Get to Know Opus Footwear and Owner Mirko Mangum
Mirko Mangum's career as a pro skater was bright—coming up out of San Diego, riding for high profile companies like Planet Earth, traveling to the European contests in the summers and placing well, getting clips in 411s, classic photos in all the mags—but all this also set him up for a career in the skate industry after the professional days faded. Mirko's worked for C1RCA, Zoo York, Black Box, among others. Now he's got his own baby, Opus Footwear, which you can find stocked in skater-owned shops all over. The Platfrm did a nice profile video piece with Mirko you can watch below.
"Mirko Mangum started skating at age 12 in El Cajon outside of San Diego, California and, with the help of solid influences and legendary support, he has been a lifer ever since. Naturally, though, after turning pro on the board the breakdown of the body began. He refers to it as when he “retired physically, not financially” as his entrepreneurial spirit took hold. He started working in-house at Planet Earth (after riding for the brand professionally) and received the ultimate first-hand learning experience for how to run a proper business in skateboarding. Mirko took more than notes, though. After seven or so years at Planet Earth he popped off with other friends to create their own clothing brand in ALPHANUMERIC. Then he took a position with C1RCA focused on setting up the ultimate team with the likes of Jamie Thomas and Chad Muska. Next came the Blackbox Days, before Zoo York, and then Univ, Whatever distribution, and a role at Vans… At this point, if you want to hear Mirko’s full story and the origins of his latest skate company, watch this episode of CORE: Opus Footwear’s Mirko Magnum."
Those El Cajon Courthouse clips are classic, as are the Greyhound bumps footage. Classic SD stuff. The TWS Check Out photo is insane! Big one footer at Jump Ramp School.
Pretty rad to hear the story of the genesis of Alphanumeric. The Video Radio tour and video were epic. Go peep that vid again.
No matter what shoes you buy next, support your local skateshop!
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