In the 1990s, Dave Ortiz became the first employee of Zoo York, helping shape one of skateboarding’s most influential brands. Years earlier, while working with Eli (Zoo York) in New York’s meatpacking district, Dave noticed a small neighborhood shop called Dave’s Quality Veal. The name lingered. What began as a passing detail eventually became the foundation for a parody-driven concept, a butcher-themed sneaker, streetwear and skate store with an unapologetically bold name: Dave’s Quality Meat.
Through a partnership with Nike, Dave set out to produce a sneaker and selected the Air Max 90 silhouette for its comfort during long retail hours. Thus, the “Bacon” Air Max 90 was born. One of the most sought-after pairs in sneaker culture.
Hi Dave! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us and share your stories with our Singapore fans. How have you been lately?
I’m doing well, and thank you for having me.
How does it feel to leave the retail world behind and continue your journey purely as an artist today?
I’ve always been painting for many years, so it’s always nice to be doing what you love. Back then, running a store felt financially safer. Everything is getting more expensive now especially in New York City, it’s crazy. I never really believed in taking the “safe” route anyway.
New York is often seen as the ultimate destination for artists, musicians, designers, and creatives from all over the world. As someone born and raised there, how would you describe that experience?
Years ago, when you took the subway, you’d bump into all kinds of people. A designer might notice your style or vibe, and that’s how connections were made and collaborations happened.
Today, though, even if you’re in Singapore, you can create something, get really good at it, put your work out there, and be recognized from the other side of the world. So being in New York isn’t as necessary anymore, there are amazing people doing great things everywhere.
Before diving into DQM, can you share what led to the transition into Dave’s Wear House and eventually starting your bike company, Another Whip?
My business partner at DQM and I started having different visions. I was doing more playful, fun things, while he wanted DQM to move toward a cleaner, more minimal look. I think age played a part too and I was kind of growing out of that phase.
I grew up riding BMX, and coincidentally, I got connected with a bicycle manufacturer in Asia. That’s how I started my own line of fixed-gear bikes called Another Whip. We sold them for about $300 each, nothing fancy. That’s really where Dave’s Wear House began.
After that, I had the opportunity to run a distillery in Manhattan. I went from a skate shop, sneakers, and bikes into beverages. Our/New York vodka distillery was a partnership with Absolut. It was something New Yorkers were proud of, a true product of the city and it did well until things eventually changed. Funny thing is, I don’t even drink at that point of time. Haha. I just go wherever life takes me.
The Nike Air Max 90 “Bacon” is a landmark in sneaker culture. What was your reaction when Nike decided to rerelease it in 2021?
Nike called me and told me about it. When it first released in 2004, it was a limited edition. This time, I told them to produce as many pairs as possible so people who missed out before could finally get them.
It’s a shoe, I designed the Air Max 90 “Bacon” for people to wear and beat up. Once, I saw a stranger wearing them and told him his kicks were fly. He replied, “Yeah, it’s the “Bacon”—it’s limited edition.” He didn’t even know it was me, and I was totally fine with that. I was just happy to see people wearing them.
You’ve done many interviews about the creation of the Air Max 90 Bacon. We’ve read that the idea came together close to the submission deadline, inspired by grabbing a bacon, egg, and cheese from a deli. How does that moment tie back to the Dave’s Quality Meat concept?
To be honest, I didn’t even own a computer back then. I went to a friend’s house to help me with the design. He was freelancing for Nike and also doing work for Supreme and Stüssy at the time.
I hadn’t really started the design until I realized the submission was due the following Monday. I told him I’d be right back, went out to grab some bacon, egg, and cheese from a nearby deli, and brought it back to his place. That’s where everything came together, pantone swatches and actual strips of bacon.
Nike gave me the opportunity, and I made sure the design connected back to the butcher-themed skate shop we were running at the time. It had to be relatable to the Dave’s Quality Meat concept.
You’ve always emphasized function over fashion. If it hadn’t been the Air Max 90, which silhouette do you think would’ve worked best for the Bacon concept?
We actually created two other silhouettes for the Bacon project, Air Max 95 and the Huarache. If it wasn’t the Air Max 90, it probably would’ve been one of those two.
We know there were Friends & Family versions of the Air Max 90 Bacon with DQM branding on the tongue and a special box, while the general release had no DQM markings. What was the reason for that distinction?
I had about 48 pairs of the Friends & Family version. Those came with the DQM label on the tongue and a specially designed box in red, black, and gold.
Nike wasn’t completely sure how the collaboration would perform or how well it would sell, so they wanted to keep control over the general release. That’s why the DQM branding stayed exclusive to Friends & Family.
At one point, the resell market exploded, iconic sneakers became “hype” items selling for double or more of retail, often detached from their original stories. What are your thoughts on that shift?
It’s definitely a different era now and a different way things work. With today’s accessibility, everything can be done with just a click.
Back then, sneakerheads would make mandatory pilgrimage to New York just to visit stores like Nort/Recon, Clientele, and Bobbito’s Footwork, just to name a few. Reselling existed even back then, it just wasn’t what it is today. Our friends from Patta would come to New York, buy in bulk, bring everything back to Amsterdam, and resell it. We called that parallel importing in those days.
Would you ever want to visit Singapore, Dave? Any final words for aspiring creators out there?
Definitely! I’ve never been to Singapore before. Please hook me up. I’d love to do an art show there if the opportunity comes up.
My advice is simple, keep doing what you do best and keep getting better at it. And thank you to people like you, who preserve and share these stories from the past.
A Suave Cartel Media original series “SPEAKING WITH”
Interview with Dave Ortiz by Yojie Afura.
suavecartelmedia.com 