Interview by Rachel Gottesman

Hi Label... I mean Sam. Where does the name Label come from?

When I was young I used to do graffitti. Label was orginally my TAG. Or in other words, what I used to write up on the streets when I used to be a hoodlum. I was still using it when I joined Threadless back in 2002 so it's been my tag ever since.

And you never got arrested? Impressive.

I know. But I guess it had to do with the fact that I moved from country to country every 3 to 4 years.

Where did you live?

I lived a couple of years in the states. Miami, Florida to be more accurate. But I've also lived in several different countries in Latin America like Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina and of course my home country Mexico.



So which place was your favorite?

It's funny, as many people ask me the same question. I think I have always taken something special from each one so I really couldn't decide on a single one. Nightlife in Argentina, the beaches of Miami and Costa Rica, the people in Colombia. Each country is special in its own way.

Well they all sound warm, so I'm jealous.

How about "Vectorfuel", your website? Tell me all about that.

Well Vectorfuel is my visual playground and portfolio. Before 2003 I used to have this sister website called Pixelfuel. I had this obsession with pixels at the time. So I went on to create Vectorfuel. To my misfortune I lost control over my domain (Pixelfuel) and never got it back.

Lost control? Did someone steal your identity? Are you the REAL Sam?

Hahaha, almost. I just forgot to pay and it got jacked by somebody with the right money.

Sam I am.

I am Sam.

I eat green eggs and ham.

Oh, good. That's a relief. You had me going for a minute there...

So due to your company name, are you strictly a vector guy? Do you make any other kinds of art? How about performance art, you seem like an "interpretive dance" kind of guy to me.



Hahaha... Well I used to do plays at my high school. I once got the part in this musical called Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I was Joseph.

Trust me, I love colors. But that coat was just too much.

So your budding acting career never fully bloomed.

Nope. I once thought I could be the next Antonio Banderas but I guess the fact that I can't grow any facial hair didn't help me at all.

Yeah, that hairy/suave balance is tricky to pull off.

You're a photographer too, right?

Yes I love photography. My new passion.

Is that a hobby, or an obsession?

A little bit of both. It all started as a hobby and later became an obsession. I thought drawing stick figures in paint was a hobby. Look where I'm stuck now!

You've been on Threadless for a long time now. You're a Threadless dinosaur! What's your most memorable moment?

Yes I know. Although if you are going to call me a dinosaur, I want to be one of those cool raptors that spit that green gak.

So my most memorable moments on Threadless... The first time I won was truly awesome. I got an email from Craig. I think I still have it saved somewhere.



You saved the email? Are you going to print it out and frame it?

I actually do have it framed!

No way.

If I ever go to Chicago I'll take it with me and have Craig sign it.



I've seen many changes in Threadless over the past few years. Layout changes. Blogs. SWP. Food With Faces. I've pretty much almost have seen it all. I feel like a gramps when I say this but "I remember Threadless when there where no blogs. Only this funny forum like section where you posted stuff but and that was it."

Let's wrap this up by you telling me your most awesome joke. Ready, go!

Ok its in spanish, so sorry folks.

Como suena un pez que se tira del decimo piso de un apartamento?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Tun!

Wow. I've never laughed so hard in my life.

...

Thanks for chatting!

Denada! Adios!

Interview by Rachel Gottesman

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