J. Crew and UNION LA Drop a Code-Colliding Collaboration

Designers Brendon Babenzien and Chris Gibbs discuss letting streetwear and prep collide on a number of oversized pieces.

Fashion
11.7K 4 Comments

Chris GibbsUNION Los Angeles and J. Crew, led by menswear director Brendon Babenzien, have joined forces on a capsule collection of streetwear-fueled academic wares. The two designers are longtime friends, having first met in 1996 when Gibbs began working part-time at Supreme under Babenzien’s creative tenure, and this collaboration offers a much-anticipated concoction of their evolved design codes today.

“It just made sense,” Babenzien told Hypebeast. “Chris is one of my oldest friends and also one of the people I call when I need advice. He’s as genuine as they come and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him. A true individual.”

The collection shakes up a top-shelf cocktail of J. Crew’s classic Americana ethos and UNION’s archetypal streetwear. Offering J. Crew signatures a new lease on life, the joint offering sees Gibbs transform the heritage brand’s timeless silhouettes with a countercultural approach. Here, the West Coast’s relaxed uniform meets the East Coast’s collegiate style in what can be described as an ideal fusion of streetwear and prep.

“I didn’t want to put graphics on everything. That’s never been my big thing,” said Gibbs of his influence on the line. “I decided instead to play with proportions, drape and color through the lens of streetwear and high fashion.”

Gibbs and Babenzien put forth a knit program, paying homage to J. Crew’s prowess in the genre with new asymmetrical shapes made with distressed alpaca and fleece textiles. Plaid fabrics drop their buttoned-up personas for something more playful, while a number graphic T-shirts and sweatsuits adopt a collaborative logo motif in signature streetwear form. The collection’s hero, however, is its Herring Bone Twill fabric, which is made to look like denim in a nod to workwear’s impact on the designers. The material, which Gibbs said he discovered while vintage shopping in Japan, forms the line’s Chore Coat and Pant set, as well as a cap.

“I am really proud of what we built. It’s subtle by nature, but we tried to make something that could live organically in both J.Crew doors and UNION doors. I think we did that,” said Gibbs.

The UNION Los Angeles x J. Crew collection is now available to shop at UNION LA, UNION TOKYO, UNION OSAKA, J. Crew Bowery and online at both J. Crew and UNION Los Angeles’ webstores. Take a closer look at the range in the gallery above.

In more fashion news, LANVIN SS24 is a love letter to its heroic founder.

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

Union Glashütte Marks 130th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Watch
Watches

Union Glashütte Marks 130th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Watch

The 1893 Johannes Dürrstein Edition Chronograph, limited to 300 examples.

Porsche Reveals the all-new 911 GT3 R rennsport
Automotive

Porsche Reveals the all-new 911 GT3 R rennsport

Limited to just 77 examples and priced at just over $1M USD.

EA SPORTS FC 24 is Available Today
Gaming

EA SPORTS FC 24 is Available Today

We spent the past week playing it and spoke to football legend Ian Wright at the EA SPORTS FC 24 Clubhouse launch event in London.

AFFXWRKS' "Major Force" Collection Explores Early Japanese Hip-Hop
Fashion 

AFFXWRKS' "Major Force" Collection Explores Early Japanese Hip-Hop

Taking inspiration from the Tokyo-based collective and record label, Major Force, founded by Masayuki Kudo, Toshio Nakanishi, Takagi Kan, Gota Yashiki, and Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Universal Works and Yogi's New Footwear Collaboration Prioritizes Comfort
Footwear 

Universal Works and Yogi's New Footwear Collaboration Prioritizes Comfort

With the collection featuring two versions of Yogi’s chunky, ranger-style Finn Moc.


Two Rare 1960s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" Are Set for Auction
Watches

Two Rare 1960s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" Are Set for Auction

Hitting the auction block in October.

LANVIN SS24 Is a Love Letter to Its Heroic Founder
Fashion

LANVIN SS24 Is a Love Letter to Its Heroic Founder

The in-house team takes a time machine to 1920, recalling the House’s extensive heritage through a refined co-ed collection.

Here Are 2023’s Most Luxurious Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes
Food & Beverage 

Here Are 2023’s Most Luxurious Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes

From Audemars Piguet’s adventure-ready lantern kit, and Louis Vuitton’s zen-filled set to Loewe’s take on traditional board games.

The Jordan Spiz’ike Winterized Surfaces in a "Duckboot" Colorway
Footwear

The Jordan Spiz’ike Winterized Surfaces in a "Duckboot" Colorway

Featuring hues of olive green, brown and black.

Best New Tracks: Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty x J. Cole and More
Music 

Best New Tracks: Lil Wayne, Lil Yachty x J. Cole and More

Enjoy your weekend with these 10 music projects.

More ▾
 
We got you covered. Don’t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.