CONS at London's Design Museum 10/30/2023 Recently in London, I found myself heading off to another skate event, however, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill video premiere. It was held at the city’s prestigious Design Museum. Their latest exhibition is a companion to Jonathan Olivares' book Skateboard published by Phaidon, which spans from the 1950s to the present day, documenting the birth and evolution of the titular wooden toy. They covered everything from the first boards and videos right up to the modern day plank we all know and love—plus a few quirky, forgotten side quests in between. Along with the collection there was also a miniramp installed by Betongpark, which will stay in the museum and be skateable until June, a much needed relief spot for the London locals over winter. Converse sponsored the show and brought a selection of its team down to bask in the history and break in the ramp. —James Griffiths

Louie Lopez kicking things off on the ramp, back Smith

Raney Beres somehow found the speed to get to the top. Backside boneless

Alexis Sablone was happy to spectate

Louie was stoked

Gavin, backside nosebluntslide for the crowd

Calm before the storm

Louie checking out the exhibition

CONS team gets a look at Buddy's video for the show

A couple of issues of Thrasher made an appearance

Wunderkind Diggs English and his whole family in attendance

Museum curators welcome everyone with a speech

Not your average skate venue

Helena Long, Mickey Patrick and Kevin Firth

It got busy fast. Let's look at some of the artifacts

Early graphics from Natas and the Gonzfather

Hangers before the pinch was invented

And the time before razor tail

We've all heard the stories of steel wheels. Good to know they weren't just myths

The history isn't complete without some riser pads

We now return to the Classics

Kevin Parrot and Flip's Ian Deacon shocked at those rails

The man himself, Leo Sharp

The crowds catch a glimpse of the ramp jam

All walks of life were spotted enjoying the plank

A friend linked up with Wes Morgan

Dan Mathieson came through

Tom Snape was stoked

Cross-generation education from The Skateboard Hall of Fame's Todd Huber, who also helped put the show together

Apparently this really got skated

Todd confirms it

Alexis and Raney taking it in

The mechanics were still puzzling

A sample of fisheyes through the ages

Wes Morgan and Nick Sharratt of Palomino for sure nerded out

Essential viewing

Essential reading

Dan Magee with his pride and joy

UK photo lord Wig Worland made it over

Josh Gislingham too

Betongpark team and the fruits of its labor

This event wouldn't be possible without the man of the hour, curator and designer Jonathan Olivares

And that’s a wrap! Off to the pub

• Converse
• CONS
• James Griffiths
• Louie Lopez
• Raney Beres
• Alexis Sablone
• Buddy Nichols
• Gavin Bottger
• Diggs English
• Design Museum
• Helena Long
• Mickey Patrick
• Kevin firth
• Kevin Parrott
• Ian Dekin
• Leo Sharp
• Wes Morgan
• Dan Mathieson
• Tom Snape
• Nick Sharratt
• Dan Magee
• Wig Worland
• Josh Gislingham
• Betongpark
• Jonathan Olivares