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Isle, Carhartt WIP & Raphael Zarka present: Paving Space

 

Isle and Carhartt WIP have come together with contemporary artist Raphael Zarka on a new project named "Paving Space: A collaboration between ISLE Skateboards, Raphaël Zarka and Carhartt WIP." which combines elements from the art world and skateboarding.

Isle are renowned for their unique artistic vision which is translated through their various deck graphic and apparel designs, and their latest collaborative project highlights their artistry with a new approach on apparel design and deck graphics. As well as the collection, the trio have worked on a physical exhibition which showcases the geometric designs from the collection in the form of solid wooden sculptures which doubles up as skate-able art - something we've seen in Raphaël Zarka's previous work.

The collection will be available from Carhartt WIP stores and online from the 18th of November. You can check out the exhibition at London's Protein Studios, which will be running from November 18th to November 24th.

 

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Lakai x Isle Skateboards

 

In anticipation of the Lakai x Isle Skateboards footwear collaboration dropping in July, both parties have released this short promo video of Nick Jensen styling street spots between London and L.A.

The Griffin XLK shoe is the subject of the collab, featuring the heritage Griffin plush suede on the blacked out upper with a full grain leather Lakai Flare on the side panels and perforations around the toe for added breathability. The durable upper sits on top of a tech filled sole unit that features the signature XLK performance cup sole which is both lightweight and shock absorbing, with a herringbone tread pattern on the outsole for optimal grip on the board. The Equa-Form midsole and moulded outsole increases comfort and stability of the foot for when you’re throwing down hammers.

Enjoy the video by Jacob Harris below, and keep your eyes peeled for more info on the release date. Also be on the look out for Isle’s full length video ‘Vase’ which will be dropping soon.

You can read our interview with Nick Jensen and Paul Shier of Isle Skateboards HERE.

 

Licence To

Licence To

 

 Grey Skate Mag present “Licence To”, a new edit from Mark Jackson featuring some of the biggest names in UK skateboarding right now. Supported by Isle Skateboards and Lakai, the three and a half minute video features Blondey McCoy, Casper Brooker, Darius Trabalza, Neil Smith, Jak Pietryga, Tom Tanner, Jacob Harris, Tom Harrison, Hjalte Halberg, Harry Lintell, Fernando Bramsmark, Rob Mathieson, Torey Goodall and finishes off with a small part from Nick Jensen.

Enjoy!

Music: Bons, November and Nowhere (Spillage FeteRecords).

 

Isle Skateboards Push/Pull 2

ISLE Skateboards Spring 2015 Deck Graphic Series

 

UK based Isle Skateboards return with six brand new deck graphics spread over 2 series for their first release of the season.

Having gained a lot of recognition for their unique, creative approach to their board designs, Isle continue their fine run of form with the Push/Pull Series 2 and the Paint & Pigment Series. The Push/Pull Series 2 sees new iterations of the brands first ever deck series reversing the white back ground to black and adding new ‘opposing’ imagery. The Paint & Pigment series looks a bit like a fine art piece with experimental paint powder, subtle imagery and cards with each riders initials. Both series feature decks for all 3 of the brands pro riders – brand owners Nick Jensen and Paul Shier, as well as Sylvian Tognelli. Each deck is constructed from generator wood which is made in the USA.

This year is certainly looking to be an exciting one for Isle, with some strong clothing pieces on the way that compliments the deck series, as well as several strong collaborative projects throughout the year. We can also be expecting the brands first full length video “Vase” which will be arriving shortly.

ISLE Spring 2015 line will be arriving this May. Be sure to keep an eye on isleskateboards.com for updates and to purchase from their current range.

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Isle Skateboards – Interview

As two of the most respected British riders in the world, Nick Jensen and Paul Shier have been integral members of the UK skate scene for some time now. Following the demise of the once renowned Blueprint skateboards, they have since given rise to a new brand with an eclectic art direction and strong collection of riders on the team. We are happy to be able to share words from them both regarding their company, Isle…

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Prior to launching Isle you kept a lot under wraps in terms of the name etc. How did this impact the launch?

