FOUNDED IN MICHIGAN, CARHARTT IS THE LABEL SERVING THE UNIFORM NEEDS OF THOSE IN VARIOUS BLUE-COLLAR TRADES (FARMERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS – YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO HELP KEEP SOCIETIES FUNCTIONING) SINCE 1889, ONLY TO BE EMBRACED BY RAPPERS LIKE KANYE AND A$AP ROCKY AS OFF-DUTY STAPLES IN RECENT YEARS.
FOUNDED IN MICHIGAN, CARHARTT IS THE LABEL SERVING THE UNIFORM NEEDS OF THOSE IN VARIOUS BLUE-COLLAR TRADES (FARMERS, FIRE FIGHTERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS – YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO HELP KEEP SOCIETIES FUNCTIONING) SINCE 1889, ONLY TO BE EMBRACED BY RAPPERS LIKE KANYE AND A$AP ROCKY AS OFF-DUTY STAPLES IN RECENT YEARS. (IT ALSO OPENED A BOUTIQUE CARRYING ITS MORE FASHIONFORWARD WIP LINE AT MANDARIN GALLERY LAST DECEMBER.) THIS PRE-FALL, A DIVERSE RANGE OF LUXURY HOUSES IS PROPOSING A SIMILARLY NO-NONSENSE, HYPER-UTILITARIAN APPROACH TO WOMENSWEAR. CUE THE CAMEL-TONED, MULTICARGOPOCKET SEPARATES AT DIOR, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO AND CHLOE. BURBERRY OFFERS CHORE JACKETS AND COATS IN SIGNATURE WORKMAN BEIGE WITH CONTRASTING BROWN COLLARS WHILE THE MARC JACOBS – MJ’S NEW FRIENDLIER PRICED LINE – DOES TOO (THOUGH, TRUE TO HIS CHEEKINESS, AS PART OF A COTTON CANDY PINK SKIRT SUIT). CALL THESE PIECES FORTUITOUSLY APT FOR A TIME WHEN WHAT WE CRAVE MOST IS PROTECTION AND DEPENDABILITY. THEY’RE ALSO A CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD’S HIDDEN EVERYDAY HEROES – THE KIND OF PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES WHO DESERVE THAT MOST, IF YOU WERE TO ASK US.
(Foreground, from left) Camel-toned, multi-cargo-pocket pieces from Dior, Ferragamo and Chloe, The Marc Jacobs’ playful pink take on a chore jacket paired with a matching skirt; and a more classic padded version from Burberry. (Background) Pages from The Carhartt WIP Archives (2016, Rizzoli) that documents the evolution of the American label from workwear specialist to streetwear staple and cultural icon.
TEXT & COORDI NATION KENG YANGSHUEN PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN CHANG
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