PowellPeralta

Powell Peralta is a historic American skateboarding company known for its high-quality decks, distinctive artwork, and influential role in the sport’s rise during the 1980s. Founded in 1978 by George Powell, a skateboard manufacturer, and Stacy Peralta, a former professional skater and filmmaker, the company became a leading force in the sport's popularization and culture.

A key aspect of Powell Peralta’s identity was its collaboration with artist Vernon Courtlandt Johnson, who created many of the brand’s iconic graphics. One of the most famous images associated with the company is the Ripper deck, a graphic that became a defining symbol of Powell Peralta’s aesthetic and helped establish the era’s visual vocabulary in skateboarding.

Powell Peralta also fielded one of the most influential teams in skate history, the Bones Brigade. Active in the early to mid-1980s, members included notable skaters such as Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, Mike McGill, and Rodney Mullen. The Brigade released a series of groundbreaking videos, including The Bones Brigade Video Show (1984) and The Search for Animal Chin (1987), which helped shape skateboarding video culture and inspired countless riders.

Throughout the late 1980s and beyond, the company faced market fluctuations common to the industry, but its legacy persisted through renewed interest in classic decks and archival graphics. In the 2000s and 2010s, Powell Peralta reissued historic designs and expanded into apparel and accessories while continuing to produce new skateboarding products.

Powell Peralta’s influence endures in skateboarding’s art, design, and team culture. The brand remains associated with iconic graphics, the Bones Brigade’s legacy, and the ongoing appeal of vintage Powell Peralta decks among collectors and riders.