Talking WACKO MARIA x Carhartt WIP AW20 With Atsuhiko Mori
This Autumn, Tokyo based cult label WACKO MARIA has collaborated with Carhartt WIP to create an 18 piece capsule collection which focuses around iconic Carhartt WIP pieces reinterpreted by the eclectic brand.
Familiar vibrant WACKO MARIA design elements feature throughout the collection – such as leopard print and embroidered black letter motifs – giving new life to classic Carhartt WIP pieces. Leopard print leads the show throughout, and has been applied to the WACKO MARIA’s signature open collar shirt, the OG Active Jacket in two tones and two reverse iterations of the OG Detroit Jacket – featuring as both a printed outer canvas and a lining. Two colorways of WACKO MARIA’s highly wearable Skate Pant also feature having been upgraded in Carhartt WIP’s robust cotton twill. The collection is rounded off with a reworking of popular go-to Carhartt WIP pieces which include the American Script T-Shirt, Chase Crewneck and Watch Hat – all with subtle embroidered and patch co-branding.
WACKO MARIA, the energetic Japanese streetwear brand, was first launched in Tokyo in 2005 by Atsuhiko Mori. The brand started as a record store with a pop-up bar with a strong affinity for live music, collecting records and good times – the brand quickly became a cult name in Japan and within the global streetwear circle. Past collaborators have included the artist Weirdo Dave, photographer and filmmaker Larry Clark, and director Jim Jarmusch – underlining a culture- led approach that directs the brand’s aesthetic. The accompanying images for this collaboration were shot in Shibuya, Tokyo by Taro Mizutani, a regular collaborator with WACKO MARIA. We caught up with founder Atsuhiko Mori, to find out more about the collaboration and the future of WACKO MARIA.
Hi Atsuhiko, firstly congratulations on reaching the 15th anniversary of WACKO MARIA, how does that feel?
Thank you. It feels like we’ve come to a point where we’ve finally built the foundations of a clothing brand.
How have the last few months been for WACKO MARIA?
Since we weren’t able to go outside, we focused on strengthening our brand internally and started preparing for new projects.
WACKO MARIA consistently collaborates with the biggest global brands and most interesting artists, how did the project with Carhartt WIP arise?
A few years ago when I was in LA, I met Edwin Faeh’s (Carhartt WIP Founder) daughter, Vivi, at DJ Harvey’s party. Edwin also came to PARADISE TOKYO where we had the opportunity to chat. When I met him, I remember thinking “what a gentleman this man is!”
What are your earliest memories with Carhartt?
The style of 90’s rappers and the seniors around me when I was growing up wore it stylishly.
Carhartt WIP is hugely popular in Europe, what is the relationship with the brand and workwear styling in Japan?
There were a lot of people in Japan during the 90s-2000s wearing it stylishly, and I think there’s been a continuation of this since then.
What were your aims with the collaboration?
It was a good learning experience working and collaborating with globally esteemed brand like Carhartt WIP.
After a long week working, you get home, have a drink – what record are you putting on?
I listen to a wide variety of genres, but I’m currently really enjoying 60s garage.
Whats next for WACKO MARIA?
We will keep continuing to strive to do the things we genuinely enjoy.
The WACKO MARIA x Carhartt WIP AW20 Collection is coming soon to HIP.
New For AW20 – Ultimate Winter Outerwear From SHU
Founded in 2012, SHU hail from Saint Petersburg, Russia and specialize in crafting rainproof and windproof outerwear to help you protect from the elements. SHU create designs with minimalistic and simple cut lines with a focus on development mixed with technology and everyday people. Versatile outerwear highlights each collection in a wide array of colours with technology driven options to help keep you going in the harshest months.
SHU keep things simple with versatile yet interesting colour options across all of their styles, with their Reversible Jacket’s being ideal options for those wanting to change things up from time to time with bold pink and yellow secondary inner colourways. When it comes to Winter time, everyone is on the lookout for their next go-to jacket for the season which can be tricky at the best of times – key factors many look for in a robust Winter coat is versatility, wearability and reliable technology to protect from the elements, thankfully SHU has all these bases covered. Technology and design is a key part in SHU’s offering giving confidence in providing a jacket you can rely on through the harshest of elements for years on end. SHU’s jackets are crafted using a breathable membrane fabric and doubled insulation DuPont™ Sorona® designed for cold temperatures to protect up to −20°/−25°C, more than enough for most places in the world during Winter. On top of this, SHU jackets are able to resist up to 10000mm of water column pressure with sealed pockets and zippers making sure you and your personal belongings can stay dry in even the wettest of conditions. These factors combined all make SHU a strong contender as some of the best outerwear we’ve seen this year.
New for AW20: Winter outerwear from SHU. Online now.
Beams Plus AW20 Collection At HIP
Beams Plus harks back to the golden era of American casual wear and brings the rugged aesthetic of that age to the modern day, thanks to modern cuts and materials crafted with a Japanese attention to detail. Beams Plus has been the go-to brand perfect for staples such as checked shirts, striped tees and banded collars for years but it’s also the brand to turn to if you’re looking to inject a statement piece into your core rotation that’s sure to turn heads.
This AW20 Beams Plus return with an expansive collection that perfectly meshes the best of American menswear with Japan’s famed tailoring and craftsmanship. To showcase the collection, HIP took to Leeds Library which was founded in 1768 to showcase the timeless and sophisticated delivery in a similarly classic setting. Standout items in the collection include the Patchwork Corduroy Smock, Multi Pattern Shaggy Shirt and the Fleece Stripe Cardigan which sit amongst a deep and mature colour palette mixed within a wide variety of unique materials.
The Beams Plus AW20 Collection at HIP is online now.
YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Carbon’
This Autumn, adidas Originals + KANYE WEST present the all new YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Carbon’ – featuring a muted grey upper composed of multi-toned re-engineered Primeknit with accents of black, grey, and cream. The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Carbon’ incorporates the post-dyed monofilament stripe woven into its side and rear with adidas’ innovative BOOST technology in the midsole encased in a light clear gum outsole. The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Carbon’ features no-tie stretch laces for easy on and off wear for those looking for a relaxed fit and also comes equipped with a second set of standard laces for the classic 350 V2 fit.
The adidas + KANYE WEST YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 ‘Carbon’ launches at HIP on 03/10/20 online via our new and improved raffle with pre-authorized payment and in Leeds FCFS.
