Author: Jake Archer
Fostering a culture of premium sneaker aftercare products, Jason Markk has had its feet burrowed into sneaker culture since 2007. A bespoke shoe care brand based in the heart of Los Angeles; their aim was to create natural, biodegradable solutions to sneaker cleaning process. The Jason Markk journey began with their first product – a Premium Shoe Cleaner, to them quickly expanding their product offering to items like the Quick Cleaning Wipes and Repel sprays. Jason Markk has built a reputable name for itself through a prestigious list of clients, with their premium products being stocked in 5,000 stores worldwide.
With our 20th anniversary in full force we wanted to up the ante a little… Delivering something a bit more bespoke to you – our community that has supported us over the years. With sneaker culture deeply etched into our identity, we know it is not always easy to get your hands on the trainers you want and love, and for the lucky ones that do manage to get the latest releases, that pair becomes a prized possession. Therefore, we want to offer a unique solution to keep your high heat kicks clean at home. Working with multifaceted design studio MENTSEN, we wanted to bring the cleaning experience to life with a FP exclusive Bench that is versatile, multifunctional, storable and what could be the ideal spot for your sneaker cleaning station.
MENTSEN is a London-based design practice and partnership between designers Yasuyuki and Risa Sano. Established in 2011, MENTSEN’s aim is to unveil a relentless number of possibilities for design that is authentic, synthesises clarity and thoughtfulness at the heart of everything they do. The name ‘MENTSEN’ resides from the Japanese meaning of ‘surfaces and lines’ that pays continuous ode to their fine craftsmanship.
Footpatrol challenged MENTSEN to incorporate a design that preserved the top surface when cleaning your sneakers. MENTSEN’s solution was to create a reversible plane on the top surface that featured an aluminium sheet to clean your sneakers on. This solution not only preserved the ash timber material surface top, but also granted access to the dual cabinet-style storage space within the table – the perfect place to keep your sneaker cleaning products stored safely.
Come down to Footpatrol London this London Design Festival to see what we’ve been working on!
For our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, we highlight our in-house photographers who take us through their love of photography, their favourite projects and their dream photoshoots… Kicking things off with Neil Raja.
We have extended the deadline of our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, until Friday 30th September.
Footpatrol: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role within Footpatrol?
Neil: Hi, My name is Neil, I’m a Creative Photographer at Footpatrol. I’ve just finished my first month here and really loving that. Prior to this i was a freelance photographer, specialising in portraiture, mostly working on commercial campaigns and within the music industry.
FP: What first drew you to the world of photography?
Neil: Whenever I travelled, I always had a camera with me. My family often told me it was something I should pursue, so after I graduated from my design degree, I left my job and went into photography full time. I got a lucky break with a hip hop magazine and began working with some of my favourite artists. I loved photographing them behind the scenes and backstage and began getting noticed for my journalistic approach to portraiture. At the same time I also used my photography as a way to give a voice to charitable organisations that didn’t have budgets for big campaigns and through this i produced some of my favourite and most notable work.
FP: How do you visually express yourself via photography?
Neil: Photography is a great way to show people things from an angle or viewpoint that they otherwise wouldn’t usually see. This is what I think about whenever behind the camera. As everyone has a camera nowadays, I use more composed shots to tell a story, to bring to light an issue that society doesn’t think of or to portray a subject in a way that the viewer wouldn’t otherwise expect. I think this contrast is what describes my style best too.
FP: What would you class as your dream photoshoot?
Neil: As I have a real deep love of music, i think my dream shoot would have to be with artists and musicians that are no longer with us. I’d have loved to have been on tour with Hendrix, capturing him live and backstage. One artist I’m a huge fan of but never had thine chance to work with would be Nas. Getting to shoot an album cover for him would certainly be a dream come true.
FP: Tell us about your camera set up, do you have anything on your wishlist?
Neil: I’ve used so many different setups in the past and try to keep my kit utilitarian. When i photographed musicians early on in my career it was with a rather basic set up, a Nikon D50 (which i still have). Last year I shot a portrait of Mo Farah using a Pentax 67 and my digital kit is mostly made up of Sony gear. I love shooting on film and my favourite camera I travel with is a Nikon F3.
