Text and Illustration - Dom Read   Photography - Flora Platt

​DREADFASHIONDEADFASHION - DREAMS COME TRUE!
Anyone who knows the Dread Decks studios well will know know the fire exist, which doubles as a smoking area. This spot is a little bit of a haven for our feathered friends. The enclosed area with a mesh ceiling is the perfect nesting ground for persistent pigeons seeking to hide from their predators. They build their homes safe in the knowledge that the gaps in the fences are too small for ferocious foxes, bigger birds or fearsome fiends.    

So anyway, we had grown accustomed to our pigeon neighbours. We watched as they made their nests and laid their eggs. We watched as they grew and flew and came back year on year.
​What we didn't realise was that they were watching us too...

That was all until, one fateful day, when there was a tap, tap, tapping at our studio door. Who could that be we wondered. The last thing we expected was our feathered friends looking to make an appointment. They laughed and leered as we looked into their eyes. It took us aback, it was like some nightmare, that we never new we feared. 

"Two tailored suits they cheered!!!" 

To our surprise they were more than polite, they were a delight. It was more than pleasant to meet them, they were most interested in where our ideas stem. They had a lot of opinions and a lot to say! They pulled up chairs amidst our stares. They offered their insights on our current plights.

"The world it's in a terrible state and you mate, you've put too much on you plate. These tasks you undertake, oh for heavens sake! So filled fears, it is no wonder you drown yourself in beers. Dry those tears, talk to your peers and get some help my dears."  

Freshly adorned our new friends gently warned "We will leave you with this and then we must go! Us Pigeons stick together you know... Take a trick from our book and know where to look. And most of all remember the sweetest of fruit is that which is tasted and when there is a pigeon involved THERE IS NOT A SINGLE SCRAP WASTED!!!"

And with that they picked up their last chips, they shook their hips, gathered their things, spread their wings, and took off into the set sun... Ever since we have wondered whether we will ever see them again as it seems this story has only just begun.  

Text and Imagery - Dom Read

So strange times are a foot and it seems like the world has gone a little bit mad!! It is frustrating for us as a brand as we finally felt like we were getting somewhere and now we feel a little lost. But more importantly and even more gravely it is devastating that something like this can happen and is happening and we as a World seem so ill equipped to handle the situation.

Not to worry and no bother, things will get better. It is just the dealing with the time in between that is the difficult part. There are things you cannot plan for; natural disasters, pandemics and panic. What you can do though is try and make the best of a shitty situation!

The Corona Virus has shaken society and left us all wondering how things are going to unfold in the coming months. As it spread across the world it was easy to be brash and arrogant.

"Ohhh that isn't going to effect us..."

A mere few weeks later and Britain along with many other countries world wide are in lockdown. To make matters worse there are no sure estimations of when things are going to return to normality! The whole situation throws a lot of things into question - the way in which we interact with one another, the lifespan of businesses, the leadership of governments and the division of resources across society to name but a few.

When we come out the other side which we most definitely will, there needs to be changes to the institutions that make our choices.
We don't have the answers but we know that more intelligent people out there that definitely do!

Despite all of the doom and gloom we feel there are many silver linings to these dark, dark clouds:

Firstly no matter how underfunded and understaffed they are THANK FUCK FOR THE NHS AND EVERYTHING THEY DO! The women and men on the front lines, day in day out, helping us and guiding us through. These incredible people wade through the piss and shit to try and keep us healthy. They are the real heroes and leaders and we are immensely lucky to have them!!!

There has been a monumentally positive response from communities banding together for the greater good! We have seen people offering help and support to the vulnerable like never before. There has also been a massive surge in the creative communities working in collaboration to try and ensure everyone keeps their head above water. It warms our hearts to see and we are sure that the community spirit is what will get us through!

And finally though lock down is drastic and shocking and could be devastating for businesses world wide it is also an opportunity. Being isolated to our homes gives us the chance to reflect and take a minute for ourselves that our otherwise normal, busy lives don't allow. It is a moment to breathe and evaluate what is important to us. We can reach out to that friend or family member we have fallen out of contact with. We can read, write, watch a series and relax. Or we can take it as a chance to grow and develop, plan that idea that you have been thinking about, learn to juggle, learn to sing, to draw, to dance or perhaps fall back in love with something you have neglected...

These dreadful times are what we make of it, together, alone, we will make it through.

As for Dread Decks...

The recent momentum that we have gathered will not be lost. Though our plans inevitably will have to change, develop and grow, for us it is business as usual. The goal hasn't changed. We will bring you care, support and an alternate opinion for you to consider.

In the coming weeks we have a veritable feast for your eye balls and ear holes!!

We have more photoshoots both old and new, blog posts, big ideas and even bigger dreams. There will be videos, recommendations, thoughts and ideas. New stock, new clothes and new approaches are all coming your way!!!

Your feedback is more than welcome and so important to us. If anyone has any ideas or projects that they want to run by us then of course fire away! Email them to d.read@dreaddecks.com

As always keep swimming and keep smiling but more than that, keep calm and carry on my friends.
And stay as safe as you can.
Thanks for reading.
Dom x