BLUP50 member DJ Lukey is a London based DJ, co-founder of the lifestyle brand Stööki and starter of the #StookiMovement.

// YOUR WORD FOR 2021

Compassion.

// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK/TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?

Touch down Mars! NASA did good.

// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE

I’ve always had an equal passion for design and music, and started making beats from a young age. I studied Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins and London Communications College whilst beginning to DJ around London at that time. My Uni experience definitely made me realise I wanted to start my own business. Shortly after graduating I co-founded the lifestyle brand Stööki and the #StookiMovement began. We released our first ‘Make Your Mark’ collection and hosted our first launch event in 2011. I was part of the DJ and production duo Stööki Sound from 2012 and we were lucky enough to be able to tour around the world, connect with amazing people and lived in the US for a while. Now I’m based in London DJ’ing and producing as well as being Creative Director for Stööki. This year marks Stööki’s 10th year anniversary and it’s crazy how time has flown, we have something very special planned to celebrate the journey so far!

//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?

The lockdown life consists of… *In no particular order* coffee! making music, mixing, calls/zoom, connecting with friends, designing, running, cooking and some sage burnin.

// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?

I like discovering new music whilst going for runs.

// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

Stööki’s first collection ‘Make Your Mark’ launch event at Red Bull Studios. I feel lucky to have started the brand with some very special people and my best friends Quincey Cassell Williams ‘Creative Strategist’ (R.I.P 1988 – 2014) & Nadia Abbas ‘Jewellery Technologist’. We put so much hard work into conceptualising the brand and then making it into a reality, launching it was the best feeling and it let me know anything is possible you when you put your mind to it.

// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?

More productions, mixes and events soon hopefully! It’s been such a crazy past year for everyone. The slower pace of life has made me more appreciative of the simple things. I see Stööki growing from strength to strength, we have a lot in the pipeline and longterm plans to develop the educational side of the brand focusing on teaching people and helping communities through our skills and experiences.

// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?

Pharrell Williams, I’m a big fan of his creativity across the music and fashion realms.

// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?

My Grandad inspired me from a young age through the life that he lived and his experiences. He motivated me to want to travel and taught me the importance of family values.

// WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER?

I hope my career can inspire people to follow their passions and that you can make it being self made. Also that there’s power in combining different art forms, collaborating and that you can do anything you put your mind to.

// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?

Do you! Find your purpose, your passion for whatever it is you love to do is all the fuel you need. It’s a marathon not a sprint, even if you take small steps each day always keep it moving. Be as openminded as possible and approach things as a beginner even if you’re not, you can always learn from other people. Surround yourself with people who want the best for you. Believe in yourself, don’t give up, you got this!

// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?

Attending the Black Lives Matter movement marches last year was the catalyst for us to start the Stööki ‘Enough is Enough’ fundraiser. The initiative combines jewellery, t-shirts made in collaboration with Last Night In Paris and jewellery-making workshops. The money raised is donated to charitable organisations and enables workshops that help to facilitate young people who have an interest in learning new skills.

I’m excited to release the new Stööki Legacy collection, run our jewellery making workshops again, and our ‘Self-Made’ Spotlight Series that features other creatives who are doing bits with their craft. Big up the team Nadia Abbas and Maya Mihoc and all of the talented artists and creatives we work with. Head to our site to find out more – www.stooki.co.uk

// ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?

I just released the second instalment in my Focus Mix series which features some of my favourite tracks of 2021 so far. I really enjoyed putting it together as I haven’t been able to play out in a while and wanted to spread some good vibes during the lockdown – listen here.

I’m also honoured to have been asked to kick-off the BLUP50 Curates series by compiling a playlist on Spotify hope everyone enjoys it 🙂 Skrrt skrrt!

FOLLOW DJ LUKEY

@dj_lukey | @stooki

Our latest BLUP50 member is the fashion and lifestyle photographer Annie Reid. Having only gone freelance in November 2020, she’s built up an incredible body of work thus far.

// YOUR WORD FOR 2021

MANIFEST

// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK/TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?

Amazing photos will always stop me from scrolling.

// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE

I went freelance as a photographer in November 2020, I was doing a lot of tests during lockdown, since restrictions have been lifted it’s been non stop! Working with various brands and musicians, I’m very grateful and proud of the work that I have done in the short amount of time I have been freelance.

//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?

It’s either a full shoot day which will usually be from 8-6 and then I’ll get home and crash. Or wake up, edit, edit edit, eat, emails, invoices, edit, eat, edit, sleep.

// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?

Usually I sit down and watch a good programme, go for a drink or dinner with mates or sometimes I’ll use the gym as a time to switch off.

// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

I recently shot Maya Jama’s new mask collection which was really fun, a huge production which is always quite exciting. The dream is to do some editorials, covers and get in with some high end, luxury brands.

// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?

I see success, I really do believe that photography is my path and what I am meant to be doing. I really would like to do more editorial work, I’d also like to live abroad for a while, maybe see what LA has to offer.

// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?

This question is difficult because I think it’s constantly changing for me to be honest. I would love to do a cover with iD magazine, I’d also like to get involved more in the music industry, Jorja Smith is someone I’d love to work with. As for brands I think Louis Vuitton or Gucci would be mega as their productions are always so huge.

// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?

I’m constantly finding new inspiration and photographers that I fall in love with. One of my biggest inspirations is Mario Testino, if I’m ever having a creative block I always turn to Mario for help.

‘Her work will go down in history!’

// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?

Go for it!! Make the leap and believe in yourself, I really do think that anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?

To work hard, be successful but also live my best life

// ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?

I love Studio Blup x

FOLLOW ANNIE

@annie_reid | @areidesign

London-based artist and designer, Helen’s artisanship has garnered international acclaim and it is her ability to tell stories through her designs that sets her work apart. Each pair of sneakers she makes is unique, weaving together the memories of the components that make it, allowing the owner to own something inherently personal and one-of-a-kind.

She is widely considered a pioneer of the hacked and deconstructed aesthetic within the sneaker industry, and in the vanguard of the sustainable footwear movement.

Through her practice, Helen challenges us to rethink the meaning of consumption and the way we interact with the products we own.

// YOUR WORD FOR 2021

Confidence.

// WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN ONLINE/INSTAGRAM /TIKTOK / TWITTER THAT HAS STOPPED YOU SCROLLING?

@ConceptKicks they are always posting really interesting sneakers. The other day I saw the ACNE patchwork boots that stopped me from scrolling for a hot second.

// GIVE US A WHISTLE STOP TOUR OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE

I graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2016 with an MA in Footwear Design. Straight after I worked at adidas for the Women’s Originals team for a year,  I worked on loads of amazing projects, including the Sambarose. Next I worked in the Alexander Wang team for a little bit. That was really exciting.

After I left there I started doing consultancy, I consulted for Yeezy for a year across Calabasas and the UK.

I then started my own brand and also started doing a little bit more consultancy for brands, such as BYREDO – helping them make their byproduct sneaker and The Salvagers working on their manifesto sneaker.

I then moved on to more of my own projects. I started working on collaborations with brands. I collaborated on a piece for Takashi Murakami for Complex Con, Sneakers for Breakfast, which was an incredible experience.

Next was the Timberland Construct 10061 project. After which I started getting some amazing collaborations with Melissa, with Adidas, with Reebok and that has taken me to where I am now.

I am currently focusing on my made-to-order service, where I create made-to-order sneakers for individual clients. Customers can order directly through our website and we create  bespoke sneakers that are the only ones to ever exist in the world. We have two silhouettes LEGACY and VOYAGE where the sneakers can be made from their own personal sneakers or from our stock of recycled components.

I would say that is the whistle stop tour to date.

//WHAT DOES 24 HOURS IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?

It varies every day, really, depending on what I’m doing, but on a typical day, I would get up, have my breakfast, have my coffee and then cycle to the studio. I cycle through Victoria Park to the studio, which is absolutely lovely. When I get here, I usually put on a playlist or the radio, to try and get into the groove a little bit.

