NIKITA NATION

On 22nd June, the eighth Suck My Trucks (SMT) event, the ever growing women’s skateboard contest, took place. This year it was a part of the “Mellow Jam” music & culture festival with good music and yummy Food! About 200 people came over and enjoyed the contest.

Of course, Nikita was there for girls who ride and sponsored the popular Spot Tour which was held one day before the main event at the Global Go Skateboarding Day. About 35 girls participated in the tour. 

And thanks to Sarah de Laet, our Belgian Nikita Rider, who gave everything for the tour and spread a positive vibe all the time, the atmosphere during the tour was great.

The next day began the contests: a street session, a mini ramp challenge, the street race was one day afterwards. 13 girls competed in the street session and Aldana Bertran from Argentina won the competition. In the mini ramp challenge, our Nikita Ambassador Alissa Fessl from Austria took the first place. The 9-year-old girl, Roxana Howlett from UK, won the 2nd place.

Take a look for yourself and see just how fun the Suck My Trucks 2019 Contest and the Nikita Spot Tour Event were this year! 

This interview with pro skateboarder Amelia Brodka originally appeared in the pages of our newest collection's catalog. Enjoy!

Amelia Brodka is a Polish-born skateboarder who moved to the U.S.A. with her family for what her parents told her was, a “summer vacation” when she was 8 years old. Amelia started skating in 2001 and has since had an extremely full and well-documented career. She’s not only claimed (and continues to claim) podiums for herself, but also found a way to give back to the female skate community along the way by founding the non-profit organization Exposure Skate. Currently residing in Southern California and enjoying the good life, Amelia splits her time between organizing all-female skate days and seeking out the best vert ramps and parks to skate for herself.

What’s your favorite part about skateboarding?
My favorite part about skateboarding is the feeling you get when you overcome fear and self-doubt and finally roll away from a new trick.

What drew you to choose transition (vert and bowl) over street?
I skated mostly street when I lived on the East Coast but lost interest in jumping down stair sets when I moved to the land of abundant skateparks.

What are challenges you have faced or still face?
Challenges are constant but they are opportunities for growth.

Describe Exposure in two sentences or less
Exposure Skate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers women and girls through skateboarding.

How many events does Exposure put on every year?
Exposure runs one major event each year- the world’s largest women’s skateboarding event which features Pro and Am Vert, Bowl and Street competitions as well as skate clinics and a vendor village. Additionally, we run monthly Skate Rising youth events focused on community service and skateboarding as well as adult clinics and girls’ sessions.

What’s the best thing (to you) that’s come out of Exposure Skate?
I love seeing the global community of girls’ skateboarding come together to share their love for the sport. It’s such a treat seeing beginner, amateur and professional street, bowl and vert skateboarders from 15 different countries all in one place!

We here at NIKITA are excited to announce that our team rider Amelia Brodka is Outiside TV's Campfire featured athlete of the month! Gather up your videos and stories of you and your fellow Outsiders, upload them to the Outside TV Campfire App and your social media you get entered to win tons of gear from Amelia's sponsors.

Excited? So are we- to find out more about the contest details and what's going on during the month, press play on the video below and watch Amelia explain it all.

 Exposure Skate 2017 is a wrap!

Nikita Clothing was proud to be a sponsor for this year's event and had so much fun bringing Ambassadors Janthavy Norton @janthavy and Marisa Garcia @mar2d2_ out for the contest.

We had a weekend packed with skateboarding, photoshoots, taco dinners and some insanely picture-perfect California sunsets.

While the girls were skating, Deana @sunnyyddee was hard at work pressing custom Nikita For Girls Who Ride hats for every girl that stopped by!

If you couldn't make it to the competition itself, be sure to check out the complete Livestream recap of the event here and mark your calendars for Exposure 2018 next fall!

All photos - Nikki Hand @nikki_hand

Our spotlight this month is settling on Marisa Garcia; a video-game loving, sewing-machine operating, kitty cat holding, skateboarding creative who quietly slays everything she takes on. With old skool style and new skool attitude, this Texas native is an anomaly we can't get enough of. 

What’s your name and where are you from? Where do you live now?

I was born in San Antonio, Texas and I now reside in Austin! 

When did you start skateboarding and how did you get into it?

I started skating in 2013 around April!  I got into skateboarding in college when I realized a skate park was 5 minutes away from campus.  I had always wanted to skateboard growing up but never had the opportunity, support, or ideal situation for it.  As hard as I tried, skateboarding was not an option for me when I was younger, so I made it my opportunity after being in college for a few years and summoning up the courage to actually go to the park with borrowed boards and friends that knew how to skate. 

