We met Denny during a gloomy October week in Berlin in hopes of getting a couple of photos for the issue, while the weather was still fair enough, but skating was off to a rough start. A couple events that needed to be attended for networking purposes quickly resulted in hangovers that kept the legs from moving. A couple work meetings dragged on, pushing the dedicated skate time closer to the early autumn sunset. With every passing day it became more certain that we wouldn’t be shooting an entire interview in these couple days. There was one special mission on the table though, an NBD at Kulturforum double set to finish off Denny’s part. Hopes were high, but skateboarding owes you nothing and certainly not an easy make when you most need it. Admittedly defeated about the lack of skate photos, we left Berlin again. Somehow this week is a pretty accurate representation of life and its ways. More responsibilities are creeping in once you reach a certain age, the reality of not being able to skate forever (professionally, at least) manifests itself and brings along some new real life challenges, and in Denny’s case, a lot of opportunity as well.
I’ve mostly been working on some fashion stuff lately. Got scouted back in 2021, did some modeling, and got introduced to the fashion world. I guess it’s really common at this point that skaters get picked up by the industry and work their way around. I would say like 50%, or maybe more like 30% of my time are going into modeling work nowadays. Working with agencies, traveling, going to fashion weeks, shooting. I don’t know, it’s redefining my life, my passion and my expression in terms of fashion and stuff. It’s a good learning. It’s funny because you get portrayed in a different way, like drinking coffee in a €7,000 coat.
I think it was 2021 and it was post-COVID depression. I think all skaters were getting used to not traveling. It was the first trip after COVID to Barcelona, I was just spending time there during March and April because the weather in Berlin was shit and I just wanted to go skate. I was definitely in a phase where I had to figure out something new for myself in terms of work. Then I got a call from a Parisian agent who found my profile on Instagram. He asked me if we can have a call and if we can work together. He signed me as my mother-agent. Since then, he placed me into this world and made sure I got gigs, built my profile, and got to see the right photographers and go to some fashion weeks and stuff. We’ve been in a very tight relationship. He also forwarded me to other agencies to work around the world. That was the beginning, 2021. Definitely took some time to get used to it, but it was exactly what I needed at that time, something refreshing, because I had done multiple shoots for several brands before, but never in a high fashion aspect, more in streetwear and stuff. I was used to it, but this was something new.
Did you get any pushback from the skate industry? I guess by 2021 people were quite used to it, but I feel like for a while, whenever a skater would do something in fashion people were a bit hesitant.
I know what you’re saying. There was definitely some pushback from the community in the beginning when I started posting first photos and stuff. My first work, people reacted a little offensive. I think some were just a little confused about the fact that I did something else, and they were not so respectful with it. I would say you can call it bullying, but since I feel like I’ve proven my shit in terms of skateboarding, I was like, “Whatever”. So it wasn’t really hurting me too much. I was always way too busy anyways to think about it too hard. I was just skating the whole time in between. So it was not like I left skateboarding behind for my new work. It was more like an add-on to my skate stuff. In the end, I was mainly busy finishing video parts because that was the main focus, still. But it was hard. Definitely interesting how people reacted, but it’s a good learning. I feel like over the years, people got more used to it and the feedback felt a little nicer because I think people started understanding it’s actually not just a one-time thing for me. It became more professional and more serious. I think there is more respect these days.
I’m actually so happy that it happened the way it happened because otherwise I’d be, I don’t know, working at a bar. And this way I can still be a freelancer and work on different projects. It’s quite refreshing, but it also takes a lot of responsibility. I mean, every freelancer knows it’s just a fucking everyday grind, but I wouldn’t trade it. That’s for sure.
Fashion parties can be wild, can also be not so wild, they can be loud with shitty music. It’s a fun environment sometimes, because I’ve always been very interested in getting out of my bubble and just being extroverted, finding new places, seeing new people. Sometimes it’s a good moment to just get inspired. I’m enjoying it every now and then, I must say. We’ve just been to one last week, it was Prada, I would give it like a 5 stars out of 10. There are definitely better parties though, especially in Berlin.
