In Stuart’s own words:
“I grew up skateboarding in Southend in the 80s and 90s, and the city has always had such a vibrant scene. It’s hard to compare it to back then - we didn’t have much to skate, so we often built our own obstacles. My grandad made me a jump ramp once, nailed together and completely lethal. It definitely wouldn’t pass health and safety now - if that was even a thing in 1985
Things feel different today. The council has invested in skateboarding, building great parks, and the community is absolutely thriving.
“This project was so much fun. I shot my friends wearing clothes another friend had designed and made here in the UK, and the skaters loved them. We photographed a few of them a couple of years ago and they’re still wearing their Field Trousers -they’ve really lasted. They also loved the Cameraman pants. They’re a great fit and tough too.”
“I first met Patrick on a bike ride years ago. Within five minutes he’d suggested going for a curry, so I knew we’d be firm friends. I love working with Community Clothing. I don’t think many people realise Patrick’s links to skating - how many people can casually mention they’ve been to the Gonz’s house and made him clothes?”
“The Gonz, or Mark Gonzales, is skateboard royalty. Back in the day I made him a few slightly unusual suits - there weren’t many customers like him on Savile Row.” - Patrick
Trick: Layback Frontside Rock n Roll
“It’s funny, some skaters have a trick that they do. Almost like a signature trick or as we call it, their go-to. This one is Shannon’s go-to. The way I shot it was determined by the graffiti at the skatepark. I won’t say anymore, let’s just leave it at that."
Wearing Wide Stripe T shirt In Red/Navy
Trick: Frontside Air to Tail
“I’ve known Arber since he was tiny. Years. He’s always shown so much potential, even from an early age. A natural, some would say. He actually learnt this trick for this photo. Right here this trick is about two minutes old.”
Wearing navy Field Trousers and Metro T shirt
Trick: Nosegrind
“Charlie is an incredible skateboarder, and equally, and I suppose more importantly, an incredible human being. Whatever skate spot or skatepark you go to, street,vert and anything inbetween, Charlie will get bits done! He also has the best music playlist. He brings the speaker, the music, thetricks and the good times - always!”
Wearing olive Field Trousers andBoffles T shirt
Trick: Lipslide
“We’ve always called Rob, ‘Dangerous Rob’, becausehe’s always skated full tilt. Even when he firststarted there was no messing. He goes at whateverhe’s skating at full speed. If hehadn’t found skateboarding,I’d imaginehe’d be equally suited to motocross or something.”
Wearing Field Trousers andgrey Henley
Trick: Invert
“When I’m at the skatepark, I have a running joke, that involves getting kids to go ask Drew to do an Invert.It’s a defining trick in skateboarding. Anything whereyou’re upside down is always a crowd pleaser. Drew was in the lastshoot I did for Community Clothing.He’s the best. Everyone needs a person like Drew in their life.”
Trick: PopShuvit
“There’s a line in the BBC comedy show, This Country where Mandy is going to tattoo Daisy May Cooper’s character, Kerry. Kerry asks for a smaller tattoo and Mandy says. ‘Idon’t do smallones, I only do massiveones’. Cameron never does this tricksmall, he only does massive ones. His mum is a massive Sewing Beefan, apparently.”
Wearing stone Field Trousersand bottlegreen T shirt
Trick: Hardflip
“This trick is called a Hardflip for a reason - they’re hard! Doing them down a flight of stairs and into a pothole ridden roadwasn’t the easiest, but Lou got there in the end - thechamp. I liked how he matched the shop signage.”
Wearing navy Field Trousersand Maroon Rugby Shirt
In Stuart’s own words:
“I grew up skateboarding in Southend in the 80s and 90s, and the city has always had such a vibrant scene. It’s hard to compare it to back then - we didn’t have much to skate, so we often built our own obstacles. My grandad made me a jump ramp once, nailed together and completely lethal. It definitely wouldn’t pass health and safety now - if that was even a thing in 1985
Things feel different today. The council has invested in skateboarding, building great parks, and the community is absolutely thriving.
