John Shanahan talks DC Shoes, cut and sew and 90's revivalism
DC Shoes rider John Shanahan talks puffy cargo pants and big shoes
American footwear brand DC Shoes has a distinguished 20-year history in the skate world. Founded in 1994 by Ken Block and Damon Way, and now based in Huntington Beach, California, it produces clothing and accessories, as well as its trademark shoes, including signature collections from US skating superstars Chris Cole, Mikey Taylor, Wes Kremer, Rob Dyrdek and Nyjah Huston.
DC’s global skate team features some of the world’s finest talents, including Cole, Danny Way, Dyrdek, Colin McKay, Josh Kalis, Huston, Taylor, Mike Mo Capaldi, Matt Miller, Steve Berra, Evan Smith, Wes Kremer and Felipe Gustavo. The European team is made up of Josef Scott Jatta, Thaynan Costa, Madars Apse and Manuel Margreiter, and there is also a five-man UK squad – Conhuir Lynn, Dave Snaddon, Sean Smith, Dylan Hughes and Nicky Howells.
In 2011, DC established the DC Embassy in Barcelona, a 1200m2 indoor concrete skate park, built in collaboration with some of the most respected EU riders and the world’s best skatepark builders. Since its opening, DC riders, Embassy ambassadors (such as Antony Lopez, Jody Smith and Ruben Garcia), invitational skaters, friends and teams have all had the opportunity to show their skills there.
The company’s first skate video, simply called The DC Video, was released in 2003 – filmed on location around the world, it featured the revolutionary DC Mega Ramp. This has been followed by many great films, including the 2009 online promo Skateboarding Is Forever, featuring parts from all the members of the company’s amateur team at the time.