Footpatrol: What’s been your favourite project you’ve worked on, Footpatrol or not?
Neil: My favourite projects to date have probably been a campaign is shot for National Centre of Domestic Violence. It was to show how abuse rates rise during the world cup, the images for which were shown around the world before each game and has since been adopted by Fifa and other bodies to highlight the issue. Another campaign which means a lot to me was one i shot for the charity ETC education which had built the first and only secondary school for girls in the Masai Mara. I spent months living in the Mara, getting to know the teachers, students and villagers to capture images and footage of the impact the school has had. These types of projects mean more to me than any celebrity i may have worked with.
FP: Quick fire question… digital or film?
Neil: I love shooting on film as it slows down the process and what you get is what you get. It’s my go to when I travel as I never have to charge my camera and it doesn’t take me out of the moment. However I do appreciate the flexibility digital gives for certain projects and love what’s possible in post production.
FP: How do you think this opportunity with Vans and Footpatrol helps the next generation?
Neil: I think this is a great way for people to see the breadth of what can be done in photography. Our team is so diverse with skill set, I feel genuinely honored to be on the roster. As a brand, Vans has a deep heritage in underground culture, from skate photographers to hand held film makers, they’ve always championed creativity of this kind. I hope people feel inspired with our stories and look to tell their own with whatever medium they choose.
For our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, we highlight our in-house photographers who take us through their love of photography, their favourite projects and their dream photoshoots… Kicking things off with Alice Holland.
We have extended the deadline of our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, until Friday 30th September.
Footpatrol: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role within Footpatrol?
Alice: Hiii! My name is Alice, and I am the current Junior Photographer at Footpatrol:) You may have seen my face from working at the Soho store, I worked there for a couple years, starting in 2020. About 8 months ago I applied for a job in the office and about 6 months ago, I went part time as the Junior Photographer whilst finishing up my 3rd year at university and when I graduated, I started full time.
FP: What first drew you to the world of photography?
Alice: I always describe photography as my first love. I remember the first time I loaded my film camera and I was so confused by the whole thing, I refused to watch a YouTube video telling me how to do it. It was the first time I had enjoyed working something out for myself. And then everything that comes afterwards, shooting and processing, seeing images that were tangible and that I had created, making more of them was all I wanted to do next.
FP: How do you visually express yourself via photography?
Alice: I guess the only way I would say I express myself when I am photographing is that I always try to trust my gut. I shoot what I am drawn to, which seems obvious now but it makes sense to me at the time. I will usually have an idea of what shots I want to come home with – not that it always goes to plan – and I try to be as peaceful as I can when shooting. Photographing has always been an escape for me so when my head is clear I can focus only on my camera. I have been told I am an architectural documentary photographer but I think I just like taking pictures of buildings.
FP: What would you class as your dream photoshoot?
Alice: When I was younger all I wanted to do was to tour with artists and bands and take their pictures in the process. The only two things I spent my £4.45 an hour wage on were shoes and gigs, I loved being at the venues and it is where I first felt truly happy, music will always have a special place so touring with artists, as their photographer, made sense. So I guess I don’t have one ‘dream photoshoot’ but that’s the dream.
FP: Tell us about your camera set up, do you have anything on your wishlist?
Alice: It has changed a lot recently. Until working at Footpatrol I would say that I only shot on film, 35mm to 4×5, I was in love. Specifically though, with my Hasselblad 500cm which shoots medium format, square shots. I also always had a 35mm camera on me wherever I went, shooting pictures of my surroundings, nights out and in, but mainly my friends, the 35mm was always there with me. Now not so much anymore as £20 for one roll isn’t worth it to me. My wishlist? Contax T2 and film prices to be cheaper.
Footpatrol: What’s been your favourite project you’ve worked on, Footpatrol or not?
Alice: Whilst I was working at the store I was lucky enough to shoot with Footpatrol before I got the job here full time. When Tom came to me and asked if I wanted to shoot a campaign with Saucony…obviously I said yes, before even knowing what the project was about or where we were shooting.
