Meet Steve Olson, legendary skateboarding champion and icon who defined the scene in the '70s and '80s, and contemporary artist. Today, we're sitting down with him in sunny L.A., where he grew up surfing and skateboarding in Orange County before local skate parks even existed. We talked about his life, his work, the city that shaped him, and the people and things he treasures.

From skateboarder to punk rocker to contemporary artist, Steve Olson has shown the world many faces throughout his career. Yet upon meeting him, you quickly sense a dynamic, spontaneous energy that seems to have been there through it all.

It began in Steve's childhood, surfing and skating around the neighborhood with his brother on boards they received as Christmas gifts, honing his vertical skills in drained swimming pools across L.A. By 16, he'd entered the professional skating scene, his career taking off as he made magazine covers and won championships.

Perhaps what set Steve apart was his genre-defying presence—a gravity that, combined with a certain unfiltered ethos, draws people in. He’s credited as one of the pioneers who bridged skateboarding and punk rock when few others saw the connection, becoming one of the scene's defining figures. In the early '80s, he channeled his creative force into visual art: paintings, sculptures, assemblage pieces. The movement and speed felt in his work mirror the energy ever present in his person—especially when he takes off on his board.

Yet beneath the constant motion is a reverence for his roots and deep groundedness in family and community. Though Steve lives outside L.A. today, he visits often, spending time with his loved ones across the city and revisiting the spots that shaped him. The people Steve treasures remain an essential pillar of his life.

And L.A. itself is still the tapestry of his creative life. "We have glam. We have pizzaz," he says of the city. "It's fabulous." When asked where his creativity comes from, his answer is simple: "It just comes. It makes itself available when it's right."

With its flexible capacity, lightweight construction, and effortless fastening, the Rolltop Backpack balances refinement and versatility. As the leather matures, it softens and develops a subtle sheen, deepening with every use. Two button fasteners on the top straps create a stylish loop handle for an alternative carrying style.

"Around the world is where this bag will travel with me," Steve says, swinging it over one shoulder, skateboard at his feet.