Yeah. I mean, almost every skateboarder nowadays is a fashion skater. Well, not every skateboarder, that’s not true at all. But I feel like a good amount of skaters are very focused on what they wear and what they express and what brands they want to be associated with. So meeting Lucas and [Dor] Abu and those dudes, it’s actually super fun. You would guess they are super into fashion, but whenever we meet up it’s purely just skateboarding. Obviously, we talk about our work, but we are more like, “Okay, let’s go skate.” Lucas, for example, I’ve been to New York with him, and he was so hungry for clips and so relentless, just getting clips. Next spot, next spot. I was really stoked to see how much energy he has and how much he can get done on a skateboard in a day or in a week. I think this is the important thing. I would rather surround myself with someone like Lucas who wants to go out and skate instead of just talking about the next fashion gig.
I think there are just so many similarities in terms of the fashion work and the skateboarding work, if we can call it work. This is actually the fun part about working in fashion, being in front of the camera to act or pose aesthetically pleasing or just fun or whatever, trying not to make any weird-ass-looking poses. That also is actually what skateboarding is: Finding aesthetically good-looking spots or backgrounds and shooting a good photo. Something that looks visually pleasing. That’s how I see it. There is the parallel or the mindset that is very similar in terms of creating visuals. I would say the fashion industry is definitely faster. It’s way faster than the skateboard industry, where you take your time, like a year or two sometimes to finish a part and certain parts are so good that they will be relevant for years. No one can take that from you. I think in fashion, it’s really quick in terms of your environment, the people you work with, because oftentimes you meet a photographer for a day or two, and sometimes you will never really see them again. From my perspective, you really have to keep going. I think there are just different ways of being a model. You can do e-commerce, which means you shoot some stuff every week, but I wouldn’t consider myself a classic model that does stuff every week. It’s more like, whenever there’s a fitting brand or campaign or a project, then I’m after it. Overall it’s not as personal. I feel like in skateboarding, I always had more personal relationships with people, more long term. But I’m trying to create the same environment for myself in this fashion aspect. Make things long term. It’s a mission and it’s very up and down, that’s for sure. There’s times where I’m not doing shit for a month or two or three. Then I feel like skateboarding is my perfect harbour to go back to my roots and feel more attached and feel more relevant or have more purpose in my work. I feel super lucky with skateboarding because if I was just doing modelling, I think it’s – I don’t want to say traumatizing – but it can be very tough on your performance and daily life and ego.
I think walking a runway is very similar to skating a contest in the way of going out there and just doing your thing, perform and black out, and just go for your next step or for your next trick. Obviously, getting a perfect skateboard run requires way more skill and handling pressure and strength, but in terms of the lights and people around you watching, it’s super similar in that act.
You start as a rookie and then you get into this bubble and you start defining yourself through fashion. Whatever looks good in a mirror that might look even better on a skateboard later. It’s very much about combining two worlds. But yeah, obviously, when I’m skating, I’m using my comfort clothes that are maybe a little more baggy, roomy, just comfortable. Black shoes work best for me as well. I think when I’m skating, I look a little different, mostly, than when I’m dressed for other occasions. And you get to the point where you just want to get rid of all the clothing that just doesn’t work. When you’re wearing the wrong pants, skating, you’re like, “Okay, these have to be sorted out. They just don’t work.” Another good thing is to live in this fashion bubble and have many friends creating clothing. I think it’s fair to say that small brands like Slinky from Steffen Grap and Wulle [?] have been really fun. It’s just what I like to wear lately. It is a good feeling to support my homie, wearing something that he has made, which also fits me really well. I feel like it’s way more fun than going out shopping somewhere, even though I like to shop, but it’s a different kind of value.
