CultureWHAT HAPPENED @ END. TALKS: AN EVENING WITH SKEPTA & PUMA IN CONVERSATION WITH ALHAN GENÇAY
22 May 2024To celebrate his debut collection with PUMA, “Skope Forever”, we invited creative luminary Skepta to take part in the latest instalment of END. Talks at END. London.
As I wandered through Soho on a sunny, characteristically busy Saturday afternoon, it struck me the abstract parallels between the district and one of the UK’s most important artists of the past two decades, Skepta. There’s a tangible energy in Soho fuelled by artistic creativity and self-expression, something which the multihyphenate musician, artist, film producer and fashion designer effortlessly mirrors. It’s no surprise Skepta often spends time in the district, the offices for his MAINS label and Big Smoke Corporation being located right at its very heart.
The agenda for the evening was another instalment of END. Talks — an ongoing series where we host discussions in our flagship stores with creative luminaries — celebrating the launch of Skepta’s debut collection with the sportswear brand: “Skope Forever”. The evening kickstarted with an insightful conversation between Skepta, Alhan Gençay, Myles O’Meally and Charlie Groom, delving into topics including the collection’s inspiration, the influential creative world he has cultivated and his own experiences with fatherhood.
Following the talk, Skepta then took the time meet and speak with fans, stopping for pictures and signing everything from pairs of his debut sneaker with PUMA, “Skope Forever”, to copies of his list of coveted album releases. It’s here you really get a feel for how important community and fans are to Skepta, with the artist really taking the time to engage with each person on an individual level.