During my final year at university I was following an ongoing project about British seaside towns. I was infatuated with photographing there – this project is a good example of following my gut when photographing – there was no real reason for me to be photographing there I was just obsessed with it.
When I was then told that the Saucony campaign was going to be shot at Southend-on-Sea I was super excited, I was able to showcase my skills in an area that I loved and felt comfortable shooting in. Perfect project in my opinion.
FP: Quick fire question… digital or film?
Alice: Ahh hard one at the moment as I’ve ‘quit film’ but my gut response is film… Kodak if you’re listening, lower your prices.
FP: How do you think this opportunity with Vans and Footpatrol helps the next generation?
Alice: Having just come out of university, a lot of the places we get told to look at going when we are finished are the same places everyone else will be looking and it often feels as if you’re going up against every other creative. Wether that be apprenticeships, assisting in a studio or even working for free. All great options and they work. However, there are other options, opportunities open up and if you put yourself in the right place then those doors will open. I guess what I am trying to say is that if the ‘conventional ways’ to get you and your work out there aren’t the best option for you, that’s okay. Put yourself in a place where you feel confident and make sure your voice is heard.
For our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, we highlight our in-house photographers who take us through their love of photography, their favourite projects and their dream photoshoots… Kicking things off with Tom Silvester.
We have extended the deadline of our World Photography Competition in collaboration with Vault by Vans, until Friday 30th September.
Footpatrol: Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role within Footpatrol?
Tom: Hi my name is Tom, I’m 29 and I’m the Senior creative photographer at Footpatrol. I’ve been working at FP now for 5 years.
FP: What first drew you to the world of photography?
Tom: Growing up, all my education was done as a graphic design graduate, photography was only a hobby. I bought my first camera after my tutor said it would be more professional to present images to clients instead of phone photography. At the time phones weren’t as good as they are now so it made sense.
To be honest, I would say my photography is influenced more by designers than photographers. I guess subliminally, I’m always looking at colour and layout. I approach photography the same way I would a poster or a graphic as that’s just how I’ve been educated.
The earliest memory was going out and shooting my then sneaker collection. I found myself doing it in all weathers, didn’t need anyone to come with me and not caring about what people thought like ‘look at that idiot taking photos of his shoes’. Perhaps that was when I really found something that I enjoyed!
FP: How do you visually express yourself via photography?
Tom: It depends on the brief and client outputs. When I’m at work, I like to have as much control over what I’m doing but obviously there can be guidelines in place. I will try to use these guidelines to my advantage and produce something that both myself and the client/brand are proud of.
As for my own personal photography, over the years I have found myself enjoying interior photography and I’m trying to tap into sports photography, in particular motorbike racing…
FP: What would you class as your dream photoshoot?
Tom: Dream job is to work for MotoGP following the action of riders.
FP: Tell us about your camera set up, do you have anything on your wishlist?
Tom: Digital I use is a Sony A7RII and for film I have a Pentax k1000, A Fuji Cardia Travel Mini and a Nimslo.
Footpatrol: What’s been your favourite project you’ve worked on, Footpatrol or not`?
Tom: Over the years I’ve shot 1000’s of shoes, in some cases some of my favourite photos have come from times when it had to be shot quickly rather than these big elaborate thought out campaigns.
If i break it down into a top 3, photographing Silverstone MotoGP, designing and photographing a collection for 100 years of Bauhaus and being able to visit Salomon HQ and the stunning town of Annecy.
FP: Fire question… digital or film?
Tom: Easy question, complicated answer… I would say I’m competent in both but I use a lot more digital than film, again client/brief depending on when I will decide what may potentially look best, usually I will shoot both anyway.
FP: How do you think this opportunity with Vans and Footpatrol helps the next generation?
Tom: You can either think about it with the mentality of a glass half full, or a glass half empty.
