If ever there were two brands that seek to capture aspects of the USA, it would be difficult to find two more appropriate names than Adam Kimmel and Carhartt. No surprise therefore that the American launch party featured the live creation of American Indian ‘totem’ poles inside Barneys New York. Announced in late 2010, and released Winter 2011, this collaboration operates on a rolling basis, allowing products and ideas to develop between the brands. The work wear groundings of Carhartt sit juxtaposed to the often luxurious and formal elements of Adam Kimmel collections.
However, each season within Kimmel mainline, pieces such as jumpsuits and stone-washed denim return in reimagined forms, therefore it is no surprise that Kimmel has chosen to work with elements of already existing Carhartt pieces. Adapting silhouettes and using Adam Kimmel’s notoriously exclusive array of luxurious fabrics, the elements of blue and white collar America are combined as basic beanie hats become Cashmere and sweatshirts; luxury jersey. With a focussed collection of less than 30 pieces each season, Carhartt and Kimmel have chosen to showcase their work in an exclusive showroom designed in apartment and office block in Paris. Through darkened hallways, buyers are invited to climb the dirt and dust of the stairway into a bright, clean space...nothing like suggesting a metaphor.
The signature Carhartt logo features prominently on each piece, whilst its gold colour is changed to blue. The press release meanwhile features an image of a biker cruising down a highway on a Harley Davidson, no more dirt tracks and garages for the workwear side of the partnership. Crucially, Adam Kimmel x Carhartt is truly representative of the style of clothing that Adam – as he openly states – wears each day. Perhaps, like the totem pole, Adam Kimmel goes back to basics…in his own way.