SARDIN

September 23, 2018

SARDIN is changing the industry by giving a whole new meaning to sustanaibility—and fast fashion.

Launched earlier this month, the e-commerce platform is determined to eliminate waste while also providing a space for emerging talent to release and distribute eco-friendly and ethically made clothes. But how?

Basically, SARDIN chooses top underground labels, like Parisian brand Phipps and London-based ELLISS, and the two of them collaborate on exclusive collections, specifically for SARDIN, that are available for 30 days. That way, the platform only delivers what's in demand—and offers people hard to get, limited edition looks.

For their latest drops, the e-comm site has teamed up with Phipps and ELLISS on two capsules that, though very different, both illustrate SARDIN's main goal: to create cutting edge fashion with a social conscious.

And we can't wait to see what they do next.

office caught up with SARDIN's Rune Orloff to learn more about the platform. Read our interview, and peep some photos from their latest collaborations, below.

What is SARDIN? How do you describe what you do?

SARDIN is an online springboard for new responsible concepts, developed by leading international brands and designers. We want to elevate brands that specialize in making sustainable, eco-innovative or fair trade practices their core strategies.

You have a new collaboration with Phipps that just came out. Tell me about it.

Correct! We are launching a series of exclusives from the Parisian brand Phipps. The designer, Spencer Phipps, a former designer at Dries Van Noten and Marc Jacobs, is now committed to sustainable methods and has a genuine passion for nature. The capsule he is presenting with SARDIN has a very special print, created with the pattern of extinct species found in fossils. It’s beautiful!

What inspired it?

One of our partners, David Fischer at HighSnobiety suggested we reach out to Spencer, after they had featured him as one of their new ‘brands to watch.’ After meeting him, it was obvious that we had to do something together.

Why does SARDIN like to do so many exclusive collabs?

SARDIN is a platform created to accelerate products with the right purpose. We love the collaborative processes and truly believe that expertise from a variety of sources will be key to solving many of the negative issues the industry is facing.

Our 30 day pre-order mechanism makes all products on SARDIN exclusive in one or the other way. After the ‘shopping window’ is closed, products won’t be available again. The focus is to prevent overproduction and only make what we have demand for.

Above: SARDIN's collaboration with Elliss Solomon, available now through October 5.

Some background info on SARDIN: why did you decide to launch the platform?

We believe there is a complete lack of customer-facing e-comm platforms that offer a new and more sustainable way of shopping—a place that focuses on the story behind products and promotes the idea of quality, not quantity. We saw a lot of ambitious brands within the market doing so many things right, but we really struggled to find a collective space for those great concepts.

What do see for the platform going forward?

We are focused on developing our brand portfolio. From 2019, we intend to launch a new product story weekly.

What else is coming up next for Sardin?

With our environmental partner, Parley for the Oceans, we intend to start a bunch of clean-up programs and initiatives, donating proceeds from product campaigns. Our hidden agenda is to make the SARDIN shopping process an indirect funding mechanism and create an overall cleaner path for the industry going forward.

If you could do a collaboration with anyone—alive or dead—who would it be?

Impossible to pick one! We just launched - every new brand is a big win for our concept.

Above: SARDIN's collabortion with Phipps, available now through October 19.

Phipps campaign: art direction & photography by Arturo Bamboo; ELLISS campaign photos by Camille Summers-Valli; styling by Alex Carl; all photos courtesy of SARDIN.

Fashion

Dr. Martens x MM6 Maison Margiela reveal their first capsule collection

November 12, 2024

Dr. Martens and MM6 Maison Margiela have teamed up for the first time to launch a Fall/Winter capsule collection that reinvents classic footwear with a fresh twist. The collection combines four iconic Dr. Martens styles—the 1460 and 1490 boots, the 1461 shoe, and the Penton loafer—into three unique hybrid designs, each with MM6’s special touch.

Revealed at MM6 Maison Margiela’s AW24 show, these designs mix familiar Dr. Martens silhouettes in surprising ways, adding bold new details. Each piece has Dr. Martens’ signature yellow stitching and AirWair heel loop, along with MM6’s unique numbered imprint.

The Dr. Martens x MM6 Maison Margiela collection launches November 19 on both brands’ websites, in select MM6 stores, and at limited retailers.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography courtesy of Dr. Martens and MM6 Maisoin Margiela

Fashion

Lennon Gallagher’s Future Heritage

November 08, 2024

At London's The Dublin Castle, Lennon Gallagher’s band Automotion played a gig on the same stage once christened by The Killers, that birthed The Libertines. The pub’s indie-soaked history was the perfect match for the genuinity of the trio’s setlist — a nod to the bands who had found their "break" there decades prior.

The crowd, clad in blazers and button-downs, was packed with Lennon’s family and friends, celebrating the launch of Napapijri’s FW24 campaign with mixed drinks from the open bar and a cig on the Camden streets. Starring Lennon and his mother, Patsy, the campaign channeled '90s influences from padded puffers to elastic drawstrings. Scattered through the crowd, the styles nodded to silhouettes remembered through the lens of Napapijri’s classics.

After the show, office caught up with Lennon to discuss London winters, working with his mom, and family traditions in the Gallagher household.

By Julia Silverberg
Photography by Lin You

Have you been to The Dublin Castle before?

I’ve actually been a few times. It’s an iconic pub, and they pour a good Guinness.

It's historic — I heard Amy Winehouse would occasionally pull a pint there. How did it feel to perform at the venue?

It felt great, especially because most of the people in the crowd were my mates coming to support. It’s also fun performing in an intimate venue like The Dublin Castle, makes it more special.

Do you have a favorite memory of going out in North London?

It’s hard to pin down just one, North London has the best pubs.

Yeah, now is the best time to be inside at the pub. How would you describe London winters?