Why have you stuck with it? What hooked you?

I’ve wanted to skateboard my whole life and within these last couple years, I finally had the opportunity to; it brings about an unexplainable happiness and I can’t imagine a life without skating.  There are a lot more reasons, some obvious and some more personal but in short, skateboarding lit a fire within me that nothing else compared to.  I’ve hurt myself skating in ways that will leave me in pain for the rest of my life, but I’ve never for a moment questioned why I keep skating.  I just step on my board, forget about everything, and let that inner fire and passion take me to places I never thought possible. 

You’re passionate about other things too- what are they?

I love drawing and painting a lot!  It’s another form of creativity and skateboarding has actually really inspired a lot of the art that I make.  I’m also pretty passionate about playing video games!  Whether it’s on my consoles at home or in the arcade, games are a great stress reliever and of course, super fun.  Fight games are some of my favorites; if I could, I would buy the Killer Instinct II arcade game/cabinet from the main arcade I frequent! 

When did you start making art? 

I’ve been making art since I was little, but as far as the art that I make now, I started that when I also started skating.  Growing up, I drew some skateboarding art (since that was as close to skateboarding as I could get) but I mostly drew comics and little anime characters.  In 2014, I started making the art that I do now; definitely adopted a darker twist on things along with my main ghoul guy that I always draw as well.  

What’s your favorite thing to draw right now?

Ghouls!  I really love making little creepy monsters with tons of eyes, skeleton or muscle bodies, and goopy features.  Dark style has a lot of possibilities when drawing and you can get inspiration from so many different things.

What are your favorite mediums to work with?

Ink and watercolor!  I absolutely love mixing harsh, black lines with vivid watercolors. 

Does your art tie into your skateboarding? Or vice-versa? Do you think they’re connected?

Oh absolutely!  I tend to draw people that inspire me or skate spots that that scare me.  Sometimes painting what I’m scared of actually helps my skating; it makes it less scary and more approachable like the art in front of me.  Skateboarding is an art and art requires creativity; the two involve an “outside of the box” approach to get to a desired final outcome, so they are most definitely connected and go hand in hand in my opinion!  

What’s something you love about the Texas skate scene that we don’t know?

The support that is given in the Texas scene is unbelievable.  Everyone has so much talent and passion in how they skate and they love to share the happiness skating brings with others.  There will always be people that are sticks in the mud, but I can proudly say that in Texas, all of the awesome experiences and rad people that I’ve met have helped encourage everyone and also helped get me to where I am today.  We have a huge network of skaters that are also just amazing individuals; friends are everywhere and Texas skaters just want to shred and get stoked!

What’s your favorite trick right now?

Oh gosh that’s a hard one!  I’d have to say on vert it’s backside airs and in bowls it’s front smiths and monty grinds/back smiths! 

What’s your favorite piece from the Nikita FW1718 collection?

It’s so hard to choose, but my favorite piece is still the Starward Jacket!  Texas is finally cooling off and I love the jacket because it’s warm, fashionable, and the hood reminds me of Assassins Creed.  Design lines and fabric make this jacket a staple piece that will never go out of style.    I feel like a badass video game character in it and just love wearing this jacket!  

Who do you ride with regularly? Who’s your crew?

I skate with so many people but my main crew is my boyfriend and my vert friends!  We all love skating the vert ramp together as well as some of the other gnarly parks in Texas.  A lot of us share the same interests as well so after skating we go to the arcade or to shows!  In Austin, we also have an all girls crew called Rip Riot and I love skating and getting inspired by those ladies! 

Who do you look up to and who inspires you?

Nora Vasconcellos inspires me so much!  She’s my favorite skater and absolutely shreds; not to mention seeing her go pro on Welcome was a huge deal.  It’s hard not to get inspired by someone like her!  In addition to that, Darren Navarette is another huge inspiration in my skating; he skates vert like a mad man and his style is something I definitely look up to.  My friend Sandy Peraza is also a huge inspiration to me not only in her shredding, but in her art as well!  She is a true skateboarder and an amazing artist that has her very own style.  She might be a thousand miles away from me, but she keeps me stoked even from states away!  

What are you working on right now (in skating, in life, in general- whatever!)?

I’m currently working on some denim apparel designs specifically made for skating and a few wedding dress designs as well for some of my friends that might potentially be tying the knot in the next few years!  Besides trying to draw as often as I can and move some skate tricks up to vert, I’m pretty much enjoying life and taking each day as it comes!  Oh and beating Zelda Breath of the Wild!  I don’t even want to look at how many hours I’ve put into exploring every corner and mountain in that game!

