Good news! There’s a new skate bowl in central London
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Sam Ashley, for Mighty Mighty
By now, skateboarding’s relationship with fashion is common knowledge. While subcultures across the world have long found themselves entangled with the fashion industry, few have infiltrated in the way that skate has.
In that sense, it feels wholly appropriate that there’s a new skate bowl opening in Selfridge’s London, which serves as a literal embodiment of the way in which skate culture has entangled itself within the world of high fashion.
Created by sports and lifestyle agency Mighty Mighty – in collaboration with designers Brinkworth and ramp builders FourOneFour – it’s housed on the store’s first floor, within the newly opened “Designer Street Room.”
“Skateboarding and fashion have always been bedfellows and while skating traditionally shunned the advances of of big labels and institutions, the last few years have seen a coming together that embraces legitimacy in a way we haven’t seen before,” said Phil Young, founder of Mighty Mighty.
“Brands are realising that there is a wealth of talent and creativity in skateboarding and are working with skaters as equals, rather than merely poaching elements of the culture for their own ends.”
In and among the perpetual cycle of grim forecasts and dystopian developments, it’s a welcome slice of Good News: London’s skateboarders have a new place to shred, Selfridge’s has an exciting new cultural hub, while skate and fashion can continue on their elongated honeymoon, hand in hand.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
The party starters fighting to revive Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival
Free the Stones! delves into the vibrant community that reignites Stonehenge’s Solstice Free Festival, a celebration suppressed for nearly four decades.
Written by: Laura Witucka
Hypnotic Scenes of 90s London Nightlife
Legendary photographer Eddie Otchere looks back at this epic chapter of the capital’s story in new photobook ‘Metalheadz, Blue Note London 1994–1996’
Written by: Miss Rosen
The White Pube: “Artists are skint, knackered and sharing the same 20 quid”
We caught up with the two art rebels to chat about their journey, playing the game that they hate, and why anarchism might be the solution to all of art’s (and the wider world’s) problems.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The Chinese youth movement ditching big cities for the coast
In ’Fissure of a Sweetdream’ photographer Jialin Yan documents the growing number of Chinese young people turning their backs on careerist grind in favour of a slower pace of life on Hainan Island.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The LGBT Travellers fundraising for survival
This Christmas, Traveller Pride are raising money to continue supporting LGBT Travellers (used inclusively) across the country through the festive season and on into next year, here’s how you can support them.
Written by: Percy Henderson
The fight to save Bristol’s radical heart
As the city’s Turbo Island comes under threat activists and community members are rallying round to try and stop the tide of gentrification.
Written by: Ruby Conway