When art, food, and fashion collide, we will be there. Certified Letter Boy (CLB), the most sought-after tattoo artist in the UK right now, has teamed up with viral chicken shop “Dave’s Hot Chicken” for an exclusive streetwear capsule launching on 5th March. With just 250 pieces available, this might just be a hot one.
Certified Letter Boy
Pablo Gutierrez, known as Certified Letter Boy, has tattooed some of the biggest names in the game, from David Beckham, Central Cee to Rick Owens and the late Liam Payne. His signature fine-line artistry, dark aesthetic, and 18-month-long waitlist have earned him a cult-like following. Now, he’s bringing his signature style to the world of fashion.
CLB’s debut streetwear collection features hoodies, tees, and caps, each emblazoned with an exclusive design: his iconic Grim Reaper looming over a flaming cauldron of hot chicken. The imagery pays homage to Dave’s infamous ‘Reaper’ spice level, so hot, it requires a waiver before consumption.
One Night Only
This limited-edition collection will be available exclusively at a one-night-only pop-up at Dave’s Hot Chicken on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. First come, first served. And with prices set to match the cost of a Dave’s meal, this is one of the most accessible streetwear drops of the year:
🔥 Cap: £12.49 (equivalent to a Dave’s 1-3 meal)
🔥 T-shirt: £15.45 (equivalent to a Dave’s 1-3 + soft drink)
🔥 Hoodie: £16.48 (equivalent to a Dave’s 1-3 + top-loaded shake)
Lucky customers will not only score exclusive merch but also receive a meal with their purchase.
Why This Collab Works
Beyond the shared love for heat, CLB and Dave’s Hot Chicken both embody a rebellious, underground spirit. With Drake as an investor, the Nashville-style chicken brand has skyrocketed from an East Hollywood parking lot to global fame. CLB’s artistic vision seamlessly aligns with Dave’s story of hustling from the streets to stardom.
In 2017, three childhood friends, Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan—scraped together $900 to launch Dave’s Hot Chicken in a parking lot, armed with portable fryers and folding tables. It quickly blew up, leading to an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar location with backing from Tommy’s brother, Gary.
By 2019, the team struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, to franchise the brand. Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, Drake, joined as an investor, and today, Dave’s Hot Chicken has sold the rights to over 1,000 franchise locations across the U.S., Middle East, and Canada, with 80+ new locations set to open this year. As an early Eater LA blog once said, the mission is simple: “Blow their minds.”
Certified Letter Boy: – “Dave’s Hot Chicken’s ‘Reaper’ is no joke, you have to sign a waiver just to eat it. That felt like the perfect visual metaphor for this collab. Tattoos and spicy food both bring a little pain, but it’s all part of the experience. I love collabs that make sense, and this one just does.”
See you there…
This collaboration is a meeting of two underground powerhouses that have risen to cult status. Certified Letter Boy’s ink and Dave’s Hot Chicken’s heat both demand a level of commitment, and now, they’re giving fans something tangible to take home. With only 250 pieces available and prices as spicy as the food itself, get yourself down to Shaftesbury Avenue on March 5th or miss out.
