Skepta’s Fashion Brand ‘Mains’ Has Debuted Again With Success
Ask anyone about which sports clubs are the best places to meet a wealthy spouse, and you'll often hear the same responses: golf, horse racing, and most notably, tennis. For Skepta, tennis represents the epitome of luxury, reflected in the design of his clothing brand 'Mains' and its unique setting - a tennis court.
Contrary to common belief, 'Mains' isn't a newcomer on the fashion scene. Established in 2017, the brand recently underwent a transformation, leading to misconceptions about its novelty. Skepta, a self-made rapper renowned in the UK grime and rap genre, previously collaborated with brands like PUMA to expand his presence in tracksuits. Now, he has ventured into athleisure and outerwear, aiming to attract a new clientele. Skepta's creative pursuits are diverse, including original paintings that have fetched prices upwards of £80,000.
The Spring 2024 Ready-to-Wear collection consists of 42 distinct looks, showcasing collaborations with Timberland, Emmanuelle Khanh, Puma, and Beats by Dre. The collection prominently features the 'Mains' name and logo, with standout pieces like a cream and navy blue tracksuit that cleverly manipulates color to create a vest-like silhouette and a black and grey striped jumper with a vibrant red collar, adorned with the signature 'Mains' font.
The collection commenced with minimalist attire: transparent over-shirts and vests that seamlessly transitioned into raincoats and jumpers. It offered a glimpse of upscale overalls and denim jackets worn confidently by shirtless models before culminating in coats, biker jackets, and suit combinations.
This collection represents an opulent interpretation of streetwear and sports, merging two disparate fashion realms into a distinct London-coded aesthetic. The fashion world welcomed this revamp with open arms, with notable figures such as Naomi Campbell, JME, and Stormzy lending their support.
Mikey Pearce, the chief designer and one of the driving forces behind 'Mains,' drew inspiration from Skepta's current style preferences, infused with a touch of Miami's vibrant energy, where Skepta frequently works as a DJ. Despite his grime roots, Skepta acknowledges that he'll forever be seen as the "street guy," a facet he sought to weave into his collection. As he puts it, "No matter how refined I may feel, I walk into a room, and people still see me as 'the guy from the streets.' It's inescapable."
This revamp serves as a prime example of how grime music and the obsession with street style have deeply influenced fashion and culture, creating a retrospective sense of excitement. Skepta's stature in London's music scene positions this transformation as a clear indicator of his intent to enter the luxury fashion domain, a move that has already met with significant success. The scarcity of information about the brand's origins online provides Mikey Pearce and Skepta with a clean slate to consolidate their work and establish a precedent for the caliber of creations they're producing.
Over the past five years, the synergy between music and the fashion industry has grown significantly. Musicians now participate in runway collections, often using these platforms to promote their albums and clothing lines. Music has always played a vital role in storytelling, and when garments and collections become mediums for these stories, they offer a compelling blend of visual and narrative exploration.
The collection's grand finale featured Skepta walking the runway with his daughter, symbolizing their shared journey and the dedication that fueled the show's success. This marks the beginning of a promising chapter for Skepta and the 'Mains' brand. As Skepta emphatically stated, "Mains is here to stay," and we wholeheartedly agree.
Check out the brand here.