August 24, 2023 |
Carhartt WIP and Sacai are merging utilitarian forces for a AW23 collection that’s commemorating workwear-inspired archetypes. After first handing out a taster earlier this year during Paris Fashion Week, the collection will now officially launch on September 8 through Sacai, Carhartt WIP and Dover Street Market stores and online.
Chitose Abe, creative director of Sacai, who previously worked alongside Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe during her eight years with Comme des Garçons, has brought her hybrid lens to some classic Carhartt pieces. Her reinterpretations fuse Sacai’s signature nylon twill with Carhartt WIP’s duck fabric jackets, alongside cardigan-bomber jackets using Sacai’s specialist knitting techniques.
The collection is built for layering and experimenting with silhouettes, whether that be through pairing pleated maxi skirts with cropped knitwear or oversized structured jackets with workwear trousers. Zipper and pocket elements flow throughout each piece, often accompanied by collared necklines, teddy fleece linings and buckled strap components. Accessories come in the form of belt-bags, beanies, necklaces and rings.
The gender-fluid capsule has got all the essentials for your winter wardrobe; arms arriving in sky blues, woody neutrals and charcoal blacks to welcome the change of seasons in style. Carhartt WIP’s very own skate team model the hybrid pieces in the accompanying campaign, shot by filmmaker Joaquim Bayle. The skaters include Pepe Tirelli, Tolia Titaev, Dede Lovelace and Kasper Kacia.
An amalgamation of androgynous shapes, rugged detailing and functional fabrics – the collaboration is the perfect recipe for innovative workwear. Want to get ahead of the line for this one? Luckily there will be a pre-launch pop up at DSML (Dover Street Market London) from September 6, two days ahead of the official launch. Run, don’t walk.
Photography by Joaquim Bayle.
