Where do skateboards go when they die? If visionary designer Beck Hickey, of New York - based label Beck(y), had her way, they’d all end up at her place. She’s intent on creating unique little treasures out of broken decks, and is turning fashionistas heads with her distinctive creations.
Beck(y)'s product matrix currently features women's handbags including a square mini-tote, curved mini-tote and clutch, as well as two unisex messenger bags and an assortment of belts, belt buckles, money clips and ipod cases. Just like skateboarding itself, all Beck(y) products are functional art.
“Everything is one-of-a-kind and handmade in NYC,” Beck recently told Lifelounge. “I get skateboards from all over the country; I just received a huge crate of 200 decks donated by The SkateLab in California, so I’ll be quite busy for a while!!”
Beck(y)'s aptly named sk8bags are hand made by Beck in her workshop. It's a very time-consuming, labour-intensive process and she counts her lucky stars that she still has all ten fingers. Although she washes the decks and removes the grip tape, Beck stresses, "I don't add anything to the decks and can say with a clear conscience that I'm simply reusing something that was already there." Altering the decks as little as possible throughout the production process is extremely important as Beck strives to always uphold the integrity of her source material.
“From the start, I was intent on using old boards because I liked the texture of the beat up wood mixed with a polished fabric like satin. Once I really started working with the used decks, I started realizing that all the grinding turned the existing art into an impressionistic version of what was originally printed, which is really beautiful. Each board tells its own story of the owner; how he skated, what he grinds on, his own art or stickers he's added to the boards. I've gotten boards that were ridden so hard the wood is softened to some other substance! I do work with new (warranty or warped) boards that are sent to me by manufacturers, but personally I love the used decks more for the fact that they have lived.”
Recycled boards are vital to Beck's operation, and she has a handful of supporters who send her used and warranty boards on a regular basis. To keep the recycled decks coming her way, and to give back to the skateboarding community at the same time, Beck established the Boards 4 Bowls program. For every used board she receives Beck donates $3 to non-profit organizations dedicated to building and maintaining public skateparks across the U.S. Beck currently works with the Tony Hawk Foundation, Jeff Anderson Memorial Fund and Elemental Awareness.
Find more on Beck(y) at www.beckycity.com