Style From The 'Ladies Of Shred'

In the 1970s, Cindy Whitehead made history as an OG girl who skated, in the decade of DogTown, no less. Although skateboarding is known as a male dominated sport, that’s changing.

Today, girls like Alana Smith and Leticia Bufoni are ripping, and making headlines not just for their skating style, but for their personal style as well. Girls who grind, (Smith grind and nosegrind — that is) dress not only for function, but also for fashion. And why shouldn’t they? These girls get respect for what their bodies can do, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also get respect for how they look. As skater Yasmeen Wilkerson tells me, “The thing people get wrong about girls who skate is that their femininity cannot be a source for power.”

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to get rid of the tired notion that girls can’t be amazing and look amazing at the same time. After all, fashion isn’t just about a series of trends and dress habits, it’s an expression of your inner goddess. And, girls who skate totally have fashion idols. Lizzi Reid tells me, “My fashion idol is Fabio Costa.”

In this editorial, get to know some of New York’s fiercest girl skaters, and the styles — from “ghetto goth” to “skate witch” to “post-apocalyptic duchess” that distinguish them.

Photography by New York based photographer, Kelsea Kolso for Culture Trip

Yasmeen Wilkerson @the.neemsay

Best Trick: Fakie ollie (flatground); rock & roll (tranny)
Favorite Skate Brand To Represent When Skating: Adidas, Dickies (for the pants)
Woman Who Inspires You: Lacey Baker, Tyra Banks

Victoria Paez @N1n.JA

Best Trick: Slasher Grinds
Favorite Skate Brand To Represent When Skating: Rip N Dip
Woman Who Inspires You: Audrey Hepburn

Nesa Rampersad @xchip_off_the_old_block

Best Trick: Frontside 180
Favorite Skate Brand To Represent When Skating: Vans
Woman Who Inspires You: Leticia Bufoni, Florence Welsch

Veronique Chalarca @Niquenitro

Best Trick: I’ve been skating for six years, and just last year I started learning tricks, so everything is my best trick.
Favorite Skate Brand To Represent When Skating: SHUT Skateboards, Vans, Converse
Woman Who Inspires You: My friend, Jen Charlenne. She is an amazing skater and positive girl.

Lizzi Reid @skate.witch

Best Trick: Sweepers or early grabs on ramps
Favorite Brand To Represent When Skating: My own handmade skate witch gear. I draw and silkscreen my own designs.
Woman Who Inspires You: Kathleen Hanna

Jenny Irving @jennysayqua

Best Trick: Getting paid to skate.
Favorite Brand To Represent When Skating: Coming soon
Woman Who Inspires You: Michelle Steilen

Zoe Herishen @zoeherishen

Best Trick: 50/50
Favorite Brand To Represent When Skating: Vans
Woman Who Inspires You: Alexis Sablone

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.