Next I’ll check my emails. If my team is in, we will discuss what we’re doing for the day, what needs to be done, where the priorities are. Some days are a lot of admin and, you know, sorting out your business.

Other days are really creative. I try to have as many creative days as possible where I can really work on getting my hands dirty, working on a tactile product, tactile creation, and really push the needle forwards with what I’m doing within the brand.

At the end of the day I cycle back home, chill and sometimes try to forget about the day. Otherwise if there’s something to do, you’ll find me at a gig. I love going to gigs. I love going to see what’s happening in the grunge music scene of London, going to small venues and dive bars, which I’ve definitely missed during the pandemic. It’s nice to get back into that. And if I’m not doing that or seeing friends, I’m probably watching the real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

// WHAT DO YOU DO TO SWITCH OFF OR CHILL?

Watch the real Housewives of Beverly Hills! I do actually love to watch reality TV and trash TV. I think for me, it does really help me switch off and go into a different life.

I also like to go for a walk, a cycle, do yoga, see friends and go to gigs. I think for me, going to gigs just releases a lot of energy and a lot of angst, which is sometimes what you need.

// WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR BEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

Oh, God I’ve had so many! I would say recently, we just did our first ever debut presentation at London Fashion Week 2021.

It was the first time we were on schedule and we created an amazing debut show. We showed our new made-to-order collection. We had the amazing LÅPSLEY performing and also doing a DJ set. We had an incredible poet called Phoebe Wagner, who we commissioned specifically for the show, performing her poetry which was really incredible.

We had an amazing immersive projection from Alistair Redding which was a beautiful experience. We had beers from Toast Ale, which is a fantastic sustainable beer company based in London. So it was just a totally immersive experience and showcased what the HELEN KIRKUM brand is all about, what our world consists of.

// WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?

Lots of shoes. I think the future is really about continuing to change the perception of newness within the industry to keep pushing boundaries on what’s acceptable within recycled and upcycled products, to keep creating artistic pieces and keep putting my vision into the world.

// IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ONE CREATIVE/BRAND WHO WOULD IT BE?

I feel really lucky to have collaborated with loads of incredible companies. I think I would love to work with someone like Vivienne Westwood to create a kind of world saving sneaker. I think that would be one to tick off the bucket list for sure.

// WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?

I have loads of different inspirations. I think for me it always comes back to family. I think primarily of my Nana, who taught me to knit and crochet. She was always inspiring me to be creative. And I think that her encouragement was, and still is, a massive inspiration to me. The same goes for the rest of  my family, my mum and dad, they’re always inspiring me and encouraging me to go for it. So yeah, got to say family.

// YOUR FAVOURITE SONG OF 2021 SO FAR?

I would have to say ‘Keep Swimming’ by my partner’s band called Lyena. It completely epitomises where we’ve been in the last 18 months, how we felt and how we’ve kept going.

// WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY ABOUT YOU AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER?

She did good in the world.

// WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO NEW CREATIVES?

I would say my biggest advice goes back to my Nana Iris. She always used to say to me, ‘You can only do what you think is right at the time.’ That has helped me navigate through my career.

I think so often we think about what we do, the opportunities we have and we worry about what we could have done, what we should have done. If you make every decision thinking at this time, this is the right decision for me, then it helps you to not regret anything. So you can only do what you think is right at the time.

More practical advice. I would say don’t leave your portfolio at any brands, be enthusiastic and be nice to people. Being enthusiastic about other people’s work, being kind and a good person gets you very far in this industry. And it also helps you to live a more joyous life.

// WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU IN YOUR WORLD RIGHT NOW?

The planet is important to me. Everything that I do is driven by this idea to spread awareness about the state of post-consumer waste and what we can do about it.

I will keep driving that forward. So that’s definitely something that’s very important to me. Another thing that’s super important to me is to spread creativity and the joy of creative practice, especially within the UK. Creative subjects get a really hard time and I love to teach and educate students about the joy and the importance of creativity.

Those are my two most important social and political issues.

Also see the HELEN KIRKUM & REEBOK COLLAB with 20 handmade pairs on Zig.

FOLLOW HELEN

@helenkirkumstudio | www.helenkirkum.com