I’ve known Spencer Fujimoto for two decades now. We met in San Diego while he was on tour back in ”˜91. He was tiny but a natural born ripper. Throughout his career he skated for some heavy hitting companies, but when he had a part in World Industries 1992 video “Love Child” he really stepped up his game in the skateboard world. His professional career took off from there and graced the pages of many magazines, videos and commercials. Now he’s taken a new direction in skateboarding by starting a jewelry company called EL Señor based on iconic skate spots.

How has life been after skating professionally?
I’ve had some interesting jobs, from cleaning a bar, running a sneaker store, personal assistant, club promoting/production, to a team manager. The last three are 7 day a week gigs. It’s been a journey just like anything in life. You have to work hard to get what you want. Some things come easy and can get taken for granted, the things you have to work hard for are almost appreciated more.

How did you come up with the concept of El Señor?
I like to fill voids and fix problems. I wanted some EMB related jewelry. I couldn’t find any, and I started to think. First, what exactly am I looking for? I don’t want a block lettered two finger ring from Chinatown, so what do I want? The EMB plaque of old man Justin Herman for his plaza didn’t seem like a good idea, but the sign at Love is
so iconic, what could I do? When it hit me, it was so simple. A miniature sculpture of the actual spot. The next thought was, I can do this for a lot of spots, and it ballooned from there.

fs shuv p- Giovanni Reda Courtesy of Full Bleed Archives

What was your inspiration?
I’m inspired by where skateboarding came from, my generation of skaters, and where this next generation is taking it. I love the history, and what’s going on now is so progressive and crazy that I can only imagine what will be possible on a skateboard in the future. And even more so the opportunities available to a skater.

Why the name El Señor?
It’s Spanish for “The Mister”. It’s for the man, and if you’re a lady then it’s also for the man.It’s simple, dudes try and look fly for the ladies and the ladies look fly for us. It’s about skateboarding, luxury, and leisure.

bs 5-0 p- Giovanni Reda Courtesy of Full Bleed Archives

Did you come from a background of jewelers?
Not really, my mother is a sculptor and introduced me to art when I was really young. There was always all kinds of art shit around. I always gravitated towards sports and street shit so I skated and wrote graffiti. You get into minor trouble skating and a lil more serious writing graffiti and stealing shit. I was a junior in high school, and after one too many calls from the police station to my mom, she put me in the college that my step father was a professor at. He taught about five different art courses there and pulled some strings. That year moms had me on lock. I went to high school in the day and took art classes at night for that year. I refocused on skating after I finished what seemed like an ordeal. I guess everything happens for a reason. It was a blessing.

What is your technique on making the jewelry?
First, is a spot study. I look at old videos and photos and sit and reminisce by myself and with the homies, and then make a paper sketch. Then, I scratch/sketch the layout or image with a sharp dental tool on a block of carving wax and start cutting away. I use dental tools mostly but sometimes a utility or X-acto knife. The thought process is opposite of drawing or sculpting. Instead of adding to the piece with each stroke I take away. I imagine that it’s in there somewhere and I have to chisel it out and find it. I like to have a few pieces going at the same time. When the wax is finished I make a mold and pull a few sample pieces and choose one for the master mold for production.

What’s your favorite and hardest piece you had to make so far?
My favorite piece is the Christ Air Rising Sun pendant. I wasn’t sure if I could sculpt the details I wanted that small. It was during the blackout of Hurricane Sandy and I just said “Fuck it I got the whole day to try, and if it doesn’t work, oh well. I got tomorrow all day too, as long as it’s daytime.” That piece just clicked. I was done in like three days and the power was still out. And the most technical for me is one of the pieces I’m working on now. Can’t tell ya which spot yet.

p- Alex Corporan

When we were at Agenda earlier this year how did it feel giving Hosoi one of your pieces inspired by him?
I was siked and a lil nervous cause I’ve never met him. He was siked when he saw the piece. All I was thinking was, the piece means so much to me and my generation, I wonder how it would feel to be Hosoi.

What’s next for you?
Next season, hah. I’m working on opening new accounts, expanding the collection and with that the brand. I want to skate more. Be prepared to see some footy. I always dreamt of becoming a professional gambler, that hasn’t happened yet but I’m not counting it out. Maybe hit the lottery.

Any inspirational words you would like to share being a renaissance man?
Everyday is a new day, be who you want to be.