About Contraband

Spider Michaels first conceived the idea for Contraband Clothing Company in 1992 while living in Los Angeles, California. He envisioned a pirate‑themed apparel brand built around bold designs and aimed at individuals who live outside conventional norms.

Over the following years, he continued developing the brand while working in motorsports alongside prominent NASCAR figures such as Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. During this period, he refined his creative direction and worked through numerous challenges in defining what he wanted Contraband to represent.

A key element of his business plan was offering customers more than merchandise. He wanted Contraband to serve as a platform for engaging media — photography, video, and written content — that reflected his experiences and interests. His goal was to provide audiences with compelling, entertaining, and occasionally educational material in addition to high‑quality products.

Bringing this vision to life required decades of persistence, multiple redevelopment attempts, and significant financial investment. Advances in technology eventually made it possible for him to deliver the extensive media he had collected through years of travel across the United States and Europe. 

Today, more than 25 external services support the infrastructure behind Contraband, each contributing to the brand’s digital ecosystem.

Spider’s central hub, The STORM Factory, now connects visitors to his photography, videography, travel writing, and the books he has authored about his adventures. It also links to three online stores, including Amazon, where Contraband merchandise is available.

After more than thirty years of dedication, Spider Michaels has positioned Contraband exactly where he envisioned it — as a distinctive online brand with a strong presence and a loyal audience. He continues to expand the company by creating new designs that resonate with the extreme‑sports and alternative‑lifestyle communities that appreciate his work.

CONTRABAND: "Building an Empire one satisfied customer at a time."