Fashion and automobiles share an inextricable history, from Salvador Dali and Elsa Schiaparelli’s collaboration to Kenny “Von Dutch” Howard’s legendary customizing of 1970s car models – these two fields have always found ways to come together successfully.
Papers classified under this heading generally focus on virtual solutions as a means for industries to remain cost-competitive while meeting sustainability goals. An increasing number of companies are exploring this route.
1. Bless
At a time when hip neighborhoods around the globe are filled with boutiques offering one-stop shopping experiences to aesthetic enthusiasts, with sneaker shops, backpack stores, alarm clock shops, stationery shops, moisturizer shops and even cortados all under one roof, Bless remains true to product form and its modest capacity to transform daily life. Their approach takes an expansive view of design by producing multiple objects that work in unison to inform and expand upon one another.
Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag of Paris-and Berlin-based Desiree Heiss and Ines Kaag refuse to fit neatly into any one niche; rather, their livable apartment-showroom (BLESS Home) serves as both showroom and workshop; here they explore various sculptural forms and materials in their studio workshop BLESS Home, creating work which falls somewhere between fashion object, decorative art, high function fashion design and high fashion design; their style constantly reinvented and challenged by users’ individual usage habits of use.
2. Maison Martin Margiela
Belgian fashion designer Jan van As has long been an underrated force in fashion. His work stretches, strains and in many cases dismantles the definition of clothing itself. Additionally, Jan has broken boundaries through deconstruction, scale manipulation and reappropriation – with his iconic stacked-heel tabi boots changing foot morphology and Stockman dummy body parts being transformed into jackets and sweaters as examples of his extraordinary work.
Martin Margiela is widely considered one of the most influential designers ever, even though he remains obscure and doesn’t appear for interviews or photos. Even so, his label lives on under chief designer John Galliano whose collections remain far ahead of those produced elsewhere in fashion.
3. Ksubi
Ksubi has quickly become one of the world’s premier denim labels since its establishment. Gareth Moody, Dan Single and George Gorrow were dissatisfied with the lack of well-fitted jeans available on the market and decided to manufacture their own under the original name Tsubi. Their brand quickly made waves in America, garnering fans such as Travis Scott and Kendall Jenner as high profile admirers – while its distinct aesthetic draws inspiration from punk rock, grunge and skate culture influences through progressive shapes that appear across collections.
With an emphasis on originality and creativity, the brand embraces risks in its designs without fear. Recently, they collaborated with multidisciplinary artist Slumpy Kev on a limited-edition clothing collection featuring his characters that combined classic denim styles like wide leg ‘Anti K’ fits and relaxed straight leg ‘Playbacks’ as well as street inspired activewear styles.
4. Visvim
Visvim was initially founded by designer Hiroki Nakamura as a shoemaker at Burton snowboards in Japan. While working there, Nakamura became intrigued with American workwear culture – this led him to establish Visvim.
Nakamura founded his brand Visvim around an ethos he calls “future vintage.” This means that Visvim’s pieces honor past traditions while simultaneously offering modern fashion trends a glimpse of them; for instance, its popular FBT moccasin/sneaker hybrid was inspired by Native American moccasins but has been modified with features like repurposed mud dye and TPU heel stabilizers for a fresh twist.
Visvim has earned a loyal fan base thanks to their footwear and menswear lines, featuring eye-catching designs beloved by streetwear enthusiasts and even rocker Eric Clapton and John Mayer who boast full collections of Visvim products in their closets.
5. Richard James
Richard James tailoring has long been recognized for its unconventional style. Established on Savile Row in 1992 with an unassuming yet clever philosophy, Richard James tailoring has long stood out among traditional establishments over its two century history. Stepping inside their Clifford Street Bespoke atelier, one is immediately given an indication of this unconventionality by seeing an iconic transparent suit jacket framed and displayed directly opposite their entranceway.
James first released the Polygon Window LP (also released under Xylem Tube and Caustic Window) in January 1993 to mark his forays into cold acid techno and industrial drum’n’bass music. Later that same year he released Hangable Auto Bulb EP and n.IASP LP to explore acid jungle sounds; GAK also made its first public debut under various pseudonyms during this same year.
