Belly Underground: For the Modern Skater
Dashawn Samuels designs clothes for the underdogs.
Belly Underground stickers by Trendy Naj
Streetwear and skatewear are made for those who break the rules, and Belly Underground doesn’t plan to follow them anytime soon. The lifestyle streetwear and skate, founded by New York City and New Jersey native Dashawn Samuels in 2019, wants skaters to express their most authentic selves on and off the boards. Skaters like Samuel are often rendered fearless, so it only makes sense for a skater himself to create what other skaters know best.
“I’ve always been intrigued with skate culture, and I had a board in my house for the longest time,” says Samuels. “I first would just pick at it here and there from time to time, but recently this year, I’ve been actively skating whether it’s street or at a park, and I met some great people along the way that I appreciate a lot.”
Belly Underground exists as a brand to lead the future of skaters through quality and comfortable graphic tees, stickers for boards, and beanies. On these pieces include clever designs such as an illustration of a bell with the letter “Y” next to it and “Belly Under” handwritten with a drawn dog to represent an underdog. There are also matching pants; That same underdog can be seen on the front of a pair of denim pants.
“I started designing overall in 2017 with my friends,” says Samuels. “We were trying to expand a brand that one of my close friends created, but as that drive and passion slowly declined within the group, it gave me a motivation — like a battery in my back to start my own brand. Two years later, my passion didn’t stop there. I wanted to do more for myself and impact other people around the world that relate to me.”
Belly Ultrasound Tee by Trendy Naj
Functionality is one of the most essential elements when it comes to skatewear. If a skater isn’t able to move or be comfortable in durable clothes, they can’t skate in it. Durability and functionality also come with a signature look: baggy clothes and exhausted skate sneakers. Belly Underground extends these signatures with oversized garments depicting ingenious art perfect for a skater or streetwear style-lover, like a middle finger, a social security card reading “Belly,” and an ultrasound photo.
“I strive to seamlessly blend these two aspects by recognizing that everyone has their own unique motivations for purchasing a particular item, whether it's a personal connection or an appreciation for its aesthetics,” says Samuels. “When I design an item intended for skateboarding, I not only focus on creating an appealing design but also aim to convey a meaningful message through the design. I understand that skaters have a solid connection to their craft, and aesthetics play a crucial role in them. In the realm of streetwear, my approach remains consistent. I work on creating a variety of color schemes and subtle designs, using materials specifically chosen for their durability to withstand wear and tear. This ensures that the clothing can be versatile and suitable for various occasions.”
Skater or not, Samuels wants wearers to feel connected and a part of something when they wear Belly Underground. He says he wants to expand the brand worldwide with more pieces, including graphic tees, hoodies, knitwear, skate decks, and accessories.
