Steve Aoki x Dim Mak FW17
The world of high-fashion, haute couture and the uber-trendy have been introduced to the rebellious stylings of DJ-by-trade and designer-by-inspiration, Steve Aoki. His Fall/Winter 2017 line of menswear is his first presentation in the states and bears the namesake of his dance/electronica record label: Dim Mak. First impressions of his collection are that it is rooted in his musical musings, infused with an urban attitude, and presented in an unconventional way.
Let’s set the stage.
The Dim Mak show at New York Fashion Week: Men’s debuted with a rebel spirit that carried with it looming success in the fashion theatre of Japan. The traditional catwalk was replaced with a makeshift halfpipe, replete with skateboarders substituted for models doing what else? – skateboarding while showing off Aoki’s designs. The industrial setting echoed the drum beats and synthesizers of the electronica that ushered the show from start to finish.
The sartorial stylings featured Japanese textiles, bold graphics, and neutral color tones with a bit of camo and tartan plaid patterns thrown in to keep it interesting and cohesive. The upscale streetwear was at once a Grunge-inspired throwback and a modern spin on silhouettes.
Examples of hoodies outfitted with raglan sleeves and short hemlines provided a voluminous top half that contradicted a more fitted, tapered-leg bottom half. Outerwear featured trench boats and color-blocked bomber jackets. Monochromatic looks were offset with daring stripes and paint splatters for aesthetic appeal. Skull caps appropriately brought cohesion to the collection.
While eccentric, Steve Aoki’s new line of menswear is far from avant-garde. His ready-to-wear fashions are well-made, cool, subtly branded, and highlight how the culture of skateboarding is indeed, inherently fashionable.