In 2019 I collaborated on a project called 'Long Lost' with Liverpool's legendary skateshop, Lost Art. That year Lost Art was celebrating its twentieth anniversary and they called on a number of friends of the shop to create collaborative projects. I had been in Lost Art on the opening day, had worked in the store through the years and have known Mackey for a long time.
The project was great fun and I was (and am) immensely proud to have been involved. Earlier this year (2024, now Lost Art's 25th anniversary) a skater who had bought one of the Long Lost caps got in touch. After five years of solid wear his cap needed a bit of repairing, could we do it? Oh, and could we make a new one just the same too?
I've made a lot of hats, from a lot of stuff, but I've never repaired one and I've never seen a hat this far gone! I like a challenge though, and, after confirming they would be 'visible' repairs, I set to work.
Deep clean. Deconstruction. Make a lining. Patch up the holes. Reconstruction. And Rebirth. The result is joyous and full of character. I like it so much I'm planning to search for fabrics that are way past their best and see what we can bring back to life. Watch this space.