Kith Digs Into the Armani Archives for “Dreams of the Dune” FW26
Drawing references from Giorgio Armani’s “Sahara” collections from the late ’80s and early ’90s and tying in new collaborations.
Summary
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The FW26 “Dreams of the Dune” collection blends Armani’s vintage tailoring with Kith’s modern streetwear, featuring neutral tones and collaborations with ASICS, Diemme, and ’47.
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Launching globally on October 16, the range will be available online and at select Kith and Armani stores.
For their third collaborative collection, Kith and Giorgio Armani took to the Moroccan desert for an outdoor runway show inspired by one of Ronnie Fieg’s favorite periods of the Italian brand. Looking to Armani’s desert-inspired Sahara collections and campaigns from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the two labels created a range that traverses both Kith’s contemporary streetwear roots and Armani’s European sartorial traditions.
Referencing archival seasons like Fall/Winter 1990 and Spring/Summer 1992, the latest collection was interlaced with Armani signatures — relaxed tailoring juxtaposed with fluid fabrics and leather outerwear. In keeping with a dry, desert palette, color was largely neutral throughout, ranging from black, navy, tan, gray, brown, and white. Modern twists were provided by Ronnie Fieg’s streetwear touch, along with collaborative pieces with ASICS, Diemme, and ’47.
The final result is layered, not only in the historical sense, but in its physical manifestation: coats worn over pullovers with turtlenecks underneath, and elsewhere, a shirt and necktie with a leather jacket and a padded trench coat. There were also unexpected moments of layering, counterbalancing the range’s tailored feel, including printed compression pants worn with shorts, scarves around the hip, and neck gaiters covering the face. New accessories like the ASICS GEL-MAI 0.1 in “Quarry” and “Safari,” along with the range of ‘47 Yankees caps, stood out against the collection’s tailored silhouettes and luxurious materials like suede, silk, virgin wool, cashmere, and pure hemp. Far from excessive, these juxtapositions between the everyday and the formal, the past and the present, and ultimately, Fieg and Armani’s distinct identities are executed with a seamless fusion and restrained approach.
Giorgio Armani & Kith FW26 “Dreams of the Dune” launches globally on Friday, October 16 at select Giorgio Armani stores and all Kith stores, and online at 11 AM on Kith.com and the Kith App in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo time zones. The Giorgio Armani & Kith for ASICS GEL-MAI 0.1 will drop exclusively at Kith stores, Kith.com, and the Kith app.
