“Shine bright like a diamond, shine bright like a diamond (woah)!” Did I just refer to Rihanna? Yes, but I am not talking about love. I am referring to the way Lucy Adams‘ new pro-board sparkles when it catches the light. The British pro skater just came out with a third deck for LovenSkate and it’s mesmerizing! The unique graphic was made in collaboration with East-London based artist, Aida Wilde. Standing for something different than most boards out there, Lucy Adams’ new pro board is shining bright.
Interview by Emanuele Barbier | Photos by Stuart Smith
Congrats on the new pro model! This is your third one right?
[Snickers] Thank you. Yes, this is my third board for LovenSkate.
How does it feel to have a new board out?
Yeah, it’s totally amazing! It’s been a while since the last one, I think it was 2018. [Stuart Smith] turned Alex Hallford and Jordan Thackeray pro at the end of last year. So it was a good little break for me. […] But it’s really nice to have a hand in the process again, to think about something entirely unique and different.
Right, because this is quite different from your previous Master of Camouflage series.
[Stu and I] did talk about a board last year. Stu said it would be really cool to do some kind of statement graphic with words. I thought it doesn’t fit with me. But also it concerned me that I always do a bird in camo because eventually, I would run out. The ones so far, they are my favourite birds, the kingfisher and the owl. So I don’t want to do a bird just for the sake of it.
So what is it about birds of prey you like so much?
I always had a thing for big birds. In school, we watched a video about a Peregrine falcon. It always stayed in my mind how beautiful is, but also, how deadly it can be. Then, my granddad had a bird book that was sort of a prominent feature on his bookshelf. […] I was turning to the Kingfisher page and it was really striking. I used to think it couldn’t possibly be in England. I didn’t see one until I was an adult, it was fascinating.
I remember one time, driving home from Manchester, I stopped off because I heard there were peregrine falcons on Darby’s Cathedral. There were lots of people camped out with binoculars for the babies’ first flight. They flew that day so I was able to see them. They tottered up to the edge, you think they’re gonna go but they don’t. Then they get to the edge again and again don’t go, it was like hours I think.
So it’s almost like a skater’s first drop in!
Yeah, exactly but they don’t fall.
Right, I guess they don’t feel that pain! I am curious, before being a pro-skater, did you ever think of having a pro-model?
When I was a kid, I did try to draw things or I would imagine a company. I really liked Girl and Chocolate then and I always thought I’d have a company called Milkshake. [laughs]
It would all be pastel colours, like ice-creamy types of pinks, soft yellows and soft brown mint-choc chip.
Oh that’s interesting because it’s so different from the boards you have had coming out.
I know, I guess that is me. [laughs] I just like such a broad variety of things. Sometimes, when I am choosing [graphics] I choose what I feel like the most right now.
So what does your new board represent to you?
Well, one, it’s mainly a bit of fun, you know, like, it’s definitely not to be taken seriously. But two, it’s also just bold. You could see it as a bit controversial. […] To me it’s just fun and bold, I wanted to do something different, something unique.
Also, the way women and girls in skateboarding have been coming up. It’s a really cool time right now. There are so many people ripping and getting more exposure. I feel like it kind of works, it’s cool.
Yea, I think with the current scene, it’s really cool. So how did you find out about Aida’s work?
Stu told me there’s an artist he’s in contact with. He said he really loves some of the pieces that she does with words and statements. […] He suggested I look at her work so I’ve been following her for like a year and I just loved it! [Stu and I] talked if we should use something she made and experiment with or if we try to come up with something new. He had a conversation with her about collaborating and straight away she was up for it!
What I really love is she comes across as not giving a damn through the statements and the language she uses. But also, I love the way she’s experimenting using inks and colours. It’s so striking! Especially with all the sparkle she uses and I really love that. The first board, I was able to do an all-white deck, which was always a dream of mine. Then, the second one was a full camo wrap. I feel being able to experiment with colours was really important. And with her work, Aida really uses that too, you got the most out of the surface with the colours.
Were you involved in the printing process this time around?
Unfortunately, due to the virus, no. I’d have liked to have done more of a collaborative process but, obviously, we’re in quarantine. […] Maybe we can do something whenever we come through this. The best scenario is everybody loves it, it sells out and we’re able to do a couple more collaboratively.
Well, I really hope it does sell out!
[Laughs] thank you, let’s hope it does.
I am wondering, what’s the meaning of having a pro model to you?
It just makes me happy Stu and the company I love, making me feel part of a family, believe in me. […] To be backed by such a wonderful group of people, that are stoked on me having that board, is just amazing. Also, it makes me feel really stoked to be trying to be a role model. When I get messages from girls saying ‘Oh, that’s so cool! I’m gonna get one for the wall. I’m like, yeah, that’s rad! But definitely get one to skate!’ [laughs]
It’s so nice whenever I have seen one of my boards in the wild. That someone picked that graphic because they loved it or to support me or LovenSkate or whatever their decision, it’s so cool.
You seem like a tight family, what does it signify to you being part of LovenSkate?
It’s been so long now. I think for one, the name of the brand we ride for, LovenSkate, is incredible. Also, it is such a labour of love in terms of hand screening, you know, like seven colour boards and stuff. There isn’t a lot of brands out there in the world doing that process. It’s so cool that someone is still doing it in that way. I just really believe in Stu, the ethos behind it, for all the handcrafting.
The slogan that made me sort of fall in love with it was “It’s a continual process of living, learning, loving and skating. Lucky used to use it a lot and I thought that’s exactly like what we’re doing.
Do you think of going back to the Master of Camouflage series or exploring something else for a next pro model?
I think I’m really open to doing new things as well. I may be going back to camo, I would never say never! [laughs] But I am not an artist, so I look to work with someone […] I never know what it is right until I see it. I’m on the lookout all the time. I think skaters, we always are after things that look good.
Make sure to check for the upcoming profile of Aida Wilde to learn more about the board.
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