Skateboarding in Italy: history, culture, and urban lifestyle

Welcome to the inclusive, rebellious, and creative world of skateboarding in Italy. To fully tell this scene, both sporting and cultural at the same time, Lele Lutteri interviewed dozens of key figures in the Italian skate scene, creating the book Nessuna Regola – 40 years of skateboarding in Italy.

The book and the author

Nessuna Regola is available in bookstores from November 17, 2023, published by Edizioni Agenzia Alcatraz, series Fair Play (4). The volume has 256 pages and is sold for 19 euros.
Discover the book here

Lele Lutteri, born in Milan in 1974, is a key figure in the Italian streetwear and skateboard scene. In 1999 he founded Kokusbaum, his first clothing brand, and from 2005 to 2010 he collaborated with the brand Bastard, handling design and graphics. In the following years, he worked with various streetwear brands, creating graphics for clothing, skateboards, album covers, and illustrations. Famous for painting on broken boards, often with skull motifs, Lele combines art, fashion, and skate in every project.

The beginnings: the '70s and the spark of skate

It all began in the 1970s thanks to a RAI broadcast segment Odeon – Everything That Makes Show. Curiosity was high, and some rollerboards imported from the USA sparked the interest of the first enthusiasts. Giorgio Contati from Genoa and Francesco Albertini “Jekill” from Rome, true pioneers, recall the spark that started Italian skateboarding.

The '80s and '90s: widespread skateboarding and DIY cultures

In the 1980s it became easier to buy a skateboard, while in the 1990s the first self-built ramps appeared, thanks to the punk attitude and the DIY (Do It Yourself) movement of social centers. The phenomenon grew rapidly: competitions, crews, magazines, and dedicated shops sprang up throughout Northern Italy. Skateboarding became not only a sport but a true 360-degree urban lifestyle, with photography, videos, music, graphics, and dedicated brands.

Consolidation: late '90s and early 2000s

At the end of the 1990s, the skate world in Italy structured itself: equipped skateparks, specialized shops, and new professionals linked to the skatewear brand and dedicated events. The square in front of Milan Central Station became one of the most frequented spots for training, as recalled by Luca Basilico, now president of the International Federation (Skateboarding Director at World Skate).

Often considered rebellious and nonconformist, skateboarding has always maintained a cohesive and libertarian character. In the early 2000s, the first all-female crews were born, while in 2021 skateboarding officially entered the Olympics, with the establishment of schools, instructors, and recognized federations.

Skateboarding today: passion and inclusivity

Whether on the streets, in equipped skateparks or in historic squares, girls and boys from six to sixty years old continue to ride their boards with pride. Skateboarding in Italy is not just about performing perfect tricks: it is trying, falling, and getting back up, a metaphor for life itself.

FAQ on Skateboarding in Italy

1. Who is Lele Lutteri?
Lele Lutteri is the author of Nessuna Regola – 40 anni di skateboard in Italia, a streetwear designer and artist known for graphics on skateboards.

2. When did skateboarding start in Italy?
Skateboarding arrived in the ’70s, initially thanks to boards imported from the USA and dedicated TV programs.

3. What are the historic spots of Italian skateboarding?
Squares like the one in front of Milan Central Station and the first skateparks in the ’90s became landmarks.

4. Is skateboarding a male-only sport?
No, since the 2000s exclusively female crews have emerged. Today skateboarding is a unisex and inclusive sport.

Why read Nessuna Regola and discover Italian skateboarding

• Unique insight: it tells 40 years of history, culture, and urban lifestyle.

• Expert author: Lele Lutteri brings direct experience, art, and design to the narrative.

• Community and lifestyle: the book explores crews, skateparks, events, and fashion related to skateboarding.

Skateboarding in Italy is not just a trick, but a lifestyle, made of creativity, energy, and freedom.

Discover the book Nessuna Regola here

To learn more about Lele Lutteri and his works, visit the official website: www.lelelutteri.com and follow him on Instagram: @lelelutteri for updates, news, and exclusive content from the skate world.

Discover all the skateboards from our collection here:
👉 https://ghettoblasterwear.com/
👉 https://ghettoblasterwear.com/collections/featured