Written by Berto.
Frank 151 talks with founders Mirko Mangum & Dennys Han
There’s something to be said about longevity in skateboarding. Not just surviving it—but evolving with it. From the shop floors and sponsor-me tapes of the late ’80s to designing footwear for some of the biggest brands in the game, Mirko Mangum and Dennys Han have lived multiple lifetimes within skate culture.
Now, with Opus Footwear, they’re channeling all of that experience into something that feels both personal and necessary: a skater-owned, skater-operated brand built on authenticity, function, and a genuine love for the culture.
We caught up with the duo to talk history, design philosophy, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in today’s skate landscape.
Let’s get into it.
FRANK 151: Give us a background of your history in the industry.
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: I got into the skate industry when I had the opportunity to help start a shoe brand called Memphis Collection. At the time, bulky shoes like the D3 were popular, but we wanted to create something slimmer and more minimal while still staying true to core skateboarding.
After that, I joined Lakai for about a year, then moved on to Sole Technology where I became the lead footwear designer for Etnies. I worked across skate, BMX, sandals—pretty much everything. I also did projects for éS, Emerica, and ThirtyTwo snowboard boots.
Later I worked with Generic Surplus/Generic Man, which was my first step outside core skate footwear, pushing more into lifestyle. My last full-time role was at HUF, working closely with Keith Hufnagel. During my time there, I helped relaunch their footwear program.
Mirko: I’ve been in the industry for about 35 years. Started as a sponsored skater, then went pro, then “retired physically—not financially”—at 24.
I worked at Planet Earth Skateboards, and before that at shops like The Perfect Wave and Awesome Sports in El Cajon. I was also around Gullwing back in the late ’80s/early ’90s watching sponsor-me tapes. That’s kinda my snapshot of the skate industry.
Dennys Han
FRANK 151: Dennys—what brought you and Mirko together for Opus?
OPUS FOOTWEAR:
Dennys: We met at the start of COVID through a mutual friend and ended up talking for like two hours straight. It felt like we’d known each other forever.
We realized we had really similar ideas about design, product, and how a footwear brand should be built. With our combined experience, it just made sense. Timing played a big role—it just felt right.
FRANK 151: What are your individual responsibilities within the brand?
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: I focus on footwear design—overseeing development and shaping the overall product direction. I’m also involved in promoting the brand locally in Highland Park.
My wife and I run a retail shop in Chinatown, and we support Opus there too, especially on the lifestyle side. It’s important to me that Opus lives in both worlds—skate and lifestyle.
Mirko: Sales, marketing, design collaboration, logistics, banking, finance, customer service… all of it.
FRANK 151: Dennys, where do you draw inspiration from when designing?
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: Early on, I looked at other brands for inspiration. But as those brands became competition, my perspective shifted.
Traveling changed things for me—I started getting into architecture, museums, art, and design. I also collect art books, which opened up a whole new set of references outside skateboarding. That broader view really shapes how I approach design now.
FRANK 151: There’s a tribute to Keith Hufnagel in the insole. That’s heavy.
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: Keith was the best. I’ll always value the time I spent working with him.
You always hear “never meet your heroes,” but he was the opposite. He lived up to everything people admired about him.
Mirko Mangum
FRANK 151: Is design input split 50/50?
OPUS FOOTWEAR:
Dennys: We’re constantly communicating—refining details, working with factories, improving performance. It’s very collaborative.
Mirko: For the first collection, we looked at shoes we loved skating in over the years and figured out how to refine them—make better versions with our own twist.
FRANK 151: Mirko, how do you communicate Opus’ message through marketing?
OPUS FOOTWEAR:
Mirko: Our ethos is simple: Do good shit with good people and good things will come.
FRANK 151: How’s the response been so far?
OPUS FOOTWEAR:
Mirko: It varies city to city. Every place has its own reason for supporting the brand.
In San Diego, it might be because we’re local. In the Northeast, maybe it’s because we offer a solid shoe under $75. In Nashville, maybe it’s because we sponsor local kids.
People connect for different reasons.
FRANK 151: Dennys—cupsole or vulc? How does that affect design?
OPUS FOOTWEAR:
Dennys: Honestly, not much difference in the design process. It always comes down to performance. The goal is making sure the shoe skates the way it should.
FRANK 151: Anything you can share about what’s coming in ’26?
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: I’ll be heading to China to work with factories on new materials and innovations. We’re always pushing to improve while staying true to the brand.
Mirko: Everything’s in the works for ’26… new shoes, fabrics, ideas.
We started with vulcs, then added cupsoles, now we’re looking at weather-proof options. Not everyone lives in Southern California—people in Norway, Sweden, Jersey—they need different things.
We’re also doing a one-off shoebox design with Lionel Milton, with profits going to Freedom Skatepark Foundation in Jamaica. Later, John McGuire will be doing one too.
FRANK 151: With so many brands out there, why Opus?
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Mirko: Could be price, materials, fit. Could be that we’re independent. Could be free shipping. Could be the people behind the brand.
Everyone has their own reason—we just try to give them a hundred reasons to rock with us.
FRANK 151: Any last words?
OPUS FOOTWEAR: Dennys: Skateboarders should support skateboard companies.
Mirko: Shoutout to the whole skate world—past, present, future.
From the old heads keeping it real to the kids coming up now—it’s all connected. Skateboarding gave me everything. It’s not just skating—it’s how you see life, how you treat people, respecting the past and leaving things better than you found them.
That foundation… that came from skateboarding.
There you have it. Big thanks to Mirko and Dennys for taking the time.
Tap in with Opus Footwear and see what they’re building—this one’s coming from the right place.