It's all about the attitude. p. Nika Kramer

Suck My Trucks has been putting on events for girls who ride for a few years now, and only growing in popularity. When a event like this has been going on for a few years and only getting bigger, chances are someone out there created something that the people are loving.

A look back at Suck My Trucks 2015- year after year, it just gets better. p. Nika Kramer

That 100% is the case with Suck My Trucks in Germany, with their latest event, a Spottour Event- where they put on a street and bowl skateboarding contest just for girls, with prizes like a year-long product sponsorship from Nikita Clothing (that's us!), plus some cash and tons of other great prizes.

The girls showed up and made it known that they were there to ride their hearts out; landing tricks, laughing and trading new song lyrics they made up along the way.

Take a look for yourself and see just how fun the Suck My Trucks 2017 Nikita Clothing Spottour event was this year!  

Elements of sun, sand & sun tan lotion come to mind when skipping through tracks from The Growlers, ODESZA & Mac Demarco in this latest For Girls Who Ride Spotify Playlist from @janthavy.

Enjoy!

Images - Nikki Hand

We just checked the weather for Phoenix, and it says 105°F all week long- how are you coping with this summer heat?! 

Photos - Max Thaler

Video/Edit - Julian Pfretzschner

The day was hot, the curbs were too, and if there was a pool full of water there- it would've been cool. Suffice it to say, the event that went off on July 22nd was everything it promised to be, and more.

Girls got together and skated for fun and for prizes, with the top ladies walking away with some $$$ to support their talents!

Trend forecast: Tutus and leis?

The judges never missed a move-

And everyone left a winner!

Thanks again to all the girls that showed up for the Hot Curbs and Cool Pools Girls Jam. You all ripped, and we had such a blast hanging out with you. Big thanks to the organizers and all the other sponsors; Skateboarding München. e.V, Gorilla, who came together to make this event happen.

We can't wait to get back on our boards!

Kicking off this weekend July 22nd and 23rd- the Hot Curbs and Cool Pools Girls Jam is about to go down in Munich!

With contests for all ages and abilites; prizes, food and more- this is going to be an event you won't want to miss, so be sure to RSVP on the Facebook Event now. 

See below for more info from Skateboarding Munchen! See you this weekend- Saturday and Sunday 🔥🌴  #forgirlswhoride

The Saturday and Sunday begins with free coaching powered by Gorilla. Here everybody can learn the first steps (or pushes) on the skateboard, regardless of their age. At the same time, the skateboard park "Am Gleisdreieck" in Pasing will provide the European women's skate elite with a true trick battle at Skate Jam. This is not only about rum and honor, but also about prizes worth over € 4,000! If you do not already have a contest experience, you will not be short of course. We split the contest into categories U14, Ü14 Sponsored and Ü14 Unsponsored. Also in the other categories there are fabulous prices of Blue Tomato, Nikita, Volcom, Stance and Nais Berlin dust. Since, despite the contest, the fun and the feeling of a real girl gang are all about us, Greek salad is inviting us to a dignified rider's dinner. Afterwards the Girls Night Out is pulled around the houses.

On Sunday we do not let ourselves hang and go straight on with a hammer program. If you could marvel at the pro-class yesterday, you have the opportunity to cruise with international pros in the skatepark "Im Gefilde" and to get valuable tips and tricks. With a lot of new inspiration and power, you can go directly to the Girls Gone Wild Jam, where you can clear up the fine prices of our sponsors in various categories. If the weather does not play, the skating rink in Freising is exclusively available for the entire weekend. The Hot Curbs & Cool Pools Girls Jam takes place regardless of the weather.

For all girls, who want to come from a little further but do not want to miss a mega weekend, we provide free sleeping possibilities and guiding to the spots available. The places are coveted, so nix as ran to the registration . Please remember   to send the disclaimer .

This month we’re serving up a funky, soulful and melodic mix with iconic beats worthy of listening from start to finish- ranging from old school Missy & TLC to the last from Madame Gandhi and Kaytranada. 

Whether you throw this on for a mellow night at home, or trance-out wearing headphones around town, it’s sure to deliver a head-bobbing buzz. 