There were days and moments where I was actually taking care of myself a little more in terms of skating. You think twice if you’re going to jump down a fucking fence and get hurt, when there’s a job coming up. When there’s a job happening in the month, I’m definitely saving myself a little and just skate ledges instead of big impact stuff. So yeah, there is a consideration, but I wanted to go a little low impact anyways. I think jumping down 10 plus stairs nowadays is just... I love it sometimes, but it’s like some days it’s just too much. I prefer an aesthetic, good-looking spot.
I think I had my golden days with skateboarding. Not in terms of skating itself or the community or staying hungry and filming and stuff. More in terms of touring 60% of the year, going around the globe for skateboarding, getting invited for SLS in Munich and “Slides and Grinds” in Brazil and going on a three week Nike trip to California. All this stuff definitely got to be way less. The pace has gone down. With that comes also this financial thing, right? I mean, as everyone knows, the industry is a little hectic at the moment. I feel just blessed to not be working at the bar or in a hospital or just be hustling. I feel super privileged doing something that I love still. I stay active because I have to do something physical. I just got a job recently as a national coach for Germany, which is part-time, and it requires more office work and organisation and federation work and also working in a team. That’s the new add-on I got, but usually I’m a very physical worker, let’s say. Actually I probably wouldn’t mind working in a bar.
I was asked in April of 2025 to replace my former coach, Lea Scheirer, because she got pregnant. I was already close to the structures of the federation, and I’ve been going to all these contests in the past for the Olympic qualification. I know what it means to take care of the team. I feel like it is a good moment to do something new, do something that is a little bit out of my comfort zone and also gives me a chance to grow as a person. If skateboarding gives you the offer or the chance to do something else, I think that’s very rare. I said I would do it for sure because I’m going to those contests anyways. I have a double role now, because I’m skating the contest, but then I’m also taking care of the team. It’s more like team managing and it’s making sure all the skaters are good in terms of treatments, physical therapy, injuries, travel, just checking in on everyone and seeing if they are good. It feels good to give something back after fucking 25 years of skating for myself, basically.
"It feels good to give something back after 25 years of skating for myself."
It’s a never-ending story, to be with the kids and the impact and influence you have on them, because obviously there are kids in their mid 20s and they’re quite developed in terms of their skills and experience, but working with 15, 16, 17 year old kids, it’s a mission. You find yourself being more of a social worker in a way, where you try to trigger something in them to go to the next step and learn something on the skateboard, but also use their time effectively off the skateboard. My idea is to just send out some impulses and offer whatever is possible in our environment and through the federation to let them grow. And also personally be a good role model. I try to teach them to get a vision for their own skateboarding because you have to express yourself somehow. It comes with so many layers, but it’s been super cool and a good experience so far. I’m just looking forward to traveling for the next few months. We are going to Japan for a contest. We’re doing a couple of training trips with a smaller team. I just hope these kids have the time of their life and have something they can be proud of.
Well, in terms of my own skating, I’m still hungry and try to be as productive as possible. Usually, it works out good. Yesterday, we’ve been filming, trying to get my last trick for my next part. I hope by the time this is released, the part will be out or at least finished. It’s been some good months and years of filming. I think it’s been one and a half years now filming for it. I feel like this year it has to be done, I don’t want to take this into the next year. It’s definitely a mission, and the mission is not always the funnest thing. I was already thinking, I just might get something more simple as an ender. Maybe it doesn’t even have to be the craziest ender anymore. I’m just trying to redefine my point of view. In the past, you always had to find the biggest 13 stair or some epic spot where you could set your mark. I feel like a part of me says just take it easy and see how it comes. But then there’s a part of me that says, “No, this piece has to be proper!” Which means I wouldn’t like to put out a part if there’s not a good ending. A good ending is important.
It’s not going to be a NikeSB or Flip part, that’s for sure. It’s kind of a free project and it’s mainly Julian [Lopez] who filmed and then a couple of other filmers who had some stuff. I will have to talk to Foley, he doesn’t even know yet, but I’m betting on a Civilist part. Let’s see.