Wet.

Tell me about your band, Automotion.

We’re currently on our European tour which has been a lot of fun. Our music video for our new single, "Inferno," has just been released and we have some cool stuff coming up too, but you’ll have to wait and see.

What artists are influencing you right now?

At the moment, I’d say Black Midi. I’ve always enjoyed their music, but now they’re on repeat with Duster.

You get that from your sound and style; what’s the best outfit to wear for a show?

Leather trench coat, always.

You've always been into fashion, and you recently got to model alongside your mom, Patsy, in Napapijri's new campaign. What did working with the brand mean to you and your family?

It was fun to see each other working in a professional setting, so I guess it gave us both an insight into a work perspective of each other's lives which we don’t normally get to see.

Is there a moment from the shoot that stood out to you?

Probably the shots were my mum and I had to look at each other with serious faces. Was hard not to laugh, but we managed to keep it together

Do you have a favorite piece from the "Future Heritage" collection?

I’d have to say the 1990 Anorak, it’s a classic.

What fashion traditions have persisted in your household?

I think it’s always about being comfortable in what you wear. It’s a cliche but I’d say comfort is key.

Fashion

Go As You Please - Ann-Sofie Back 1998-2018

In this conversation for Office Magazine, Ann-Sofie Back and co-curator Nicole Walker open up about the deeper themes behind their new exhibition. They discuss everything from fashion and creativity to personal reflections on legacy, death, and the journey of curating Go As You Please.

Interview with Ann-Sofie Back and Nicole Walker

NW If you had to choose one garment from the whole archive to take with you to the grave. Which one would you choose?

ASB It varies from day to day. Right now it’s the red wig sandals we put in the exhibition last night. I can never look at my designs as singular pieces, it's what they’re combined with that makes them special. I actually have an aversion to dresses because of this. It is too easy.

If you have a t-shirt that sends out a certain message, you need to pair it with the wrong shoes to erase the shirt's message in order for the look to be ambivalent and possible to read in different ways. Sending out a clear message is failure.

What has been the hardest decision you have made in terms of your work?

NW I think the hardest decision is how much I’ve had to compromise my creativity to be able to earn a living as a stylist. Like it’s half styling, half being an actress / people reader-pleaser. Or at least that’s my approach. With commercial projects, it’s always this draining, unhealthy feeling of selling your soul to a monster of capitalism. It’s really not why I do what I do. But I do love money!

And in all honesty, I think just carrying and taking one million bags of clothes/shoes and other shit around is exhausting at times. But I also enjoy pushing myself and my body to the limit. To the breaking point- which is compatible with being a stylist, it just also really means I will most likely die from treating my body like shit - but I’m ok with that!

This exhibition is all about death. Did working on this exhibition made you feel differently about dying in any way?

ASB Yes totally. It’s been a grieving period, and working on the exhibition and book for the past three to four years has helped me accept death and say goodbye. I feel like I’m done, I’m free, I can die now. My sense of self has been tied to being a fashion designer, but now, I’m free of that. The reason for keeping my design archive from 1998-2018 has always been to make this exhibition, but the death theme came maybe a year ago after going through some very dark times personally.

Tell me why fashion is the most important art form?

NW I don’t think it is. The reason why I love fashion is that it’s always going to be low culture. Fashion is never going to be considered fine art. And I love that. Fashion is that desperate little sibling constantly seeking validation.

Do you?

ASB Yes, everyone is involved has a say. Which makes super annoying but nonetheless more interesting and difficult to work with. You have the restraints of wearability and that the costumer and the constant question “do you think fashion is art” who cares?! But it is not.

NW So what is the most annoying thing about fashion right now?

ASB Since I’m not actively “in the business” any more I don't have any particular hates atm. People still dress ugly as shit though hahah.

NW If you could call someone dead, who would you call and what would you talk about?

ASB That thought is really scary. Firstly, I have a phone phobia and then talking to someone dead… I would call my dead dog Beverly and listen to her snores, huffs and puffs I think. I would tell her “cheese” and “ball”.

Do you want to be cremated and put in an urn or spread out someplace or buried in a coffin in the ground?

NW I want to be cremated for sure. I hate the idea of my body rotting or being eaten by worms and stuff. And would like to be spread somewhere nice, preferably somewhere warm like a desert or into a volcano. Or spread into multiple container necklaces, so people could be walking around with me around their necks. Would you wear my ashes around your neck if I die? :) I can put you on the list of potential owners of my ashes.

ASB I wonder how much ashes a body has? I don’t think I would wear you. However, you would get a special place in my house. A Shrine.

NW Ok, Shrine works for me.

Which is your favorite look in the exhibition, tho? You have to choose one.

ASB I can't. Maybe the first one you made still. Or the one with my baby teeth.

What about you?

NW That’s so funny, I think the first one I made or the one with baby teeth too.

ASB Isak (The Deputy Director at Liljevalchs, the gallery) was asking why I wanted to do an exhibition with my archive and not an archive show? Would you have liked to do that instead?

NW Like a runway show? No, I prefer this set up. I want to see your creations in an art Gallery. I walked through the exhibition, now that it's almost finished, and I got very emotional. I love the way it turned out, and I’m so in awe of what you’ve created, and I’m so happy to have been a part of this.

ASB I feel the same. Thank you for being a part of this and hanging in there through the very, very long process.

NW What happens for you now when the exhibition is almost done, what are your plans for the rest of the year?

ASB It will feel empty, post show-blues for sure. However, there is a lot happening and to do with the interior objects I am designing under the name Gnilmyd kcab. What about you?

NW I might move to Tokyo for a while, but it’s all up in the air at the moment. Which feels exciting and life is behaving beautifully strange and I just hope Trump does not win the US election next week cause if he does it really feels like everything will go to total shit.

RIP.