The skateboarding industry is covered head-to-toe in the bruises and broken bones of authenticity. Birthed out of rebellion and innovation, skateboarding’s forefathers set the tone for originality and the pursuit of progression, which still holds true today. If a brand is really going to be a skate brand, they must fully embody these ideals. For skateboarders, “game recognizes game”- we can smell a fake like a week-old pair of underwear.
Nike and Converse have done a great job entering an industry that doesn’t take too kindly to mainstream outsiders. They are great examples of how any brand – not just a skate brand – can curate their own authenticity to achieve relevancy and credibility with their target demo.
