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ABOUT FATED TO PRETEND

The idea for Fated To Pretend originated in 2017, it began as a skateboard company acting under the name “Beach Boards”, selling hand painted boards out of a garage. However founder and designer Archie Lyndhurst’s love for streetwear took the company in a new direction and then in 2018 the idea for “Fated To Pretend” was born.

About

ARCHIE
LYNDHURST

I’ve been a skater pretty much my whole life, my father bought me a children’s board when I was 7 and then a proper board from Gordon and Smith when I was 8 (the board that I still use to this day). I remember the first piece of skate-wear I owned was a Santa Cruz shirt, I wore it all the time. From there my style became baggy t-shirts, over sized hoodies and any pair of trainers I could get my hands on.

I started designing clothes when I was 17, nothing ever came from these designs, it was more sketches that I did out of boredom. When I was 18 my passion for clothing and ‘streetwear’ culture inspired me to create my own clothing brand. The idea played around my head for a long time, I didn’t know what to do with it. I knew I wanted to do something important to me but I had no idea what.

A few months later I was going through various issues in my life, mostly stemming from anxiety, insomnia and depression. It was a difficult time but it inspired me. It gave me the impetus to design the first drop for Fated To Pretend ‘Come with one heart’. Every garment in this collection is very personal to me and that’s why I’m so passionate about this project.

I’m excited for what the future holds in-store for the brand and I can’t wait to share my love for clothing with the world.

“The thing that I want everyone to feel when they wear clothes they like is I want them to feel comfortable, not just in the clothes but in themselves. When you find something you feel nice in, something you feel happy in, that’s a big thing and that’s what I want people to feel when they wear my clothes.”

MORE ABOUT
THE MAN

Archie, from the moment he arrived, he became our whole world. A more delightful child we couldn’t have wished for.

As early as five, his creativity was flowing and he’d make films with his toys on the stairs. A few years later, he would write scripts for short films and, with an underwater camera, his imagination flourished.

By the age of 10, it was blindingly obvious that a formal education was not going to be suitable, so a theatre school was attended.

During his first term interview to see if the placement was fitting for both school and child, Archie was asked by a teacher how he felt.

“I feel like I’ve come home.”

From then on, he flew, landing many acting jobs and saving all his earnings. He never boasted about any job gained, only ever referred to it as work.

When asked by a teacher once to pick a subject to speak about, Archie asked:

“Why are we all here?”

“Why do you think?” the teacher replied.

“To make a difference,” Archie said.

From the age of ten, and even earlier, his wiseness was most profound. He was, and always will be, the best teacher we ever had. We are still learning from him today.

Archie faced tough times at school but only ever blew a kiss to the hatred aimed at him. His weapon of choice was always love.

How he dealt with all the challenges life threw at him was astounding. He’d come left of field every time and could sort any problem placed in his path.

Just before lockdown, six young men tried to rob him. After two of them showed him their concealed blades, demanding that he hand over his phone and headphones – and insisted that he buy drugs from their “Boss Man” on the corner – Archie fronted it out. He explained he didn’t want any trouble, but his parents had worked hard to give him these things, and no offence, but drugs weren’t his thing so he wouldn’t be buying.

After a short while, Boss Man approached from the corner, fist-bumped him, and said “Respect, man.”

We don’t know how he charmed his way to be free – and with all belongings intact – but that was him, always engaging with any stranger he met, good or bad.

His loving and generous nature was for all of humanity, not just kept within the realms of family and friends. His love knew no bounds.

On being invited up to Manchester to visit him filming on set, we jumped at the chance. He’d mentioned he’d like to introduce us to a new friend, George. We arrived, and during a moment between takes, we asked where George was.

“Oh, he’s not here.”

We didn’t ask further, just assumed he wasn’t required on set that day. As evening came, Archie invited us to dinner. As we walked through the streets towards the restaurant, he approached a homeless man and introduced us to his friend George and his dog Winston.

For the thirteen-week shoot, he saw him every day for a chat and made sure they both had food.

This is the absolute core of Archie. The stories of kindness are endless.

He was everyone’s wingman and a great protector of women. These qualities he had from day one will be generated into his charity that we will launch soon. ‘Silent Hero’ will help women who have endured and suffered domestic abuse. Fated will honour this with dedicated drops from time to time.

Fated was born out of more testing times for Archie. It was around 2016/2017 when a dear friend introduced him to streetwear. He’d skateboarded since the age of 6 – it was his means of travel most days – so to have the two combined, he found enthralling. He instantly felt connected and accepted, with a new way of looking at things.

Originally starting out with designing skate decks, he soon moved onto clothing – that’s where his biggest passion lay.

He would sit for hours drawing and designing, just quietly getting on with it all, with everything a closely guarded secret.

Creativity and generosity went hand in hand for Archie. Even the jeans design in this first collection shows the love for his brothers and sisters – each heart represents a friend. The bag, with its barcode and number, is from the bus stop where he first kissed the love of his life.

His biggest aim was for people to feel happy in themselves, to be accepted for who they are, and to welcome them in.

The whole meaning of the collection:

‘Come With One Heart’ is to be true, honest, and loving. Come at life with a pure heart, and all will be good.

Archie’s words speak volumes:

“Fated invites you in to a whole new culture to meet new people.”

Only four days before the unthinkable happened, he’d been to collect the first sample of the Tarantino jumper. He was so happy and excited at the prospect of people feeling good wearing his clothing. His excitement and energy were palpable.

The drive and determination to create a world of clothing where all could be welcomed had no limits.

His dream was to own a shop with a café underneath so people could chill together, sharing their stories and passions of their own.

Community and friendships were incredibly important to Archie. On nights out, he’d make sure there were as many friends together as possible. Making sure everyone was included was important to him.

We’d often hear him arranging the get-together and, more often than not, hear “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered” – reassuring said friend that they didn’t need money. To him, the only important thing was that they were there.

It is impossible to tell you everything in such a short space of time. There are so many adjectives to describe our beautiful boy. A close friend describes him as human sunshine.

When you’d been with Archie, your energy levels would always be lifted, and you’d be left with a warmth inside that would continue to glow.

It’s a wonderful feeling to experience.

Fated has launched because Archie was so close to launching it himself. His designs have his personality and love running through them. When you feel the clothing, you will understand. His passion to welcome others in and for them to feel good was so immense – it’s the very least we can do.

He was robbed of time.

As his parents, it is an honour for us. We are utterly privileged that he chose us to be his parents – something we will never take for granted.

We look forward to watching the brand grow in time, with many more designs and collections he’d completed.

Archie… “You did make a difference.”

Mission accomplished.

We now hand our world into your world and look forward to you meeting Archie in a way that is as unique as him.

Big Love,
Mama & Old Man

Fated to pretend