighborhoods under threat, a protest against forgetting, and a reminder that our past shapes who we are.