It was a long standing relationship I had with Skate Deluxe, maybe almost ten years. It was a great time. We had a good run doing trips and just the team itself was super dope with Willow in the beginning and Danny Sommerfeld and a couple of others. Definitely some memories that won’t be forgotten. But at one point, also around the time, 2020, right before COVID and this whole industry drama, I decided to split off because ten years is a good benchmark, and sometimes there’s time for a change. I ended up coming to Civilist, and it felt like coming home to somewhere I’ve belonged for a long time. I don’t know how many times I was asked by the boys to skate for them, so we had a good handshake situation, like, okay, finally it’s happening. Still, getting the same jokes and getting my ego roasted every time I go into the shop, it’s tough. Skating for Civilist is not an easy one. It’s just what you have to go through, jokes for days. You get roasted and you get burned.
My relationship to it is painful. It’s a lot of hate because it’s a painful little piece of Berlin that has been taking so many hours from me. In my eyes it’s a gigantic doubleset, which is just hard to skate every time. Yesterday Eric [?] was saying, “Oh, yeah, it was so easy to jump back in days being 18.” I was like, “What? Really? I’ve never felt it’s an easy one to skate.” I always feel a little intimidated. I’m actually often thinking of stuff that hasn’t been done yet. Someone has to show up and do something that hasn’t been done. This is where my mind is at the double set, thinking about, what else can I do? I think I have five tricks under my belt, but maybe I want to do one or two more, depending on how life is going to feel. I was denied yesterday, but in general, it’s just a good spot to be at, and it brings back so much skateboard history to me and has shaped my whole type of skating. I mean, my very first days being a teenager, visiting Berlin and finding this spot was just a very eye opening moment. I like to always go and look back and see it as a little back to the roots situation. It’s humbled me, especially yesterday. It was humbling me big time. Body and ankles, everything hurts.
"As good as it looks and as good as it feels for the moment, skateboarding careers can be over in one second."
Yes and no. I mean, skating in Berlin can be played out, but then on the other hand, there’s still so much stuff to discover. The city keeps building new spaces and office buildings. I feel like there are new spots popping up all the time. I feel like it’s more mentally hard, it’s hard to keep yourself in shape and motivated to get out there, meet up with the crew, to get stuff done. I feel like on a skate vacation, that’s what I call it now, it’s just way easier to get in a mood because obviously there aren’t so many things, like my daily life distracting me from getting clips. When I’m on a trip, this is all I do, right? Skate and be focused. Being at home is a little hectic. I also feel like just getting that mindset back because it’s just mentally, it’s so played out here. But then I guess that’s the challenge. Make it shine. Look how it shines. Beautiful Berlin in October. [Points at the rain through the window.]
We’ve been in a long-time relationship. I was contracted with Nike for many years. And as soon as COVID hit, a lot of us got the boot. I think it was just some restructuring of the company or whatever they called it. NikeSB was a good push and security in terms of forming my career. Many trips, great support, many opportunities, and just a very professional atmosphere. This professionalism hadn’t been happening for me in skateboarding before Nike stepped in. But whenever 2020 hit and COVID happened, I wasn’t lucky enough to continue the relationship. We are on good terms. But it was a good reminder. As good as it looks and as good as it feels for the moment, skateboarding careers can be over in one second. I was unlucky enough to have my contract expire right when COVID happened. So let’s say if I would have signed maybe right before COVID, maybe things would have been different. I think some of us were just on the edge. It’s been a reality check. I was happy I had some savings and I could figure out something new for myself with the fashion jobs. So in the end, all good. But it’s not that easy sometimes. I chose to keep skating Nike’s regardless, because the closet was still stacked and I’m super used to it. The shoes are good and they have to be shredded. And thanks to the team management for hooking it up still. But let’s see what the future is going to look like. I mean, it’s always exciting. You never know.