Compared to when instagram initially started, think about where it is today, other surrounding platforms and what’s now possible as a means to showcase your work. Your work can be found and viewed by the world with just a few swipes and taps, as a creative I think it’s a no brainer to take advantage of what is available as we also live in some of craziest times, where you just never know what will happen tomorrow, or the day after…
Innovative in her seams and a true vanguard for sustainability, Helen Kirkum is one of a kind in her creative field. Utilising recycled and deadstock material to champion a new lane of artisanal design. Creating bespoke, individualistic and thought-provoking pieces that translate their own narrative of playfulness. This creative tastemaker boasts a hefty catalogue of clients working with the likes of adidas, Ellese, Reebok, Highsnobiety and Nike – just to name a few. With her unsurpassed superstar collaboration with Bethany Williams topping the charts with its nomination for the Beezley design of the year award in 2020.
To continue the celebrations of our 20th anniversary and the upcoming exhibition ‘The Blueprint’ – an exhibition that delves into the past, present and future of Footpatrol – we’ve worked with creative director and bespoke genius Helen Kirkum. With some of our ASICS x Footpatrol collaborations being some of our most sought after and most cherished pairs, we tasked Helen by reimagining these in her distinct, signature style. Deconstructed and weaved together, the nostalgia filled moments of our sneaker history, this bespoke piece utilises elements from our GEL-SAGA II, GEL-LYTE III ‘Squads’, GEL-KAYANO, GEL-KAYANO ‘Storm’ and the GEL-SAGA ‘Anime’ iterations.
Take a look below at this latest and craziest production from Helen and make sure to pop down to ‘The Blueprint’ exhibition this weekend to see it in person!
Continuing our Footpatrol Discussions series, we take a look at the specialised craft of ceramics. Something we’ve looked at throughout our time at Footpatrol from the Air Force 1 ‘Sculpt’ with Freya Bramble-Carter through to our very own Footpatrol Gasmask Incense Chamber, the world of ceramics spans far and wide.
Someone who has spread their love of ceramics throughout London are Nam Tran and Susi Huang of Cernamic. Now situated over in Stoke Newington, East London this duo have had numerous locations over their time bringing communities together for the love of creating.
From personal commissions as individual artists, the duo host affordable workshops in all areas of ceramics as a hope of getting more people involved in this delicate yet playful craft.
Whilst paying them a visit, we sat down with Nam to learn more about them, Cernamic and how he got to where he is today.
Footpatrol: Hi Nam, thank you for making time for us to visit the studio! Could you please tell us a bit about yourself and the world of ‘Cernamic’
Nam Tran: A kid of Bow, East London, growing up in the east end and finding the passion for art when I was 16 and being able to express myself in the medium of clay, being able to create anything I like or how I felt really opened my mind. I carried on learning and educating myself in ceramics and found out that my passion was in teaching and expressing to others that there’s so much potential in us that can be conveyed through clay. The world of Cernamic is basically make what you feel like and just take it easy and relax, an escapism from the real world at times.
FP: looking around the studio there are many things that remind me of my childhood, What is it about pop culture that works so well with your traditional pottery techniques?
NT: Pottery is a very traditionalist subject where there are rules and history. I like to think myself as a rule breaker and try to bring in a new era of generation that grew up with pop culture and place that within an old technique like ceramic. I’m all about the craftsmanship, I like to show what I’m about and what people will think of me. When I pass on and leave all these pieces of ceramic behind, just like in super smash bros these pieces I make are mini trophy’s I collect and make along the way of my ceramic career and life.
FP: Your studio seems to have cultivated a real sense of community, how does this feed into your personal work?
NT: Iron sharpens iron, something I learnt during my MMA days. A strong gym will have like minded people who will help develop and push one another, this is the method I have tried to bring into my studio. Each member we have are well skilled but also super relaxed and we all inspire and educate each other through our ceramics making us all Evolve.
FP: You have quite a variety of skills sets, from BMX to cage fighting. What first attracted you to pottery? If you weren’t a ceramicist, what would you be doing?
NT: If I weren’t a ceramist I would be a street artist, maybe I’m just trying to do something that is personal and I can show people, like tagging on walls or trains, something to remind the world that there’s more that plain walls and Barriers. Doing something that gets people Inspired but also disappearing over time like a ghost.
FP: As soon as we walked in the studio was so peaceful and welcoming, How does pottery help with managing mental health and stress management?
