Emotion can be a signature as powerful as a logo.
The deepest and truest emotions are those steeped in one’s own biography and formative experiences. Thereafter, bringing traces of my life journey within the creative process charges my work with the energy I want the Off-White community to perceive. Pieces of clothing are way more than just objects. Whist keeping their useful and functional nature, they can convey narratives and be infused with soul, which is my aim within the emotional world Virgil created.
This collection was triggered by a trip to Ghana, the place where Virgil came from and the roots he cherished and constantly referred to in his work. I was born in Sierra Leone, and eventually grew up in London, but our experiences were similar. I have vivid memories of what America, and New York in particular, represented in the collective imagination of Africans: a dreamland of utopias made real, a place of opportunities. The lotteries in which the main prize would be a possibility to enter the States were mayor events for us.
Off-White
I chose DUTY FREE as the title for this new endeavor which represents a fusion of America and Africa, using sportswear as a cultural facilitator. The mix of sharp lines, athletic inspirations and African futurism sets the tone. A sense of tautness and functionality is evident in pieces meant to be interpreted in multiple ways, inventively responding to moments and needs. Mens and womenswear share the same spirit, the same African palette of neutrals and khakis lit with dashes of red, the same fierceness and energetic physicality, which is also very me. This is my most autobiographic outing in every respect.
In Women’s we continued to explore a vertical, body-conscious slant, with wrapping and architectural cuts that sculpt the body, and decoration, embroideries and hand-painting that bring agitation onto the surfaces. Tailoring is functional, with a sharp feel to it; transparencies heighten the sensuality. The Off-White women are decisively powerful and seductive.
Men’s silhouettes are utilitarian and lush, conveying an idea of modular urban uniform.
Strategically placed zippers allow multipurposeness. Shredded denim, angular layering, quilting bring texture to the fore, while mesh and embroidery spice up the multicultural mix, to which embroidered sport numbers add an athletic tingle. The Off-White men come across as sensually in command.
For both collection we partnered with Nana Danso, a Ghanaian contemporary artist whose art has gained recognition through his endless cast of characters and personalities. Danso was challenged to envisage the brands iconic arrows motif and to produce key symbols relating to the collections core themes.
This collection oozes the inclusive spirit of New York as the place where dreamers gather. It is grounded in reality, with a dash of magic.
About Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh™
Established in 2013, Off-White™ is defining the grey area between black and white as a color. Under the brand name, seasonal men’s and women’s clothing collections, objects, furniture, and publications are articulating a current cultural vision. Collections are embedded in a recurrent backstory, with an emphasis on creating garments that have an identity by design. With a design studio based in Milan, Italy, the label harnesses the country’s history and craftsmanship, yet offers a global perspective on design and trends. With a clear vision of splicing the reality of how clothes are worn with the artistic expression of high-fashion, creative director and designer Virgil Abloh explored concepts in the realm of youth culture in the contemporary context.
##
Learn More
With love,
FWO
