You’ve got a penchant for print media and you’ve even produced a documentary on skateboard magazines. Where does this passion come from? Does it represent some sort of nostalgia?
I’m really fond of the print medium. I like everything tangible, I’m from that pre-Internet generation. I used to constantly buy magazines to keep up to date with what was going on. I’ve been skateboarding since I could walk, so honestly, I’d buy all the specialist magazines – I even subscribed to foreign ones. In fact, that’s how I learned English. As a magazine collector and a witness to the printed medium slowly dying out, this is what spurred me on to lay down the rather crazy challenge of making a documentary on the future of magazine media. I travelled the four corners of the world to interview skateboarding magazines. Of course I’m nostalgic! In my eyes, the 90s were a truly special decade. It was another time.
Tell us a bit about the LB Project.
I launched the LB project to form a group around skateboarding and art. As an artist, I’ve always believed in sharing, mixing ideas and uniting forces. So I launched the project to create connections and build bridges.
Why is there such a strong link between skateboarding and creativity?
Skateboarding and art are inseparable. When I started skateboarding, I was more into the design under the board rather than the brand name. I was hooked right away on pieces by Mark McKee and Sean Cliver. It’s them who made me want to take an interest in something other than skateboarding itself. There was a message behind their work.
We know all about your love for skateboarding, but how did you get into drawing?
I discovered art pretty late in life. I was 26 and I had no idea what I was doing. I just had this massive urge to pull out everything I’d stored in my head over all these years.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m a huge fan of Fernand Léger, and fauvism from Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, André Derain to name a few. Otherwise, in terms of more modern-day stuff, I love Zio Ziegler and Geoff McFetridge.
Like HOM, you’re originally from the South of France. Where is the best place to skate in the Provence region?
Cannes, without a doubt.
What motivates you everyday?
I like all that’s alternative. I like meeting new people, being surprised and surprising others.
You’re working on a future collection with HOM. Can you tell us what the theme will be?
It’s still under wraps, but there’ll be lots of love and poetry.
What can we expect from you in 2019?
At the beginning of January, I’ll be touring W Hotels in China. I’m working on a huge book project with the hotel chain, which should come out around September 2019. From March until May, I’ll be in New York, Montreal, Boston and Portland for various art projects. In June, my collaboration with HOM will be coming out, and there’ll most likely be a pop-up store organized in Paris. In July, I’ll be organizing my very first Art Camp in the bay of Saint-Tropez, and come September, I’ll be heading to Asia to celebrate the publication of my first book with W Hotels.
Let’s talk about clothes: do you prefer plain or patterned socks?
Patterned socks.
Are you more into briefs or boxers? Old school or new school?
Boxers.
Pajamas or an old t-shirt?
Old t-shirt.
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