Trainers, customised suede, Vans, United States, 1992

Pair of customised suede trainers cut down from high-tops and sealed with stickers and glue.

Registered File number 1993/2198, Streetstyle exhibition 1994-1995, in the exhibition it was part of an outfit called 'Skater UK 1992-3' (includes the T-shirt T.620-1993, the trousers T.621-1993, the shirt T.622-1993 and the cap T.624-1993).


Part of a skater outfit (T.620 to 624-1993), consisting of a grey cotton shirt with a zip-fronted neck and short sleeves over a red cotton T-shirt, "phat pants" trousers, customised suede trainers cut down from high-tops and sealed with stickers and glue. Plastic and cotton hat.

This outfit was brought together by Slam City Skates, a London skateboarder's speciality store established in 1986, using clothes from London skateboarders. In 1992-93, skateboard wear was at its "phattest", a term used to signify coolness and approbation. The clothes had to be as outsize as possible, and individually customised to the owner's personal preference. For example, the red T-shirt here was worn inside-out as the logo was no longer considered cool, and the "phat pants" have had their hems cut and frayed. It was displayed in the Street Style exhibition of 1993-94 as an example of Skater style.

T.623:1, 2-1993