Art Comes First Addresses Racism and Police Brutality in New Capsule Collection

Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh’s Art Comes First has released a capsule collection that reflects on racial justice and equality. Back in 2016, the London-based collective shared an editorial called Artists Can’t Fear that very graphically addressed police brutality. In light of the protests that have erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd, ACF has looked for ways to express how the current political climate is affecting their thought process. Their latest drop affirms their core belief that “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times,” a quote by American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone.

The new range of apparel acts as the prequel for the main collection, “Blues,” which will be released at a later date. It includes a series of garments featuring evocative graphics, such as the “Anti-Capitalist Fashion” vintage tees, a long sleeve printed with two guns and the phrase “I Need a Pair of Those Next Time I’m Jogging” on the front and “F*ck Racism” on the back, as well as a “Cross Arms” button-down shirt with an image of hands holding scissors covering the front.

Other shirts address the importance of quarantining and social distancing during the pandemic. “COVID-19 Broke my Heart but at Least I Saved Lives by Quarantining Myself,” a shirt reads. A reversible face mask is also included in the collection. Made of 100 percent cotton, the covering features “Art Comes First” on one side and the brand’s hand and scissors graphic on the other.

Shop the capsule collection now on Art Comes First’s website.

Elsewhere in fashion, Anti Social Social Club has revealed the lookbook for its Fall/Winter 2020 collection.