Are Real Skaters Feeling the Alexander Wang X Adidas “Skate Shoes”
Alexander Wang made surfboards with Hayden, advertised with Curren Caples, and are now making “skate shoes” with Adidas. So they aren’t totally new to the scene, but come on. Why call those things skate shoes?
Hypebeast asked a few ‘actual’ skateboarders including Jimmy “Sweatpants” Gorecki and Jenkem Magazine editor Alexis Castro what their thoughts on the shoes and Wang’s involvement in skateboarding were. And of course they touched on fashion’s appropriation of skate culture. Such a hot topic these days as skateboarding is so in vogue and actually IN Vogue.
Do you think high fashion’s appropriation of skate culture promotes or defames the sport? Why?
Piet Guilfoyle: Its a double-edged sword. Most of the times (like this case for example) it can turn out really corny, which obviously sucks to see. Who knows to what extent examples like this shits on the essence and business of skateboarding. But, I like to focus on the positives. It’s great that skateboarding can excite people so much and be a source of inspiration for fashion. Nothing has changed really, skateboarding has always been developing its own tastes and will continue to do so. People can believe whatever they want about anything. If they believe this is a skate shoe or that buying clothing and accessories from skate brands makes them cool or whatever, that helps my friends, family and peers keep a job doing what they love. So fuck yeah, don’t stop buying our shit.
Jimmy “Sweatpants” Gorecki: The world understands now skateboarding and skateboarders are the coolest. We’re giving life support to high fashion brands now.
Mark Nardelli: I like the mingling and crossover of skateboarding to fashion as is music to the arts. That’s sick.
Alexis Castro: I think it’s back and forth for me. If it wasn’t for Dover Street Market, some of my favorite brands like Palace or Bianca Chandon might not be as successful as they are today, but at the same time, I hate to hear Thrasher hoodies or HUF socks be called “off-duty model staples.” I think if anyone in fashion is trying to incorporate skating into their campaigns they should at least try to reach out to people who are actively in the culture, or they’re going to make both themselves and skateboarding look bad. If you’re a big house like Dior, you should be willing to spend some extra money to make sure the layout of your “skate park runway” is laid out in a way that’s actually skatable and not just a neon death trap.
Click over to HYPEBEAST to find out the thoughts of actual skateboarders on Alexander Wang making Adidas collab skate shoes.
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