TRACKLIST:

Swim High - BABYTEETH, Rivka Rose

Black Ego - Digable Planets

I Spy - Skepta

Under Your Spell - Desire

Zealots - Fugees

About Her - Malcom McLaren

Make It Up - Tirzah

Care - Kaada 

Her - Madame Gandhi

Summer - Raf Riley, Etta Bond, Avelino, Dun D

Bad Blood - SBTRKT Remix - NAO, SBTRKT

The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) - Missy Elliott

Ain’t Too Proud 2 Beg -  TLC

I Want Your Love - Chromatics

Army Of Me - Bjork

The Narcissist (ft. Inga Copeland) - Dean Blunt

There’s a Light Out On The Horizon - Chromatics

The Gaudy Side Of Town - Gayngs

Sunny Duet (feat. the Mind) - Noname, The Mind

I Fell In Love - Gidge

Breathe - Telepopmusik

Little Death - Lupe Fiasco, Nikki Jean

Strangers - Portishead 

Skin - Grimes

Distrations I: The Opposite Sex - Kilo Kish

Empire Ants - Gorillaz, Little Dragon

You’re The One - KAYTRANADA, Syd

I’m Better - Missy Elliott, Eve, Lil Kim, Trina

Pains - Silk Rhodes

Bullets - KAYTRANADA, Little Dragon

Nikita Clothing caught up with devilishly on-point illustrator and artist Spacegoth to learn more about her, her art, and how skateboarding tied them all together.

Tell us about your background. Where are you from and where do you live right now?

I kinda grew up all over the place. I’ve lived in Louisiana, Northern California, Orange County, San Diego and LA for the last 10 years. I'm temporarily caught up in OC at the moment. 

You are one multi-talented lady. Is there any surface you’re not already creating on? Anything you really want to get into with your art?

I’ve always wanted to do my own screen printing. I know how from making my own screens with crude little home made versions from silk scarves and elders glue. I have a real set up for screen printing, but I’ve just been too scared to dive in… Now that I say that, I have NO idea why.

What medium did you start with? Did you go to school for illustration? If not how did you get your start on this path?

I have been drawing and painting since I was a child… I learned anything I know how to do from either teaching myself or watching other methods and taking it on myself to try and make it work.

I used to share a little skate house with 5 dudes. One day at the house, I remember looking at a piece of paper I had been painting on and I figured out I could make SOMETHING out of it. Then I just started drawing more and more- trying to find a character that represented me. I can’t draw people, so I think my reaper came from trying to depict a human form to express myself.

When did you realize that art could be a source of income and how does that affect your use your social media?

I got fired from a job I had for 2 years and, although I’ve always been reliable for work, for whatever reason I panicked. Luckily, I had spent the last two years building an online audience for my work. I posted about being fired and having to sell some art until I could find a job…. I haven’t looked for one yet. Now, I have to keep my eye on my Instagram and Twitter pretty much all day- I’m either getting questions about a piece already on my website or someone is asking about commissions. I never expected it to be like this.

What keeps you inspired to keep working as an artist? How does this channel into your “style”? Do you fans provide this kind of support?

I feel as though all forms of art are simply an extension of ones personal perception of and struggle with the world. When I started creating I did so only to convey the pain and isolation I had experienced in my life as a whole up to this point and every day. I didn't realize that letting the pain go and sharing it with the rest of the world would be the thing that would ultimately alleviate it and bring me out of the isolation I was feeling.

I feel like that is the duty of all creative people- we have a responsibility to create and share in the hopes that it may alleviate someone else's pain and isolation as well. My fans are constantly reinforcing this belief in me- that response is overwhelming.

How has skating influenced your work and is there a connection between skating and your work?

I've been around skateboarding essentially my whole life. By being raised with young parents, I was able to experience the skateboarding community from an early age. I feel like the connection between the two is in my humor. I’ve learned to be extremely frank from hanging around with mostly guys. All of the girls I know who skate seem to have the same kind of weird humor that I do, and that makes me feel better.

When did you start skating and how did you first get into it? 

Well I’ve been pushing around since I was like 13. The last time I skated an actual park I hurt my wrist, and also recently actually hurt my ankle pushing around my old neighborhood. For me, it’s hard because I use my right hand to draw. If I hadn’t found illustration as a career, there’s a good chance I would have been able to focus on skating more. I suppose for me skating is something thats just a normal part of everyone’s life; and especially for my generation, I really think that’s true. Even kids that don’t skate have a best friend or sibling that does- this community is and always has been open to everyone who wants to really be in it.

Do you have a crew that you skate with or that keeps you motivated to keep skating?

I have a bunch of girl friends that skate. I rarely see them because of busy schedule or literally just crazy distance- those girls keep me hyped on it even though I’m not going out and skating anything sick- it makes me wanna go out.

What is your deck set up right now? Trucks/ wheels/ etc...

I most recently was using a tired board with independent trucks, but I really can’t remember what wheels are on it!

What's your favorite piece from the SS17 Nikita collection?

I love the mesh hoodie and i'm obsessed with beanies.

Follow Spacegoth now to see more of her eerily amazing art, and get more familiar with her and her hoard of reapers she keeps close to her heart.