Rivington & Essex

January 19, 2019

It’s been ten years since the world lost Michael Joseph Jackson aka The King Of Pop. Even with all of his eccentricity and late-life controversies, there was no doubt that MJ’s cultural impact was parallel to none as the world watched him evolve from prodigious child star to international phenomenon with influence throughout the worlds of music, fashion, fine art, dance and everything in between.

For his Louis Vuitton A/W ‘19 collection, designer Virgil Abloh channeled Michael Jackson’s energy in all facets of production, starting with transporting his Paris audience to a Lower East Side-themed setting, on the corner of Rivington and Ludlow. It was a major flashback to the singer’s 1987 music video for “Bad,” as office Issue 09 cover star Dev Hynes performed an original soundtrack. We traveled all the way to Paris only to be transported right back to NYC.

Text by Charles Caesar

PYT’s like Frank Ocean, Skepta and model-turned-Michael Jackson video girl Naomi Campbell watched as models walked the street, err, ruway, in puffer vests with matching duffle bags embossed with Louis Vuitton’s iconic logo, and prints featuring characters from 1978’s The Wiz. Of course, any nod to MJ couldn’t be complete without a glove -- Virgil gave us glittery ones that came straight out of “Billie Jean.”

And don’t worry—just because you weren’t there, doesn’t mean you have to feel 2 Bad. You can watch the whole presentation, below.

Photo & video courtesy of the brand.

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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.