We recently had the chance to connect with Louka Sakkas-Mantzouris and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Louka, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Living in Milan feels like being in a perpetual state of inspiration; there’s no confusing it as anything other than a fashion capital. I sense a proud community spirit woven into the culture of Milan, which I notice during my regular walks through the city, while riding public transport to my classes, and during my frequent runs to the more rural areas surrounding Milan.
If my day doesn’t start with some form of artistic expression, it wouldn’t be right. It’s either exercise or art & design – I’m naturally bad at replying in my DMs, so luckily for me, that’s not where I find myself first thing in the morning.
The rest of my day depends on what I’m working on, whether it’s a project, a deadline, or a class; I’m focused on that.
If I plan to chill out and relax, I’ll probably go for a run, funnily enough, exercise tends to be a place away from my usual art addictions, so I might plan to head out to check out a new place I haven’t been to – and then finish my day probably invested in an artwork or planning my next production design/ garment while “Return of the Jedi” plays in the background for the 40th time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by Zeek the Kid, I’m a visual artist, brand owner and designer for “Skazoodle fashion & design” a label I started in my early teenage years that has continued to grow with me.
I’ve been invested in fashion from a young age – always paying attention to what I was wearing. But my beginnings into the art world began in high school in art class. It’s where I discovered I had a passion for street art especially.
From thereon in I became inspired by graffiti and urban culture everywhere I would go – I would always be looking at the walls in a city. The graffiti would tell the story of the faceless people who were active in the graffiti scene and had something to say.
It took some time for me to develop my own voice in my practice and I still feel that it’s developing, refining and growing. I guess that’s the point, really – your full potential is a big size shoe to fit into, it takes time and patience and a full commitment to pushing your creative concept.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The moment I made real money doing what I truly love. It was at my first ever group art show and I sold these two sculptural pieces that I had no idea would sell nor was my intention in creating the pieces.
This is when a door opened for me into this new stage of my art career – but little did I know that was just the beginning.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stay true to what you feel, because that’s what’s real. Listen to your parents but don’t take what they say too seriously.
Enjoy doing new things but try to keep 1-2 things a consistent practice in your life, you’ll thank yourself for keeping consistent.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
YOU ARE THE COOLEST PERSON YOU KNOW
Yea, you – past the point of feeling like a regular every day Joe you start to discover what makes you YOU and everyone has it (unless your name is Joe, then it might take you a little more searching)
What I really mean by this is that you have a uniqueness to who you are that makes you genuinely cool; maybe you’re really into vintage cars, old furniature, classic architecture, ancient history or classical music – these are the things that are cool about you and people always wonder how to “break the ice” when all they need to do is talk about things that they truly love, that’s real vulnerability to not put on a front like you are something you are in fact not – it comes across, it’s not fake its just disingenuous and it ruins the connection.
Be COOL, be VULNERABLE.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
People will try their best to label me as something that fits into a shape with 4 90 degree edges… But it’s the space around that object that I’m exploring out into.
You’ll come to know me for something, then find something else that I have mastered a perspective in. I say “Perspective” because that’s all we have at the end of the day – how strong that is depends on how much time and effort you put into that – it varies for each.
I hope people come to know me as a maker of cool things, and a patient, vulnerable yet bold creative. Don’t get lost in the label making process – and just enjoy the art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skazoodle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeekthekid_tm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZeekvsWorld
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zeekwashere
Image Credits
Nick Nitrate, Adam Saunders, Ilya Kurkin, Jet Williams, ZeektheKid
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
