Abstract:
- Iconic skating model Flipper’s is launching its first-ever vogue assortment.
- Led by Liberty Ross, the debut “Flipper’s Style Assortment” contains is impressed by up to date road design and contains a number of archival references.
- It launches on-line right this moment at flippers.world and in-store solely at Dover Road Market Los Angeles – an homage to the town the place it began in 1979.
Skate teams have been taking up parks and metropolis streets in recent times, with a brand new wave of younger folks tapping into the scene not only for sport, however for real-life connection. However, skating has at all times been greater than motion:. iIt’ has a vibrant tradition rooted in music, vogue, and self-expression.
On the heart of this skating scene is Flipper’s – the skate model relaunched by Liberty Ross in 2022, daughter of Ian “Flipper” Ross who based the enduring West Hollywood spot in 1979. Greater than a skating corridor, Flipper’s is a cultural hotspot that has attracted the likes of Prince, Usher, Dr. Dre and Mary J. Blige over time – in addition to a mixture of subcultures and vogue impressed skate collaborations that embrace with Mind Useless, adidas and Hunza G for example.
Now, after a run of high-energy revivals and partnerships, Flipper’s is entering into its subsequent period – introducing its first-ever vogue label, Flipper’s Style Assortment, led by Ross’s daughter and vogue entrepreneur Liberty Ross.
The Fall/Winter ‘25 unisex drop channels skate heritage into sharp, up to date streetwear. Standouts embrace a reimagined MA-1 bomber, photo-printed nylon outerwear, and daring sherpa jackets. Graphic tees and sweats function authentic archival imagery from the Palace’s golden period, whereas collectables like totes, skate straps, band-aids, and sticker packs faucet into the nostalgic coronary heart of the skate group.
We spoke with Liberty Ross to speak concerning the imaginative and prescient behind the road, the ability of skatewear as a cultural language, and the way vogue can deliver much more folks into the skating group. Take a look at her ideas beneath.
Hypebeast: It’s your first vogue assortment – why now?
Liberty Ross: Our pleasure is our group. From our e-book Flipper’s Curler Boogie Palace 1979-81, to rinks, to merch, to collabs lastly we’re prepared to supply our group with attire particularly designed with them in thoughts – I can’t let you know what number of occasions associates come as much as me at Flipper’s and say “We’d like cargos with stretch!” for instance. They’re my inspiration behind every part we do at Flipper’s.
With archival vogue references dominating social media algorithms, nostalgia can begin to really feel like a loop, leaving little separation from the previous to create new design ideas in vogue. Flipper’s Style is rooted in heritage – however how do you faucet into the previous with out getting caught there?
Things like music, movie and vogue will at all times borrow from the previous. The distinctive factor right here is we even have an genuine historical past – we take from the spirit of Flipper’s and the way it was launched in 1979, and mix that with the sensibility of contemporary day skate lovers to create what we have now right this moment.
What retains the design language forward-facing?
We’re reimagining wardrobe staples by modular design — items that remodel when taken aside, providing recent methods to put on them with performance that strikes seamlessly from skating to on a regular basis life, throughout seasons.
Skating’s seeing a brand new wave of curiosity, with folks turning to it as a digital detox and a technique to join in individual. Micro-scenes are popping up in every single place, however how can streetwear act as a bridge for constructing these IRL skate communities and assist extra folks get into the area?
There isn’t a sport extra related to the road than rollerskating. Loads of vogue is influenced by road tradition – therefore the time period streetwear. There isn’t a higher road fashion than rollerskating. Style and sports activities have collided and we are attempting to honor true and genuine curler skate fashion for the skaters and even for individuals who don’t, who simply wish to really feel that freedom.
You’ve executed some nice collabs up to now – with Mind Useless, for instance. Now that Flipper’s pushing its personal standalone line, what shifts within the inventive course of? What are the model codes we are able to count on to anchor this impartial assortment?
Functionality is essential. As is the legacy as basis – staying true to the cultural DNA of Flipper’s. Curler skating as freedom, group and underground. A transparent perspective [that’s] alive with shade and graphics.
The current drop with Phoenix Mercury drew a clear line between skate and hoop tradition. Why do you assume this labored?
To me basketball and curler skating share the identical DNA: they’re each born from the streets. Flipper’s has taken curler skating to the NBA Finals Halftime Present and, as you point out right here, we’re presently the jersey badge sponsor for the Phoenix Mercury WNBA crew. Basketball has created its personal runway: the tunnel. A few of these gamers have a rare sense of favor – I’m not shocked in any respect that what they put on catches on. We consider the identical will occur with rollerskating.
With that in thoughts, will the “Flipper Style Assortment” proceed to merge skate with different sporting lanes? Are we going to see extra of these surprising cultural intersections?
Completely sure! Our mission at Flipper’s is to proceed to raise the game of curler skating. Skaters are athletes and we have now orchestrated curler skating on the largest levels on this planet – from the Tremendous Bowl to the VMAs and EMAs. We consider rollerskating can play on the identical stage as any sport.
For somebody looking for group by skating – not simply the game, however the life-style – what’s your recommendation on getting concerned and feeling a part of the skate group?
The group is extremely welcoming and, whether or not you will have skated earlier than or not, you turn into a part of a household. Skaters will at all times choose you up if you fall down – which is inevitable! You could be three or 103 and have a good time. We at Flipper’s do our greatest to nurture rink tradition around the globe.
The Flipper’s Style Assortment is offered now in retailer at Dover Road Market LA and on Flipper’s web site.