NT: I suffer from ADHD and dyslexia so the calming effects really help me focus. I like to make stuff so I don’t have to sit down all day and panic if I spelt something wrong or be ashamed and feel laughed at. My studio is like my safe place, the moment you walk through those gates the world is forgotten and the tardis of a pottery world appears.
FP: How has the transition been from student of craft to teaching newcomers?
NT: Teaching makes me better and more humble as I know where I started and how hard it was. I never consider myself a master or become beheaded, I act like that kid who people look pass and assume I’m fairly rubbish until I touch the clay. My goal is to help people through the process so they can develop and realise that they can then make what ever they want and feel relax and calm and not worry about how good you need to be but rather everything is a step and each one takes time.
FP: You have an open house coming up in November, why do you think it’s important to open up your studio to the public in such a way?
NT: My studio isn’t like many studios where we’re great at advertising and social media as me and my partner are both makers and rubbish at admin and online SEO stuff. It’s sad as many people don’t know my studio exists so every year we do an open day to show what we’re making and to support a good cause. This helps make people aware we exist and that there’s a place to come, just like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we open that one time a year to show you the magic and the creations of what lies inside the studio.
FP: Finally, What words of wisdom would you like to impart on the next generation of potters?
NT: Keep on chasing Phantoms
The upcoming Footpatrol exhibition is a visual documentation of Footpatrol within the world of sneakers. Collaborations, community and culture, we’ve been at the heart of it now for 20 years and long may it continue!
Wanting to expand on this for years to come, we want to highlight people within the community who are pushing the boundaries within their work. For the upcoming exhibition, we begin by highlight Lorenz.OG. A creator who specialises in colour and design, Lorenzo works on ‘Patented Colour Schemes’ and adorns them across some of our favourite and sometimes, most sought after pairs creating the most unique one-of-ones.
To celebrate his skills and passion for sneakers, we commissioned Lorenzo to create 6 bespoke New Balance 2002R’s which will be on display at the Footpatrol Exhibition 10th – 11th September!
Stay tuned for more information coming soon.
Footpatrol: Mr.OG, we have finally pinned you down! How are you?
Lorenz.OG: I’m well, its great to have you and the team in the Lab! Usually nobody gets to see behind the curtain.
FP: I would normally ask to offer a bit of insight into who you are and what you do. But I feel people know you, and if they didn’t know you, they will most definitely know your work. So rather than ask that, tell me about what ‘Patented Colour Schemes’ and what it means to Lorenz.OG?
L: Its hard to define concisely. Last year I had just been connected with Virgil and I was so keen to show him everything I was working on, I sent him a few new sample colourways I was working on and he simply replied “PATENTED COLORSCHEMES®”.
Immediately I loved it, it showed how much he understood everything I was about in just two words, completely impromptu. It was so him, and it encapsulated my work so perfectly
I now use the term “Patented Colorschemes” to refer to the colourways I create and reuse across different silhouettes and mediums.
I always made an effort to take risks and jump into the unknown, utilising dyes to create a new colourway on my favourite pairs. It took some learn the finesse of how to control colour in a considered and subtle way but eventually I found my style which I have been running with ever since. I feel strongly about the style and design process I have created and ” PATENTED COLORSCHEMES” sums it up perfectly.
Though my work on sneakers has become watered down with the amount of creators and brands replicating the aesthetic, I give myself the credit of having a huge impact on current sneaker design and trends. Not everyone will know where the subtle gradient fades and originate from but Virgil understood the vision and gave me all I validation I’ll ever need.
FP: What about your starting point, how did everything get to where it is now?
L: I’d say the real starting point was just being a young teenager in London and being obsessed with sneakers, this is where I learnt everything I use today.
But the idea to really take action and create came to me when I was at Nike, interning at EHQ in Hilversum. I was working as a buying intern so I got to see alot of cool stuff, but from the sidelines. I struggled with the analytical side of the job, all I wanted to do was add value but being passionate couldn’t help me with an excel spreadsheet.