PAUL SHIER – We wanted to keep everything to ourselves and make sure the brand was 100% ready to go the way we envisioned for the launch before announcing anything regarding the name or team. There were some people out there that were guessing at the name for a while and it did get out somehow that it was going to be called Isle. I can remember our first trip to Valencia, Spain when the brand was still not properly launched and all there had been was some personal instagrams of blank boards but Sylvain thought it would be funny to write Celest on his griptape as a joke which sparked interest even more thinking that was going to be the name. I am not too sure if this hyped it up more but we were super stoked on the welcome we got from skaters.

 What goals did you have in mind when creating the concept for the brand?

NICK JENSEN – To create something that was visually different and to support our favourite skaters.

 Did the decline of Blueprint prior to starting Isle provide any lessons to bring to the new brand?

PAUL SHIER – Keep it small and tight, listen and communicate with each other always. Do not grow beyond your means and only do what you believe to be true. Never get people involved who do not understand your message and where you are coming from.

 Isle has a distinctive aesthetic, keeping things minimal with high attention to detail. Are there other brands or designers that you look to for inspiration?

NICK JENSEN – We find ourselves looking at art works outside of skateboarding for inspiration. Going to see art exhibitions has informed the white background aesthetic. We also look at older examples set by skate brand’s, a time when designers used photocopy machines, actual models (ie alien workshop’s stuff) and animation to create their brand identity. We’re really into this hands on approach, treating the board as a sculpture in a way.

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 You’re working on ‘Vase’ with Jacob Harris who also made the Eleventh Hour. Should we expect similar use of ‘regressive technology’ in the new video?

PAUL SHIER – Our video is shot with vx1000 and 16mm. It does seem to be a trend now for people to claim they are filming on VX but this is what I have pretty much always filmed parts on as has Nick so we are more familiar. I think Jake has gone through 4 cameras filming for it and I know I have fucked up one death lens.

Using old technology can be a costly process. Why are using such mediums important to your aesthetic?

PAUL SHIER – 16mm is costly but we are keeping it to a minimum and costs down. VX costs is just a case of buying tapes, unfortunately some cameras have broken, but again this has not been too costly and we were all able to chip in together to get Jacob another. We are all believers in the process, rawness and image that you get from filming with a VX1000 and this is why we continue to use this medium.

 Does the extra cost create pressure for your riders when filming?

PAUL SHIER – The 16mm has been used mostly for lifestyle/art shots and not much real skating is done so the cost is lower than you may think.

I’ve seen Nick mention in a previous interview with Dazed and Confused that you tend to consider two audience types when filming, one core skate and the other more mainstream. Was that taken into account when filming for Vase?

NICK JENSEN – It’s a relief to be making Vase because it’s what we really want to be doing. It’s for skaters by skaters. Dazed was different because of their intentions and ideas.

 The bulk of the team are from the UK. Is a majority filmed over here?

PAUL SHIER – Yes, the majority of the video is shot in the U.K, but there will also be a lot of footage from all the world.

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With so many UK riders, London surely holds an integral value to Isle and the team. As a place to skate, would you say London’s best days are done?

PAUL SHIER – 60% of the team live and skate in London and it is a very important place to us, especially the guys who have grown up around the scene. I know to me it is something that has always been a tight and amazing community of skaters. London days are far from done and never will be. The scene is the strongest it has ever been.

 We really like your hands on approach to the creation of your board graphics. Can you tell us anything about the next series?

PAUL SHIER – We are currently finishing up production of our SP15 line which we are all hyped on. We will be dropping that in about a month with a new line of softgoods too.

 What can we expect from Isle moving forward?

PAUL SHIER – Continue to do what we have been doing, filming for Vase, always putting out quality not quantity, supporting our favourite skateboarders and skateboarding.

You can find out more on Isle Skateboards latest deck series HERE. For more information on the brand or to shop their latest range head over to www.isleskateboards.com

 

Words: James P.Lees

Imagery courtesy of Isle Skateboards