Brought to you by Modelo Especial
California-based designer Gabe Willis put together the STRGHT brand to offer skaters the chance to ride quality made boards grounded in authentic roots and craftsmanship. STRGHT’s mantra is to provide skaters with the chance to ride hand-carved vintage boards filled with modern-day innovation. Each board is made with locally sourced wood from San Diego rendering these classic boards "100% Made in the USA."
Willis beautifully captures the classic Californian way of life with girls in high-waisted shorts, boys on their boards, faded filters and vivid image colors on the STRGHT Instagram account that highlights the Californian lifestyle of people skateboarding around the sunny city. When asked where he finds inspiration, Gabe replies that he has "... always been into it and a lover of patterns and fabrics." This allows him to take inspiration from the person the board is being designed for and incorporate their unique look and style into the board's overall aesthetic design. Willis is also greatly inspired by his childhood goals, ambitions and dreams that steam from this most genuine point in his life. He sites his childhood is his number one source for authentic creativity.
Willis’ decks are thicker than the average board to pay homage to the progression of skateboarding culture and some of the first boards ever made. With a thicker wooden deck Willis can show off STRGHT’s beautifully intricately etched designs that make these skateboards works of art that are also great to ride. Willis’ family’s engraving company developed the machinery that’s used to precision carve these boards with a wide variety of shapes, graphic, colors and patterns. The artwork on these boards are designed by Willis and his team to last the test of time and hopefully be an heirloom you'll think about passing on to your children in a similar condition you first rode it in. Not only do these engraved decks look extremely cool, the etching allows boarders to enjoy riding the board barefoot. These boards are great for the beach, cruising around town and living it up under the sun.
STRGHT’s latest board collection, ‘I’ll Take You There,’ draws inspiration from nature and fashion. The line features a wide variety of bamboo cruiser skateboards with psychedelic colors, intricately etched detailing and geometric patterns that are perfect for this summer season.
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Modelo Especial Presents: Vintage-Inspired Skate Decks
STRGHT Skateboards Makes Handmade Skate Decks With a Vintage Twist
Trend Themes
1. Vintage-inspired Skate Decks - Opportunity for designers to create quality made boards grounded in authentic roots and craftsmanship with locally sourced wood.
2. Nature and Fashion-inspired Skateboard Collection - Opportunity for designers to create skateboard collections with unique geometric patterns and psychedelic colors.
3. Engraved Skate Decks - Opportunity for skateboard companies to create engraved boards for a unique riding experience.
Industry Implications
1. Skateboard Design - Skateboard designers can use locally sourced wood and etching to create unique boards.
2. Fashion Retail - Incorporating skateboard culture into fashion retail for apparel could appeal to similar subculture demographic.
3. Craftsmanship Production - Companies that use locally sourced wood and pay homage to heritage crafting techniques can create more authentic products.