Lane Crawford has collaborated with four international artists, Sorayama, Craig & Karl, Pose and Zebu, on a series of globally exclusive skateboards. The collection harnesses each artist’s distinctive style, while highlighting fashion’s fascination with skate culture.
On the surface, fashion and skate culture appear almost dichotomous in their view, but in reality the gritty sub-culture that surrounds skateboarding has edged its way into designer collections including Hermès, Pucci and Dior Homme in recent years. As Brian Siswojo, founder of boutique skate shop 8FIVE2, explains, “To me skateboarders have always been non-purposefully influencing fashion in general since the very beginning simply because they wear what they like and what makes them feel good without following the trend or hype. They set the trend not follow it. That’s what makes skateboarders so unique and fashion gravitates to that.”
The popular subculture’s influence expands far beyond the realms of fashion into art, where collectors now display skate decks like prized pieces of art. Siswojo’s personal collection began with a deck he collaborated on with Hawaii-based In4mation, featuring the Hong Kong flower emblem in a camouflage print. “I used to collect used decks by my professional skateboarder friends; they mean a lot to me. I have a few displayed in my home and in the meantime until I get more wall space, the decks I have at 8FIVE2 are my personal favourites.”
Lane Crawford’s exclusive skate deck collection is a beautiful collision of art, pop culture and fashion, with each unique design conveying the tastes and style of both its designer and collector.
Insider tip: Just as you would hang an artistic masterpiece, pay careful attention to mounting to make the most of your skate installation. When hanging your skate deck on the wall use either invisible wire or bolts and nuts through the holes at the top and bottom of the deck to ensure a standout finish.
