TRACKIE MCLEOD OWES IT ALL TO HIS MUM

“Never been to America, but been in some states,” reads a tartan flag with a Scottish shield in the centre. It’s the unmistakable work of Glasgow-born-and-bred multidisciplinary artist Trackie McLeod. Using painting, sculpture, and text, Trackie has carved out a space for himself, tackling class, identity, and what it means to grow up British. In an industry beset by pretension, Trackie’s work proudly holds humour at its core, never losing sight of where it came from.

Trackie's work has always been about identity on his own terms, about taking what shaped him and turning it into something distinctly his. This instinct to stay rooted while forging a new path makes Trackie McLeod a natural fit with END. LABEL. As we introduce our first full own-brand collection, we called upon people who reflected the same values of the collection: identity, versatility, and the confidence to build personal style. 

As Trackie walked the streets of Newcastle in the END. LABEL New Heritage collection, we caught up on how his mum shaped his style, the Total 90 boots he’ll always remember, and more.

Who in your life has influenced your style the most?

My mum. She’s always had a strong sense of personal style. At the school gates, she always looked different from the other mums; she wasn’t scared to take a risk. I grew to admire that. Naturally, that urge to differentiate ourselves from our peers filtered down to me and my sister. I’ve noticed that, as a family, we take pride in how we present ourselves to the world, especially through clothing. My mum famously never leaves the house without her ‘face on’ (make-up), even though she starts work at 4am. Legend.

Do you approach an outfit in the same way you approach a blank canvas?

Yes, staring at a blank canvas gives me the same sense of dread as not knowing what to wear.

What is your favourite medium and why?

It wouldn’t be very multidisciplinary of me to choose one, but I do have a soft spot for found objects.

Your personal style is eclectic, pulling from disparate subcultures. Is there a red thread that runs through it all?

Probably mixing smart and casual. Loafers with tracksuits, trainers with suits. Gay geezer.

What’s your favourite piece of clothing you’ve owned? Any standout memories of that piece?

I always think about this pair of red Total 90 boots I had. I was shite at football, but I wore them to death as a fashion statement. Was I pre-empting their return to streetwear? Who knows. I wore them until one mysteriously disappeared (my mum binned it).