lakai shoes

LAKAI SHOES FOOTWEAR THE BRAND STORY

Lakai footwear was born over 30 years ago when two world skateboarding legends Mike Carroll and Rick Howard were among the strongest and most influential skaters of both the 1990s and beyond.

Two world skateboarding legends felt the need to make a contribution to the global skateboarding shoe industry.

In 1999 at a club in Los Angeles, legend Tim Gavin proposed to his friend Rick Howard to open a skate shoe company that was different from anything else on the market. Officially, “Lakai Limited Footwear” was born.

This brand has always maintained a genuine position in skateboarding without affecting the true essence that has reigned since the birth of skateboarding. Created by skateboarding legends this brand of skate shoes is a global skateboarding big name.

In 1999 after founding Lakai Footwear Mike Carroll decided to call his friend Cairo Foster to join the footwear team and start a new adventure with them. Officially Cairo Foster is the first rider of Lakai Footwear.

THE BEGINNING OF MIKE CARROLL AND RICK HOWARD’S BRAND STORY.

In those years, designer Andy Mueller created the Lakai logo and began his adventure in the American skateboard shoe company as art director.

Something was changing in the skateboarding market.

The first skaters to join the Lakai footwear team were Antonhy Pappalardo, Rob Whelsh, and Jeff Lenoce. Scott Jonston also left the DC team to join the Lakai footwear team. Skateboarding legend Kelly Bird becomes team manager for the brand.

At that time amateurs earn 250US per month to skate for the fledgling brand. Designers work tirelessly to create the first collection.

At the same time the first riders start testing the first shoes that are produced. The Lakai footwear brand was born from skaters and continues to this day to be original and unique.

In May 2000 the first line of Lakai shoes was released, which consisted of the Howard, Carroll, Cohort and Worthy models. These first models are immediately a hit even before they come out and are immediately distributed world wide in the blink of an eye. Lakai was born and that was just the beginning of a success that is still solid and present in skateboarding today.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND “BEWARE OF THE FLARE”

Lakai footwear’s first promotional video was a video tour made around Australia. All the riders on the team pull out powerful lines with innovative tricks.

Brandon Biebel, Rick Howard, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh and many others made the first Lakai film.

Some important riders are missing from the video. The video was distributed in skateshops.

Lakai’s second release was “Beware of the Flare” which was a bigger production than the first promotional video made only a few months earlier. The video this time is shot entirely in Europe with new riders joining the Lakai team.

BRANDON BIEBEL ON TEAM LAKAI

In June 2000 after filming the “Modus Operandi” video Mike Carroll decided to have Brandon Biebel join the Lakai team. The following year Danny Garcia and Scott Johnston joined the team as pros.

At the same time JJ Rousseau becomes the first official European rider for the Lakai brand.

In 2003 Cairo Foster has his first Lakai shoe pro model. Also at that time the two strongest skaters in France join the team. From that moment, the brand’s French gang was born.

In 2004 Lakai shoes brings out the first collaboration with the “Girl skateboards” brand. This custom shoe model was so successful.

The brand was launched to success thanks not only to the collaboration with Girl but, also with other major brands.

Skaters such as Guy Mariano, Jesus Fernadez, Danny Brady, Alex Olson are part of the team. Legend Eric Koston also joins the Lakai footwear team and his pro model comes out in December 2006.

Scott Johnston becomes one of the designers of the brand and his position in the company changes from pro skater to designer. During those years many things happen within the Lakai family.

Brandon Biebel has his own pro model and Lakai does a collaboration with Independent Trucks.

LAKAI APPAREL AND COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER BRANDS.

The brand is not only shoes but also apparel. The brand since its beginnings has always produced a really beautiful and distinctive apparel line as well. The products produced range from classic t shirts to sweatshirts to all kinds of accessories available such as socks, hats, backpacks and other items.

Lakai over the past 20 years has made many collaborations. Today two important collections are worth mentioning such as the one with “Black Sabbath” and “Doom Sayers Club” the brand of legendary skater Omar Salazar.

Doomsayers is a brand founded in Sacramento, California and their logo is a snake that has now gone viral in the states.

Lakai has created a line of clothing and shoes with the two logos blending to create a collection that is unique and original in all aspects.

• VISIT LAKAIFOOTWEAR PAGE

CHOOSE LAKAI SHOES IN OUR SKATESHOP

In our Lakai store you can find the best models we have selected for you. If you need advice on how to choose your shoe, don’t hesitate to contact us at our customer service.

We will help you find the right shoe for you. Pleasures Milano is the leader in skateboarding in the city of Milan.

Today you can buy everything you want on our site at better prices and with unique service and courtesy.

Enter our historic store that has made the history of skateboarding, snowboarding and streetwear in Milan for over 22 years. Choose from over 900 skateboards available.

We ship fast throughout Italy and Europe. Free shipping above 49 euros and free returns throughout Italy.

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