Concept 014: Found in Translation at Nordstrom

August 31, 2021

New Concepts @ Nordstrom introduces a novel iteration of New Concepts, which is a platform the store created with the intentions of showcasing the latest and greatest talent in fashion through exciting brand partnerships. Concept 014: Found in Translation: A New Language of American Style was a project cultivated by SVP of Designer and New Concepts Sam Lobban, Nordstrom Men’s Fashion and Editorial Director Jian DeLeon, and entrepreneur John Kissi.

DeLeon, a Philippine-born immigrant, and Kissi, a Ghanaian-American, both noticed how their understanding of traditional American styles, especially in streetwear, were inevitably shaped by the world around them. They came to learn that what makes American style codes so quintessentially “American” are the multifaceted subcultures that contribute to those norms, and wanted to highlight this in each and every garment.

Text by Kayla Curtis-Evans
Photos courtesy of Nordstrom

The visual campaign for Concept 014, shot by Ghanaian photographer Lawrence Agyei and creatively led by Kissi, bolsters the ideology of unity throughout the collection even more so. “Found In Translation speaks to immigrant communities' contributions here in America. I used to look at photos of my father back in Ghana during the 70s wearing a double-breasted blazer, flared tweed pants, and a kente patterned shirt. It’s from those family albums that I immediately identified what it looked like to carry your culture with you wherever you go as it's your superpower,” says Kissi.

“One of our favorite parts of the New Concepts platform is the opportunity to bring people together to create something special for the Nordstrom customer,” says Lobban. As such, the collection accommodates a wide array of consumers, with products ranging from $20 to $1,960. To further advocate for the connectedness of all individuals, Nordstrom will be granting five percent of Concept 014 sales to Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). The organization dedicates their time to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children, in hopes of granting all children access to proper legal counsel to preserve their well-being and rights.

Concept 014: Found In Translation is available at the custom-built-in-store shops as well as online at www.nordstrom.com, through late October.

Fashion

Luis De Javier's Puta Takeover

April 25, 2024

Last night with Luis De Javier, guests were overheard confirming this generation's most vital conundrum: “If I’m cunt, I can still be pussy.” “And if you’re pussy, you can still be cunt.” This sentiment echoed throughout the night as we celebrated De Javier’s first-ever streetwear collection, "Puta". We spent seven hours at Ella Funt at a dinner turned party that only he could’ve thrown (co-hosted by emcee). It was too dark for even the most aspiring-to-look-mysterious of us to wear sunglasses inside. Under the semi-oppressive flash of party photographers, we danced as much as the space would allow, drank tequila out of teacups and kissed each other on the cheeks with a vaguely European intimacy. “I’m doing streetwear!” De Javier could be heard exclaiming — whether it be in disbelief or excitement, we couldn’t tell you.

Words and photos by Izzy Capulong

The Spanish-born London-based designer has been well-loved for his genderless tailoring, latex mastery, and overall message of empowerment. Dressing everyone from ravers to A-listers, De Javier’s latest drop pushes his design repertoire to a new level. “While designing for my celebrity clientele and showcasing my creations on the runway has always been my dream,” he notes, “It’s equally important to me that my brand resonates with a wider, more diverse audience.” While this collection’s medium has shifted from corsets to sweatshirts, the classic LDJ avant-garde sensibilities remain. Bikinis and booty shorts are shamelessly emblazoned with “PUTA,” blazers are constructed with ample shoulder padding, and I had my eye on the cheekily-named “Faguette Bag.”

The Puta collection will be available exclusively on emcee.

Fashion

Nadia Lee Cohen Celebrates Paris Texas Launch at the Chateau

To celebrate the launch, Cohen and founder and creative director of Paris Texas, Annamaria Brivio hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont pictured below. Arman Naféei entertained guests throughout the evening with a special playlist he curated for the occasion.

Fashion

Dating Olympics

April 23, 2024

In the wake of significant challenges including the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war which has heavily impacted production and logistics, Syndicate continues to innovate by integrating themes of survival, resilience, and the complex emotions involved in modern relationships. The collection features bold, thematic elements such as textual prints derived from real-life break-up phrases embodying the irony and emotional depth of contemporary dating narratives.

Some of the collection prints were created in collaboration with Magalie Heroux — a London-based graphic designer, the "Dating Olympics" collection employs a mix of early 2000s aesthetics with simple, impactful fonts and ironic slogans, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. The use of heat-reactive techniques further enriches the tactile experience, emphasising the warmth and connection that are essential to human interaction.

Text Alex Blake
Photography Vidar Logi
Styling Ira Vasylevska & Magalie Heroux
Casting & Production Andriy Zozulya, Taras Schevchuk
Hair Ruth Javy
Makeup Martina de Rosa
Models Sleeze McQueen, Dylan Proudfoot, Olive Harvey
Assistant Tony Poly

Shot by the Icelandic photographer and frequent Björk collaborator Vidar Logi, who's known for his distinctive style that blends natural landscapes with human elements, the “Dating Olympics” campaign is the perfect visual ode to the creative vision of the Syndicate founders Taras and Iryna.

With this collection, Syndicate not only addresses the hardships faced by many due to the current geopolitical situation but also celebrates the enduring human spirit to love and connect, even in times of adversity. The "Dating Olympics" is more than a fashion statement—it's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of love.