Brujas (skate crew)

Brujas (founded 2014) are a feminist skate collective and streetwear brand based in the Bronx, New York.

Brujas
Formation2014
HeadquartersThe Bronx, New York City, United States
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
Yes, subscription-based
Official language
English
Websitebrujas.nyc

History

The Brujas name (English: witches) is derived and inspired by a 1986 video called Skate Witches.[1][2][3] Brujas was founded by Arianna Gil, Sheyla Grullon, and other skaters in 2014 to host safe meeting places for female skaters of color.[4][5][6] Since its inception, the Brujas collective participates in community organizing and political activism with an interest in challenging oppressive traditions.[7] Brujas hosts community events, making space for marginalized individuals and communities to skateboard.[8] As a women-run brand, the Brujas collective advocates for women and people of color, partially informed by their own experiences as women in skateboarding.[9]

In regards to the name Brujas, Gil explained: "We are intersectional feminists who are interested in spirituality and the tradition of brujería (witchcraft) in our culture. So there was more going on than just that little YouTube video."[1] In 2016 Brujas created Brujas x 1971, a limited edition streetwear line that was funded through Kickstarter.[10] The 1971 in the name refers to Attica prisoner uprising, of 1971. The line raised money for prisoner rights. "We see 1971 as a combination of both the political DIY cultures that we were radicalized in the Lower East Side, anarchist organizing where people sell T-shirts and throw parties to get their friends out of prison, and the really brash street and skate wear aesthetics that have been developing for ages," said Izzy Nastasia a Bruja member.[11][12]

In 2016 the New Museum in New York hosted Scamming the Patriarchy: A Youth Summit that included Brujas as one of the organizers. About their work, Sara O'Keeffe, assistant curator of the New Museum mentioned, "Brujas is a critical voice among an emerging generation of artists, writers and activists who are propelling conversations about politics and forging spaces for empowerment."[11]

In 2017, Brujas presented a pop-up classroom to present their streetwear line as part of New York Fashion Week.[13] The grass-roots presentation received critical acclaim.[13] In 2018, BRUJAS presented an exhibition titled "Training Facility" at Performance Space New York where they turned the art venue into a skatepark.[14] Brujas organizes inclusive parties, including Anti-Prom and SUCIA.[15] In 2019, Brujas hosted the fourth Anti-Prom party in celebration of Pride.[16]

References
  1. Garcia, Patricia (2016-07-01). "Meet Brujas: The Feminist Skate Crew From the Bronx We've All Been Waiting For". Vogue. Archived from the original on 2017-02-10. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  2. Maguire, Talia (2016-09-16). "Brujas From The Block". Maggie Semple. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  3. Ramirez, Juan Diego (2016-11-01). "The Bronx-Based BRUJAS Feminist Skate Collective Heads Out West". Latino Rebels. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  4. Weiss, Alexandra (2018-01-13). "Meet Brujas, The All-Femme Skateboard Crew And Freeform Feminist Project". Oyster Magazine. Archived from the original on 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  5. "The Best Don't Get Caught: The Case of Supreme". www.culturedmag.com. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  6. Crase, Jason (22 May 2017). "Rise of Feminist Witches Disrupts New York City Patriarchy". Archived from the original on 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  7. Remnick, Noah (2016-07-29). "Sisterhood of the Skateboard". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  8. Dazed (2015-11-27). "Meet the 'skate witches' fighting NYC's gentrification". Dazed. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  9. Thomas, Amara. "Make Skating Radical Again". The FADER. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  10. Petrarca, Emilia. "These Witchy Punks Are Behind a New Virgil Abloh-Approved Street Wear Label". W Magazine. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  11. Hine, Samuel (2016-11-17). "Meet Brujas, the Bronx Skate Crew Making Streetwear for Post-Election America". GQ. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  12. Haines, Ashley. "The Brujas Skate Crew Is Radicalizing More Than Just Skateboarding". HYPEBAE. Archived from the original on 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  13. "This Radical Skate Crew Put on NYFW's Best Grassroots Presentation". GQ. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  14. Hill, Eli (2018-06-12). "Why This Feminist Collective Turned an Art Space into a Skate Park". Artsy. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  15. "NY Skate Crew Brujas Is Smashing the Patriarchy on the West Coast for 2-Week Tour". Remezcla. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  16. "BRUJAS' Anti-Prom party kicks off Pride". The Face. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
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