VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE #1: SEBAS "CHUBBY" STOUTENBEEK
by Eline Cordie
·
1. Name + what keeps you busy?
Sebas Stoutenbeek, co-founder, creative director and vibe manager of Very Special.
2. An item of clothing you've had forever and refuse to get rid of?
I have this vintage Woolrich hunting coat from the 70s. I bought it for $20 in vintage store in L.A. and go through phases where I don't wear it as much, but fall back in love with often. It really needs to be repaired at the moment.
4. Last book you couldn't put down/a book you re-read?
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams; a former Facebook employee who is getting sued by Meta for writing this book. The way power and wealth makes people act is stranger than fiction.

5. Something in your home you'd save in a fire?
Besides my wife and kids? My wife and daughter wil probably take the cats, so I'd probably take my Technics SL-V5 vertical turntable. Great Marktplaats find, for very little from some rich dude in Wassenaar (a posh town in The Netherlands, ed.).
6. A signature dish you cook all the time (or, if you don't cook, your favorite dish to eat at home or in a restaurant)?
I've made this just a couple of times, but I feel like I smash Hainanese Chicken Rice. I got it out of a Singaporean cookbook that my homie Esmond sent me. I've loved that dish since I had it in Singapore with him, but you can't get it here. It seems very simple, but it's a lot of work. I also make a killer Ragout Bolognese.
7. Ultimate, all-time dancefloor banger?
I would have to say Calling All Dancers by the legend Luca Lozano. During COVID my wife and I would play it at home and dance when we needed the kids to get rid of pent-up energy before bed. I Feel Love by Donna Summer is also up there, I've never not been hyped when that came on.
8. Have you ever been starstruck?
Yes, when I saw Ozzy Osbourne. He was completely out of it, sitting on a bench outside a random Christmas store in L.A., waiting for Sharon to be done inside. But I couldn't resist asking him to take a photo with me. That's the only time I've done that unironically, I genuinely wanted that photo. Black Sabbath is one of my all time favourite bands.

9. Got any hot takes? (for example: Oasis is overrated, playing loud music in public on your shitty phone speakers is fine, ankle socks are underrated, etc.)
Oysters are overrated. I love seafood and I think oysters are fine, I guess. But I mainly feel people make way too big a deal of 'em and I don't genuinely believe it's really about the taste, but more about the status. There is way better seafood with more complex taste out there.
10. Worst piece of advice you've ever received?
I can't think of an exact one, but I think every piece of advice that went against my gut feeling. I believe that if you follow what your instinct is telling you, it's always the best path. Even though occasionally the path will change direction. We tend to overthink instead of just doing what feels right and I think that holds a lot of people back.
11. Favorite visual artist, living or dead?
This is hard, because I feel your taste constantly evolves. But if I would have to name someone I think Kumi Sugai. It's very timeless and simple. Special shoutout to Eric Elms, I will always be a huge fan of his work.
*BONUS QUESTION*: your favorite item from our store?
Close call between the Metalwood Frankenstein Shirt And ECSTATIC Research Barn Jacket.