Audacious. Intimidating. Dominant. These are characteristics that describe many of the professional athletes Silver Star Casting Company sponsors, such as UFC superstars Rashad Evans, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre. But to owners Luke Burrett and his wife, Charis B., these adjectives also typify the Southern Cali attitude imbued in the clothing made by the Orange County-based company. Now best known for its attention grabbing, graphic T-shirts, Silver Star began its existence in 1993 making sterling silver jewelry. However, it wasn’t until Burrett merged his love for mixed martial arts (MMA) with the idea of turning Silver Star into an apparel company that things really took off.

The pivotal moment for the company took place at UFC 92 as the lights lay low, awaiting Rashad’s introduction in the main event against then-champion Forrest Griffin. As the beat from KRS-One’s old-school hip-hop classic, “Step Into A World,” dropped, the lights came on and Evans walked in sporting a Silver Star T-shirt, bobbing his head with a swagger that helped carry him to both a victory and the world championship that night. The badass aura Rashad projected is precisely what Burrett wanted to convey to millions of UFC fans watching at home. DUB visited the Burrett’s San Juan Capistrano estate (they own two houses adjacent to each other), as Luke recalled Silver Star Casting Company’s transformation into one of the UFC’s signature clothing sponsors.

Can you describe Silver Star’s origins as a jewelry company?
My whole business was really inspired by cars. We started out selling custom car emblem rings: Impala, Cadillac, Ford and Lincoln—pretty much all the different car companies that [are considered] lowriders. We used to go set up at car shows and sell our sterling silver jewelry.

How did the transition into making clothing instead of rings start?
I watched other companies get huge doing T-shirts. [Since] people liked my jewelry they started buying the T-shirts. I started getting that name recognition and thought, “Why am I even doing rings?” Now we have a Hot Rod [T-shirt] collection, we have a custom car collection and an MMA collection.

While we’re on the subject of cars, what are some your favorite things about your rides?
On my 2007 Bentley Continental, MHT did a special edition [wheel] with red inners and matte black outers, so to me that was a little bit different. I have a 2009 Sport Chassis and that thing’s just done to the hilt. Whenever you have the turn signal on, there’s a camera on each side that shows up on the monitor. It’s a monster truck. You’ve never seen a truck like this ever. I can’t even begin to tell you all the options.

What’s your sentimental favorite out of all your whips?
I have a 1967 Bonneville. It has a big-block 400, customized with air bags, and it’s repainted. [Laughs] I got Bonnie and Clyde on the license plate for me and my wife. That vehicle to me is a special vehicle. You just don’t see a lot of 1967 Bonnevilles. In fact, I’ve never seen one on the streets. And it kind of looks like a Riviera and Impala mixed, and I really like both those cars.

Although you now sponsor many top MMA fighters, there seems to be somewhat of a rock and roll/music influence to your brand. What musicians have influenced your company’s style?
We did some stuff with Cypress Hill and those guys. Tommy Lee is a good friend of mine, and he definitely has an influence on the rock and roll aspects [of the clothing brand]. Me and Travis [Barker] had our days together, too. He has inspired me, as well.