How FTP’s Zac Clark Built His Streetwear Brand Without Selling Out

With a resurgent Dixon and Colden’s tech skating on its side, FTP is even working on a skate video, offering Clark another opportunity to subvert expectations and play with perceptions of his brand. “It might be called, like, This is Not a Skate Video,” Clark says about his forthcoming project, recalling the sharp, self-deprecating humor that would be familiar to any ’90s skateboarder. 

But a video isn’t the only skate-related move Clark’s making at FTP right now. He’s also got two shoes dropping with core skate shoe company Lakai sometime around the middle of 2020. Unlike past releases with DC Shoes and Huf footwear, this will be no mere collaboration. Instead, Clark’s planned the Lakai drops to help FTP celebrate its 10th year of business. “The concept of one of the shoes is around the whole 10-year anniversary, some black and gold stuff going in there,” Clark says. To Clark, gold is the color of success, “a trophy color,” and one he intends to spread all over the rest of his limited FTP 10th anniversary gear. 

And though Clark calls Lakai “super dope” and notes he’s “thankful to work with them,” he also says it’s been frustrating having bigger corporate brands turn down FTP collaborations due to the company’s name. “I would love to do a Converse,” Clark says. “All I need is a chance at one of those companies.” 

Beyond the Lakais, Clark will be releasing FTP 10-year-anniversary merch throughout 2020, when and where he wants. “We’re going to spread it throughout the whole year, probably all the way up until December 2020,” he says. To that end, Clark’s also considering opening up a temporary store for FTP’s 10th anniversary. But, true to FTP’s radical spirit, Clark doesn’t want it to be any old pop-up. Instead, he says this FTP brick-and-mortar location might exist for six months or so and only be open Friday through Saturday. “I don’t want somebody to just be able to walk in and buy FTP. You know, like, I don’t want them to be able to buy it Monday through Friday,” he says. “I want it to be like an experience. You have to go on this day, between these hours.”