The Collectives

Working in fashion here on the Pacific Northwest -- where skiing, snowboarding, hanging ten in Tofino, skateboarding and living the good life (as Kanye would say) reign -- has exposed me to a lot more brands that speak to lifestyle.

I'm discovering the word and the concept of "collective" taking over the worlds of fashion, music and art. In terms of lifestyle brands, you've got Lifetime Collective, WeSC (We Are The Superlative Conspiracy), FORM, Ksubi from Down Under and Threeasfour, formerly As Four before Kai Kuhne bolted. When talking art, you've got Wooster Collective, The Silver Lake Art Collective and the Brooklyn Art Collective. In the music scene, The MisShapes, Broken Social Scene and The Raconteurs.

It's no longer about just creating a logo, brand or band -- it's about creating a particularly hip, underground lifestyle that people (and consumers) see themselves fitting into. WeSC and Lifetime Collective are both merry bandits of friends, musicians, designers, artists, photographers, skaters, snowboarders and celebrities that embrace certain philosophies and ways of living that suit the group outlook of fun, rockin' good times and creativity as a whole. FORM is NYC-based trio made up of a designer, an art director and a architect-slash-restauranteur who make gorgeously drape-y clothing and live a very downtown, art-driven existence. Wooster Collective is a group of street artists who create beauty out of urbanity and those who love them. Forget individualism.

There's something alluring about being part of a fashion, music or art (or all three) collective. Nothing cultish or creepy, just a sense of belonging, an understanding and a way of living your life that goes straight into the heart of who you really are.

And that, in itself, is pretty f*cking cool.










I'm Lovin' it: FrostFrench. Engineer Dress. Must have it.






I'm Over it: Past 10 pm and still typing away on my laptop. I've been waking up at 5 am every day this week for some reason, so naturally I already feel like it's my bedtime, yo, 'cause I'm beat.


Track of the Day: Had no time to scour. Though I wouldn't mind finding that Justice vs. Simian Mobile Disco track my girl Reems has on her MySpace page.







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