Two weeks ago, Piilgrim, the UK-based skate clothing company, premiered their newest video, Chrysalis, on YouTube. While online premieres lack the raw energy of in-person events, they offer a convenient alternative. No need to sneak in drinks or wait in line, and you can light up as soon as the video ends.
Piilgrim, founded by Mark Kendrick, stands out for its commitment to ethically made clothing with minimal waste. Kendrick, also the filmmaker behind Piilgrim’s videos, has a background in skateboarding, including appearances in Habitat videos and his own Shads project. Piilgrim aims to fill a gap in the skate clothing market by producing high-quality, sustainable apparel. We spoke with Mark to delve into the inspiration behind his projects.
Featuring
Jeremy Jones
Keanu Robson
Zach Riley
Pat Burke
Ricky Davidson
Franklin Stephens
Jiri Bulin
Piilgrim's skate video featuring various skaters
Q&A with Mark Kendrick, the Creator of Piilgrim
Where did the name Piilgrim come from, and why the double “i”?
The name is inspired by Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, where the protagonist is named Billy Pilgrim. It was initially a song title for my old band, Base Ventura. The extra “i” creates a triple “i”, subtly referencing the pineal gland, often called the Third Eye, representing the ability to see beyond the ordinary. The word “pilgrim” resonated with me because it evoked the idea of a long, meaningful journey, which aligns with the feeling I had when starting Piilgrim.
What about the late ’60s and early ’70s hippie aesthetic inspires Piilgrim?
My mother’s influence is significant. She was a true hippie, embracing the free-love movement and playing artists like The Beatles, 13th Floor Elevators, and Pink Floyd. Growing up surrounded by her record collection, I was captivated by the colors and imagery. The reverberating guitars and experimental sounds of that era have always resonated with me, as have the classic and timeless shapes and designs of the clothing. I often incorporate corduroy and workwear shapes, drawing inspiration from vintage military apparel, as well as colorful, patterned fabrics synonymous with the 70s.
If you could time travel to the 60s, would you perform some kickflips to blow people’s minds?
That’s Doc’s theory, isn’t it? Time travel prevents you from altering the past. Even a minor change could cause a major shift in skateboarding’s progression. Imagine Pat Duffy’s iconic double kink 5050 becoming a flip front 5050, or Jamie Thomas attempting the Leap Of Faith switch – interesting, right?
Jiri Bulin performs a heelflip on a cobblestone street
Your older videos, like Shads, have a psychedelic visual style. Are these visuals inspired by psychedelic drugs?
I’ve experimented, but contrary to what people think, my creative process isn’t drug-fueled. I find my best ideas and editing flow happens first thing in the morning with a strong coffee. Shads, a full-length video documenting the Manchester skate scene, took about five years to film. It was a relief to complete the project, and I don’t regret the time it took.
How long did you work on the Chrysalis project?
We’ve been filming more seriously over the last 12 months. Filming in 4:3 HD format is a bit of a challenge, requiring me to film most of the riders myself. I had hoped to have a premiere party in Manchester, but due to the pandemic, we are launching it online, followed by our summer 2020 collection the following week.
Piilgrim's video promotional gif
How did you connect with Pat Burke, and were you hesitant about having international team members?
Pat is one of my all-time favorite skaters. About ten years ago, I took two DVDs with me on a three-month trip to Australia – Slave – Radio Television and the first series of Eastbound & Down. Pat’s part in the latter, skating to the show’s soundtrack, blew my mind. I knew we were on the same wavelength. I contacted Ben Horton earlier this year, and he connected me with Pat. Pat was exactly as I had imagined and was keen to be involved. We aim to collaborate with others from around the world who share the same vision, and Pat perfectly embodies that.
Is there a message behind the cutaway clips between the parts?
I understand what they represent to me, but I prefer that people interpret the video through their own lenses rather than me explaining.
A promotional shot of Piilgrim's clothing
Piilgrim’s Instagram bio reads “earth-conscious vegan apparel.” Does this mean no animals are involved in the production of your clothing?
Yes, although those paws are not very good at sewing. We use the term “earth-conscious” to emphasize that we are actively minimizing our impact on the environment. This includes using biodegradable polybags instead of single-use plastic, and organic cotton produced without harmful chemicals and pesticides. We work with factories that prioritize fair labor practices and share our ethos.
Should all brands be adopting eco-friendly and vegan practices? Is there a space for companies that don’t?
Ideally, yes, but first, people need to grasp the negative effects of meat consumption before even addressing the cruelty aspect. It wouldn’t align with my personal beliefs to have a company that doesn’t prioritize sustainability. We aren’t trying to force this on anyone, but we create great clothes that people can enjoy. Unfortunately, ethical production often costs more, making it harder for companies to justify this to those focused on budgets. While change is happening, it’s not fast enough.
Piilgrim's video promotional gif
Does it frustrate you when you see big skate clothing brands not prioritizing ethical production?
One simple step all brands can take is using biodegradable packaging and avoiding single-use plastics. The clothing industry is notorious for its waste, and most brands don’t seem to care. Yes, it does cost a little more, but the amount of waste going to landfills is appalling. It’s also important to build better quality products that last, rather than creating things with a short lifespan that require people to buy more the following season. We want Piilgrim jackets to last. Fast fashion needs to disappear.
Finally, will you ever release a capotain hat as a homage to the pilgrims?
Yes, that’s in the works for 2021!
Video by: Mark Kendrick
Photos by: Reece Leung & Rafski
Q&A by: Larry Lanza