That’s when I realised that my passion is for product, specifically colour. Being able to recognise that became quite a big deal for me. I left at the time Covid struck. So I found myself with all this time to explore. I had never been or seen myself as a creative as such. Dyeing shoes however, was something that appealed to me. It wasn’t something I saw a lot of people doing other than A Cold Wall. With that time, I used it to practice. Dying my shoes, my friends shoes and sooner or later I developed my own aesthetic and processes that was mine. My inspirations for colourways is usually found in nature as I like to pay homage to and a focus to God’s creation.
The first pair that really started everything was on a pair of Air Force 1s using my *Genesis* Colorscheme, the OG colourway. I knew I’d created something special as I’d never seen a pair comparable to it, using soft subtle hues fading into the next.
Slowly but surely I have come up with ways to direct the colour on specific parts of the shoe, and use colourblocking. As confidence grew, I then started trying it on more sought after pairs like AJ4 OW, CDG 95s, this definitely helped get more visibility and I’ll continue to explore new mediums.
FP: Naturally many people would call what you do customisation, but to an extent I would disagree I think what you do offers more than that. How would you describe your work?
L: As I mentioned, I wanted to be a colour designer whilst at Nike but hadn’t had any previous experience or education in the field. I can’t draw and I’m not technical on digital either. I had no idea where to start, and I wanted to replicate what I saw working on the industry. So I began using dye as my means of designing samples. This worked well for me as I could keep adding to samples to get them right and that practice gave me skills I never intended on learning.
For me, a customiser is someone you approach asking for a service. Whereas my currency is in ideas and providing a finished product that has been through sampling stages. I am selling my concept and unique ideas rather than the service itself.
FP: How do you see what you do growing?
L: It’s a tough one… I am not one to give myself a solid plan as I like to move freely. When I started I never had the plan take it to this level, I just wanted to make an impact and work with product I feel passionate about. Though I dreamed it, I never thought any of this was achievable. By going with the flow it naturally ended up here.
Now I feel the opposite, I’ve witness my work impact brands on all levels, from sportswear to high fashion. And social media trends. Now I believe in my ideas and know if the opportunites don’t arise I’ll make them for myself.
The dream is still to have a real product collaboration with a brand I believe in. I would also like to carry on with consultation roles that I have been picking up.
It would be great to work with a brand that allows me to follow my design approach but with infrastructure to really scale it on a commercial level. Creating dye friendly prototypes for myself to work on, then I can come up with the colour ideas in my way. This was an idea I planned with Virgil that he came up with.
FP: The fact some pairs you have done have been seen so well received is amazing. So much so, artists like Drake and Lil Yatchy own pairs. What were your first thoughts when these conversations first became a reality?
L: It’s crazy because Drake was probably the first commision I ever took, about 2 months after I started. It was the moment I started to take it seriously. When that first happened, I was so excited. But, just because someone high profile wears your stuff, doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to be an overnight success however it gave me alot of self belief, something I really needed in the beginning.
Yachty was amazing too, he was always someone I wanted to work with, because he is genuinely obsessed with sneakers, like he has high sneaker IQ he doesn’t just cop anything. I was fortunate enough to link up with him when he came to London last August and not only did he buy all 6 pairs I came to show him. He got them all out, analyzed them, tried them on and was so gassed. It was amazing to give someone who has so much heat that reaction.
FP: Do you feel that sneakerheads do?
L: I do! Obviously not everyone will like my work and that’s okay, but for the most part it’s the proper sneaker obsessed who are my biggest supporters.
I spoke about Yachty, but people like DJ Clark Kent, Joe La Puma and Madgi from Archive DNA are just a few of those I feel great satisfaction knowing my work resonates with them as they’ve seen it all.
FP: You spoke about him early in our conversation but I want to bring back the conversations you had with the late Virgil Abloh (may he rest in peace). I know he had a part to play in helping you find the right direction and not only that even loved your work. Is there any advice that he shared with you that has stuck?
L: The thing I took away from Virgil was his approach to think outside the norms of what you can do. He suggested that I do a collab on Off White heels and handbags. Suggesting something like that made me realise the potential one idea can have on multiple different things, which initially I never thought about. That thought of ‘Why stay in one lane’ really stuck with me. Don’t get me wrong, I want to work in sneakers but that doesn’t mean it stops there. By showing my aesthetic on other things I wouldn’t normally think about, was a gateway for me to grow.