“This project was so much fun. I shot my friends wearing clothes another friend had designed and made here in the UK, and the skaters loved them. We photographed a few of them a couple of years ago and they’re still wearing their Field Trousers -they’ve really lasted. They also loved the Cameraman pants. They’re a great fit and tough too.”
“I first met Patrick on a bike ride years ago. Within five minutes he’d suggested going for a curry, so I knew we’d be firm friends. I love working with Community Clothing. I don’t think many people realise Patrick’s links to skating - how many people can casually mention they’ve been to the Gonz’s house and made him clothes?”
“The Gonz, or Mark Gonzales, is skateboard royalty. Back in the day I made him a few slightly unusual suits - there weren’t many customers like him on Savile Row.” - Patrick
Trick: Layback Frontside Rock n Roll
“It’s funny, some skaters have a trick that they do. Almost like a signature trick or as we call it, their go-to. This one is Shannon’s go-to. The way I shot it was determined by the graffiti at the skatepark. I won’t say anymore, let’s just leave it at that."
Wearing Wide Stripe T shirt In Red/Navy
Trick: Frontside Air to Tail
“I’ve known Arber since he was tiny. Years. He’s always shown so much potential, even from an early age. A natural, some would say. He actually learnt this trick for this photo. Right here this trick is about two minutes old.”
Wearing navy Field Trousers and Metro T shirt
Trick: Nosegrind
“Charlie is an incredible skateboarder, and equally, and I suppose more importantly, an incredible human being. Whatever skate spot or skatepark you go to, street,vert and anything inbetween, Charlie will get bits done! He also has the best music playlist. He brings the speaker, the music, thetricks and the good times - always!”
Wearing olive Field Trousers andBoffles T shirt
Trick: Lipslide
“We’ve always called Rob, ‘Dangerous Rob’, becausehe’s always skated full tilt. Even when he firststarted there was no messing. He goes at whateverhe’s skating at full speed. If hehadn’t found skateboarding,I’d imaginehe’d be equally suited to motocross or something.”
Wearing Field Trousers andgrey Henley
Trick: Invert
“When I’m at the skatepark, I have a running joke, that involves getting kids to go ask Drew to do an Invert.It’s a defining trick in skateboarding. Anything whereyou’re upside down is always a crowd pleaser. Drew was in the lastshoot I did for Community Clothing.He’s the best. Everyone needs a person like Drew in their life.”
Trick: PopShuvit
“There’s a line in the BBC comedy show, This Country where Mandy is going to tattoo Daisy May Cooper’s character, Kerry. Kerry asks for a smaller tattoo and Mandy says. ‘Idon’t do smallones, I only do massiveones’. Cameron never does this tricksmall, he only does massive ones. His mum is a massive Sewing Beefan, apparently.”
Wearing stone Field Trousersand bottlegreen T shirt
Trick: Hardflip
“This trick is called a Hardflip for a reason - they’re hard! Doing them down a flight of stairs and into a pothole ridden roadwasn’t the easiest, but Lou got there in the end - thechamp. I liked how he matched the shop signage.”
Wearing navy Field Trousersand Maroon Rugby Shirt
“If you’ve met me anywhere in the last year or two, you’ve probably seen me wearing these. It’s probably my favourite of all the trousers we make at Community Clothing.” Meet Patrick's favourite trousers. The Field Trouser.
One Track Club is a global, science-driven running community and coaching platform designed for "everyday athletes" seeking structured training who we've been chatting to recently about our nature positive running gear.They've very kindly offered CC customers a month's free trial (open to everyone), on top of which you have the chance to win a coaching package worth £450.
We asked award-winning photographer, writer and skater Stuart Clapp (whose photos now appear in the pages of skateboard magazines - something that would have blown the mind of his younger self), along with his pals in the South Essex skateboarding community, to field-test the Community Clothing trousers.
