LVHM Prize Finalist - Matthew Adams Dolan

His highly realized attire might appear able to convince you otherwise, but truth is— Dolan did not always dream to do fashion. At the age of 17, the designer won a scholarship to visit the National Gallery of Australia, with aspirations of becoming a curator.

The Matthew Adams Dolan world is centered around the legacy and evolution of American dress.

In an event no short of fate, a Vivienne Westwood retrospective happened to be on display, and that exhibition would change the course of his life. For the first time, Dolan was able to see the link between fashion, art, and culture, and how each realm could inform the other to create something beautiful.

Arguably it was this ‘aha’ moment that day the National Gallery that formed the quintessence of Dolan’s fashion philosophy: Each article of clothing as an exquisite amalgam of past, present, and future, a beautiful embracement of where we have been and where we are going.

It is all about juxtaposition; elitism and democracy; young and old; street and chic.

What first put this designer on the fashion map was a reinterpretation of the most iconic ‘American uniform’, the denim jacket. More recently, however, Dolan has been playing with the idea of aesthetic heritage in other ways. Re-working and deconstructing other classic American staple pieces, such as the polo-shirt and the tuxedo, the designer is now approaching garment construction in an increasingly utilitarian way.

Dolan, 30, has already cultivated a rather impressive cult-following in his short two years on the block, which includes the likes of mega-star Rihanna. His success to date is in no small part due to the two paradoxes that have come to define his aesthetic identity: streetwise yet sophisticated, and unconventional in his approach to convention.

In a turbulent political climate, we seek to explore and challenge the American identity, mediating on what it means to be an American now— how a progressive vision of Americana can be presented to the world through the subversion of traditionally American signifiers, reimagining them as a modern American wardrobe for an inclusive and celebratory generation.

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Starting off December on the right foot, Jordan Brand teamed up with cultural visionary Téla to create a fresh addition to its brand. As a co-founder of Who Decides War, Téla is constantly focused on finding innovative ways to blend luxury and streetwear. The Jordan Brand Flight Court x Téla pulls inspiration from skateboarding and basketball as well, resulting in a shoe meant for any occasion.

With its debut on December 5th, the collaboration is marked by its mix of Jumpman DNA and distressed elements. Who Decides War’s signature darning technique can be seen throughout the black, Off Noir, and Varsity Red shoe. You can even choose which logo to display while wearing them, enhancing the convergence of these two worlds.

By Abby Dillingham
Photos Courtesy of Jordan Brand

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office and Miista Join Forces for an Evening of Invigorating Conversation

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On one of New York's rainiest fall nights, office and Miista paired up to bring together a variety of women paving their way in the creative industry. The guests drank wine and enjoyed a culinary experience orchestrated by Magdalena O'Neal, while a playlist curated by Lucy McFadin set the mood. Providing an escape from the storm raging outstide, Miista's store became a warm glimpse into the world of fashionable women and captivating conversation.

The conversation, led by office's Cassie Jekanoski, was centered around navigating today's creative industry while bringing hope and joy to the craft. Smiles were exchanged and laughs echoed the walls as the guests got real about their takes on creativity, collaboration, and individuality. Meanwhile, bright flames reflected on the Orchard Street storefront as the culinary team grilled outside.

Photos by Ava Perman

Perfection is the recipe for disaster for a lot of us. You will always fail in the pursuit of perfect... but the journey is fun. - Kevin Ponce

Everyone finds zen in their work in a different way. It's a really important part, having something in your work that feels good despite what else is going on. Once you put yourself into that state of flow, a lot comes out. -Martine Ali

A lot of the time we have narratives of people, what we think they are going to be like, or a certain perception of them. For them to blow away all of those things is incredibly cool. That's my main objective and the whole point of writing, to keep the narrative going, to keep cultural criticism going, to keep history going. - Kerane Marcellus