Thundercat is in his own lane. Whether it be fashion or music, the two-time Grammy award-winner is well-versed in imparting his distinct take on whatever kind of creative outlet he is exploring at the time. Owning who he is more than most has resulted in a colourful and eclectic personal style as well as a stellar level of commercial success. The singer, and his progressive approach to R&B, boasts over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Now, the American musician is giving fans something new to get excited about – an eye-catching capsule collection available exclusively at Dover Street Market.
A fusion between the styles native to his hometown of LA and those often found in Japanese pop culture, the offering, which launched earlier this week, perfectly represents Thundercat’s cross-pollinated aesthetic. Speaking to 10 about how Japanese culture has infiltrated his consciousness from an early age, he says, “Animation played a big role. It made me realise that my favourite parts of cinematic and illustration aesthetics stem from Japanese animation and illustration. It played an important role in my development as an adolescent, and even into adulthood, it has stuck with me.”
It’s unsurprising then that anime-inspired graphics populate the drop, as do long and short Kimonos. For Thundercat, collaborating with the Tokyo-based artisans behind the store Robe Japonica to pay appropriate homage to these traditional garments was integral to the collection’s development. “I remember encountering the guys at Robe Japonica in my early visits to Japan,” the polymath recalls. “Coming across their store… I just fell in love. They custom-make their pieces and fabrics, so every time I was in Japan and wanted something special and fresh, I would go there. Fast forward a few years and there was this opportunity to collaborate and it was a really special moment for me and I hope it is for them too.” The idea to include kimonos in the drop was a meaningful decision for Thundercat. “They are made ageless and timeless,” the artist notes. “It’s a transcendent piece of style that takes on many different roles, from tradition to function, and everything in between.”
The importance of “transcendent” style is reaffirmed by Thundercat when he speaks about the influence of musical legends like Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix on his work. “Some pieces of art transcend space and time,” he says. “Artists like Jimmy and Miles transcend space and time.” Applying this idea to both his personal style and the DSM drop, the multi-hyphenate says, “Fashion is another piece of art which is timeless – it’s everything and nothing at the same time. It’s being rich, it’s being poor. It’s being happy, it’s being sad. It encompasses and embodies these feelings. It’s how you feel about yourself and where you’re at. It’s a statement and not a statement. It’s about how you feel. I like to laugh, but at the same time, I can see the seriousness. The way you express and feel this is what I’m looking for, always.”
Speaking on the decision to collaborate with DSM for the drop, his response it simple: “I love Dover Street [Market], and I think they love me too,” he laughs. “It’s one of my favourite places to shop.” When reminded of DSM’s Japanese heritage, Thundercat’s says, “There’s that moment again – it just feels right.” It’s a fitting final sentiment.
Thundercat’s capsule collection with Dover Street Market is now available to shop. Discover more here.
Photography courtesy of Dover Street Market.
