by The Editors on March 26, 2024
We’ve said it before, but when it comes to doing contracts with artists, and designing products with them, it seems many brands find it’s easier to get deals done when the artist is dead. Roark seems to agree as they’ve launched a new collection of clothing featuring the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who sadly died at 27 (he’s in the club) from a heroin overdose on August 12, 1988.
“It’s beyond special to present this collection inspired by the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat and share it with Roark fans,” said Roark Founder Ryan Hitzel, “We explore the merger of rhythm and flow with his iconic symbolism, raw creativity and challenging of the status quo. We find the best version of ourselves in that state of mind, whether we’re surfing, running or adventuring through the world.”
Obviously the collection looks great. As it did when Billabong did the same thing in 2018. For a complete overview, please visit Roark’s website . . . which we’re assuming is on the Internet somewhere.
by The Editors on February 7, 2019
Burton Snowboards continues with their work supporting dead artists with a new capsule featuring the artistry of trail blazing NYC graffiti artist Keith Haring who died February 16, 1990.
Featuring the iconic style of American artist Keith Haring whose pop art and graffiti-like work grew out of NYC street culture of the 1980s. © Keith Haring Foundation, www.haring.com. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
The collection includes a Keith Haring Deep Thinker snowboard, a Keith Haring Anorak jacket, and a Keith Haring tech T-shirt. Would Keith have loved this collab? Unfortunately, we’ll never know.
[Link: Burton Snowboards]
by The Editors on April 9, 2018
Billabong is continuing their artistic relationship with Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat to celebrate death, apparently, with the third iteration of their Andy Warhol x Jean-Michel Basquiat x Billabong Lab collection. Dead artists are the easiest to work with, obviously.
by The Editors on September 1, 2010
For those who just love smoking a bowl on that first chair ride each morning, rocking huge dirt-head beanies, and cruising down the slopes in an Irie state of mind Burton has just the board: the Whammy Bar Marley.
Key features of the new Whammy Bar Marley board include a simulated wood-grain topsheet layered with a series of classic photos from Bob Marley’s family archives. The images reflect his love for family, music and life. In addition, the base of the board features a powerful graphic showcasing the traditional Lion of Judah integrated with the colors of the Rasta flag and Burton branding. . . “It was a natural fit to work with Burton on the Bob Marley snowboard collection,” says Rohan Marley. “Like my father, they are pioneers in their field and celebrate life’s endless possibilities.”
How’s that for a reach? It’s nice that the family can continue to live off the legend. Follow the jump for all the details.
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by The Editors on June 7, 2018
Darkstar Skateboards is bringing back the 80s with a little help from the formerly living, minimalist-sexy artist Patrick Nagel.
The Darkstar x Nagel Summer 2018 capsule showcases the late artist’s spirit and legacy, framed with blocks of breathable muted color and elegant reflective chrome details. Nagel’s signature is implemented throughout amid simple typography, a Nagel provenance found in Nagel exhibition posters and Nagel art books. The official Darkstar x Nagel capsule is now available worldwide, exclusively at core skate shops and select online retailers.
For the official word from Darkstar on this dead artist collab, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on December 2, 2016
Someone at Burton loves dead people. We’ve said before that it was because they were much easier to do deals with. But we’re not sure that’s the only reason. Over the past few decades the company has done collaborations with Andy Warhol (who is dead), Bob Marley (who is dead), and now they’re getting in the ring with Muhamad Ali (who is also dead) with the Ali x Burton The Greatest Snowboard.
When pioneers see eye-to-eye, it’s only fitting to step into the ring and celebrate with a knockout. Thus the Ali x Burton collaboration brings two legacies together with a limited release board in honor of the People’s Champion, the Greatest, Muhammad Ali.
Wonder if this boards floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee? Truthfully, we’ll never know. But we do begin to wonder how much longer it will be before they do a Hugh Hefner model. He’ll qualify as a dead artist soon enough, won’t he?
[Link: Burton Snowboards]
by The Editors on January 22, 2010
It was three years ago today (January 22, 2007) that Burton Snowboards rolled out their Andy Warhol Foundation collaboration featuring boards, boots, and outerwear decorated with Warhol art. Now, in 2010 Burton’s skateboard company Alien Workshop appears to be doing the same thing, according to a post on their website.
As the preeminent American artist of the 20th Century, Andy Warhol challenged the world to see art differently. This distinctive project presents a new approach to skateboard/artist collaborations by pairing unique examples of Warhol’s groundbreaking artwork with each of the ten iconoclast pro riders sponsored by Alien Workshop. . . .Featuring five pro decks with works from Warhol’s Death & Disaster Series and five pro decks showcasing his iconic Pop works, the complete set is shipped in custom printed board box packaging inspired by Warhol’s box sculptures from the 1960’s.
Andy would likely be happy to see the same company recycling his art over and over again. We’re wondering when the Channel Islands dead artist collab will be announced, or did we already miss that one?
[Link: Alien Workshop via High Snobiety via Retrogo.com]