At the time one of the big brand approached me for a collaboration, and naturally I was excited and we got underway creating the concept and CADs for the design.
At some point tho, I started to have second thoughts and being honest, I feel the shoe was me. Having just connected with Virgil and regularly recieving advice from him gave me the confidence to walk away without having the “what if” feeling and doubts I made a mistake.
FP: Finishing up on a slightly different note. Besides your backstory, there are other reasons as to why we have you here! Footpatrol’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition is soon upon us and we have been fortunate to work alongside you on a series of commissioned pieces on the New Balance 2002. Could you give us a bit of insight into your design approach with these pairs?
L: Firstly, this has been such a great opportunity to showcase my work properly for the first time in London in a real life setting. With these 6 pairs, I wanted to recreate some previous colour ways that I have done before that were a success. 5 out of the 6 were colourways I can produce again and again that I have developed. The last pair however, I am looking to take a few more risks. The colour initially didn’t take as well as the others, but it’s lined up for me to produce another colourway that I don’t do very often.
Sometimes things change as I am going through the process. Which makes things more exciting within the design process!
FP: Well Lorenzo, I can only thank you for your time and wanting to help support Footpatrol during this big year for us. Before we let you go, we like to sign off every interview with the opportunity for you to gas yourself up or even spread a message of positivity. So please take it away…..
L: I want to thank the team at Footpatrol for thinking of me for this project. It’s something I have always dreamed of doing, especially a store like FP, that has been embedded within the culture for 20 years. Footpatrol was one of those stores growing up that I would always visit when I came into cental.
London as a city has so many amazing creatives and untapped potential and for Footpatrol to be supporting me is really nice to see. I would encourage all brands, stores and media agencies to work more with those creatives and bring them up to help them grow.
FP: Well Lorenzo, I can only thank you for your time and wanting to help support Footpatrol during this big year for us. Before we let you go, we like to sign off every interview with the opportunity for you to gas yourself up or even spread a message of positivity. So please take it away…..
L: I want to thank the team at Footpatrol for thinking of me for this project. It’s something I have always dreamed of doing, especially a store like FP, that has been embedded within the culture for 20 years. Footpatrol was one of those stores growing up that I would always visit when I came to London.
London as a city has so many amazing creatives and untapped potential and for Footpatrol to be supporting me is really nice to see. I would encourage all brands, stores and media agencies to work more with those creatives and bring them up to help them grow.
Not only did the Bone Soda Phonox residency deliver memories of some unforgettable nights out, it also offered inspiration for our latest apparel collection. Some of you may remember those crazy line up assets we’ve been sharing over the last few weeks, bold, eye-catching and all the rest, we tap into the mind of Joe Melhuish for our Utopia collection.
Working in animation and graphic illustration, Joe reworked the iconic Footpatrol gas mask and bar logo for his very own unique take which see’s his 3D visuals take charge.
We sit down with Joe as he takes us through his inspirations, his love of music and gives us a demonstration of how he goes about creating his artwork.
Footpatrol: Hey Joseph! We start off all of our interviews here at Footpatrol with the simple question of how are you?
Joe Melhuish: Great – exhausted. I have a habit of accepting far too much work but equally refusing to concede on social plans, it’s something I’m trying to get better at.
FP: For people who don’t know who you are, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
JM: I’m a digital artist, illustrator and animation director based here in London. I’ve made work for clients like Nike, Apple, Island Records, Adult Swim, Spotify and The New York Times. I use a VR headset to made all my work in 3d and I’d describe my work as acid soaked blown-out characters that works around themes of fashion, pop culture and self expression.
FP: So when did your love for DJing all start for you?
JM: Probably around age 18 I began learning but I was in bands as a drummer before then so I just considered it another way to be playing music I loved.
FP: You also have your own monthly appearance on Hackney’s own Subtle Radio, how did this opportunity come about?
JM: I had a mix series I’d been running already and was looking for someone who’d host a radio version, I hit them up and they said go for it.
