Parade Staff Picks: Our Best Editorial of 2020

Gilbert Crockett Interview - February

"An outfit can make or break a clip, a skater or a video part"

From fashion within skateboarding to filming video parts it's been another year in the ascendancy for Gilbert. His refined style, both through his skating and via his wardrobe, has become his brand, his stock-in-trade and we all agree it’s pretty on-point. Whether he’s talking about skateboarding or his vintage store and brand, Cee Blues, Anthony Pappalardo covers it all in our interview with him from September.

"People don't want those old brands that have had the same logo for 20 years. Young people just don't care”

Read the full interview.

Greg Hunt Interview - December

The recent Vans edit, Alright, Ok was a mini epitaph to Elijah and Gilbert, but also to Greg’s almost docu-style of filmmaking. We spoke to him just last month about his journey, which spans from being a professional skater with Stereo and refusing to help film the team to producing such features as the DC Video, Alien’s Mindfield and Vans Propeller. 

“Right after A Visual Sound, I moved in with Gabe Morford. We had a darkroom and he gave me a camera. I got really into photography as well as shooting Super 8 film because it was like motion photography”

Read the full interview.

Aaron Herrington Interview - February

In what seems like an age ago, Matt Broadly spoke with Aaron back in February about mental health and the toll it can take. We’re grateful that Aaron spoke openly, something he told us off-record that was not easy for him.

“I take mood stabilisers and anxiety medication, it's a scary thing going into it, but if you don't try or don't try out the therapy you could be suffering alone forever. I highly recommend it.”

As many skaters come of age and experience dark times, the importance of talking and airing feelings grows ever-more important to benefit of others, for it to be known that no has to be completely alone through this. 

Read the full interview.  

Tiago Lemos - August

In addition to Heitor Da Silva, we added to our team in August with none other than the mighty Tiago. During the filming for his first New Balance signature model and incidentally the first Covid-19 lockdown in Brazil he managed to carve off an introduction clip. Goes without saying, Tiago’s association is still something we’re proud of and lookout for a new team rider in early 2021!

Orchard and No Comply - November

Since Covid-19 has dominated headlines and completely defined the year, we caught up with Orchard in Boston, Mass and No Comply in Austin, Texas to find out how their year in retail has been shaped by the pandemic. From having to close the store to experiencing a post-lockdown boom, the journey has been rough. 

“I applied for the PPP loans, called up credit card companies to get extensions and debt forgiveness because I had no idea what was going to happen. The PPP was at least a bridge until the reopening and a way to pay furloughed employees.” Elias Bingham, No Comply. 

“Boston is basically New York expensive but lowering our overheads let us keep some gas in the tank.” Armin Bachmann, Orchard. 

Read the full interview.

Soy Panday Talking Magenta Graphics - July

Back in the summer, Soy gave us insight into the process of how he creates graphics for Magenta Skateboards, whose brand aesthetic is largely based around his drawings. Shares some highlights and talks of the correlation between skateboarding and drawing. 

“I guess they are both pretty similar. To finish a drawing is much like filming a trick. It can be a struggle, you don't always know how to do it, how it's gonna end up looking, but you are motivated by the end result.”

Read the full interview.

Patrick O’Dell on Skate Media - March

As early March rolled around it became the turning point for many and marked a period of very little global travel. In mid-February Patrick was in London, UK where we got to chat to him about skate media and the role he’s played in shaped the alternative stories that his infamous (and almost before it’s time) Epically Later’d video series told.

"I would definitely do Epicly Later'd again if Vice asked"

Read the full interview.

Aries Sofia Prantera Interview - November

Upon welcoming the brand Aries to Parade in November, Ben Purdue sat down with its founder Sofia to discuss her history in fashion and how creating and running a great brand today is about engaging a community and keeping an importance on the team around you. 

“It’s all about friendships, enjoying what you do, and making sure that the atmosphere where you work together is as important as the product, you know?” 

Read the full interview.

Heitor Da Silva 'Copa' Video Part - March

We were lucky to be in Los Angeles, with Heitor back in February and shot a little edit for the release of the adidas Copa Nationale shoe. It kicked off a big year for Heitor as his rise within skateboarding grew with adidas and Palace Skateboards, culminating in his recent signature colorway for the adidas Forum ADV ’84. See a behind-the-scenes feature on this here. 

Josh Kalis Interview - May

Josh Kalis, Love Park, DC Shoes - it’s a story that is engrained in the creation of modern street skateboarding. During the lockdown and what was to become many FaceTime video calls, Matt Broadley spoke with Josh covering all the topics around getting on DC Shoes, his love of the Lynx and Love Park during its heyday. The stories never get old.

"The story doesn’t stop, it’s just a different chapter"

Read the full interview.

Richard Hart Talks Zines - July

Zines have forever played a part in skateboarding’s sub-society and DIY roots. From punk and hardcore beginnings they are a symbol of the labor of love that a lifetime of skateboarding can often be. Sharing this philosophy is photographer Rich Hart, who spoke with Anthony Pappalardo in July about the need to keep Zines alive in a digital world and how they represent so much more than what is on the page.

What inspired you to start Push Periodical?

“When Slap folded and the internet was taking over, I felt pretty burnt and didn’t really care for the direction skating seemed to be going in.” 

Read the full interview.