Salvador Lucas Barbier orSLB (born July 12, 1969) is an Americandesigner andcreative director, widely known for his innovative and trailblazing professionalskateboarding career.[2][3]
An early pioneer of the signatureskate shoe market, Barbier designed and endorsed theEtnies SLB 23, a shoe critically regarded as "one of the most iconic skate shoes of all time."[6] The shoe design, initially released in 1993, has been reissued many times over due to continued demand. Following up the SLB 23 with his signature MID and 97 editions fromES Footwear, Barbier's design innovations contributed to the progression and evolution of modern skateboarding shoe design.[7] In addition to the innovative design, these shoes also became the blueprint for skateboarding footwearendorsement deals.[8]
As a professional skateboarder, Sal was one of the six members of the original Plan B lineup. One of his trademark moves, the “Sal Flip” is ingrained in modern skateboarding culture, and featured in popular skateboarding video games, instructional guides and training apps.[9][10] He was the first professional skateboarder to maneuver a kickflip to board slide on a handrail and perform a front side big spin on a handrail. His legendary skills were immortalized in the classic 1989 skate videoHokus Pokus.[11]
Barbier founded and directed several skate companies that shaped the market of the 90’s, and still have an influence on many of today’s brands.[12] In his role as a creative director, Sal continues to work with the limited-edition Aesthetics Skateboards, and select collaborations.[13]