FP: We have also seen your ‘Return to the Dance’ mixes on soundcloud, how do you think that your music you play reflects your own identity?
JM: I try to play a mix of music that, whilst it sits firmly on the dancefloor, has a strangeness, or a playfulness to it. There is a music scene in Lisbon that originates in Angola, they make music called Kuduro, Tarraxinha and Tarraxho, I play lots of this on the show – particularly from the label Príncipe in Lisbon there is a very experimental sound to it. I love the way it’s highly percussive but the beats roll out of control, slipping into feeling off beat or like it’s collapsing, it’s usually underproduced in a way that has a lot of energy, and it can be extremely melodic or brutally minimal. I did a record cover for a compilation this year with 99 Ginger, featuring one of my favourite artists from Príncipe; Dj Lycox. Worth listening to, in my humble opinion.
All this to say; I love music that feels loose, rhythmic, playful, colourful – and I think those are qualities in my work too.
FP: Let’s get into the artistic side of things, when did you first get into animation?
JM: Easily around age 10-11? I used to make animations on Powerpoint with my friends, eventually my dad bought me an educational copy of Flash Mx for I think around £90 and I spent the next 5 years or so making animations on that.
FP: What is it about VR that makes it so different to other art forms?
JM: It’s a great tool, it lets me draw in 3D as I would in my sketchbook. You can be really loose and free without having to think about any of the limitations of 3d.
FP: If there is any, who is the main inspiration when it comes to your visual artwork?
JM: Probably too many to mention, I don’t have a singular main inspiration and of course it shifts over the years but I take photos of things I see around all the time, I love going to art museums and getting inspired by people I never heard of. I’ve sampled ideas from everything from hieronymus bosch, insects I saw running around in mexico, little statues of horses in cultural heritage museums to old fashion magazines, Dark souls games, the countryside where I grew up in Wiltshire. I just try to join dots between things and keep an open mind.
FP: You worked on the flyer artwork for our Bone Soda events at Phonox London, could you talk us through the creative process behind this piece?
JM: Sure. I had some back and forth with the Bone Soda guys on a few different ideas, I was looking a lot at medieval images of demons, and strangely enough motorbike stunts, so we sort of combined the two. For the main poster I referenced a very old painting I saw of the devil in a Mexican art gallery with an open mouth. From there I model everything in VR before moving to cinema 4d for animation and texturing. There was a lot of intense sculpting on this project but in particular I’m very happy with how the main poster came out.
FP: For our younger audience here at Footpatrol, what advice would you give to individuals trying to make it in the creative industry?
JM: Keep making work, don’t lose motivation. Honestly if you keep pushing stuff out and seeking opportunities eventually something will work, I’ve made hundreds and hundreds of works, whilst I was at art school and in the 5 years following I was nearly constantly making and uploading work without much in the way of success. Persistence is the only guarantee of anything I guess, but also look after yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself, a lot of stuff just isn’t in your control, I can’t tell you how many things “almost” happened for me only to fall apart at the last minute.
FP: To finish off we would like to thank you so much for the interview. Is there anything you would like to share with the Footpatrol friends and family? That could be anything from getting people excited about something, a message of positivity, whatever you like.
JM: Look after your health and make art that you enjoy creating!
Recently, we teamed up with Vault By Vans for a celebration of World Photography Day. We hope with our rollouts at Footpatrol there is a clear display of love for photography and the craft and the level of detail that comes with capturing the perfect image. To offer all you budding photographers out there a chance to show us your skills, ourselves and Vault By Vans want you to ‘Capture Your City’
Using the hashtag ‘VANSFPCAPTURE’, head out into your cities and capture what makes that city so special to you. This could be the architecture, a favourite spot that reminds you of your childhood, your friends, a viewpoint… anything! Share this on social media using the above hashtag and we’ll choose three winners to win some amazing prizes!
Entries close 19.09.22 and winners will be contacted via @Footpatrol_LDN only!
Look forward to seeing what you share!
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PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
The London in-store draw is now CLOSED!
All online draws are now housed over on the Footpatrol Launches App, CLICK HERE to download!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online draw, you will need to download the Footpatrol Launches app and complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The draw is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
