JW Anderson has released their latest capsule collection, created in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Michael Clark. The capsule, first presented as part of the collection presented at the brand’s Women’s Autumn Winter 2023 show, is now available for purchase online and in-store.
The collaboration was first teased with the show’s invitation – a paper bag, printed with a poster designed by Peter Saville in 1998 that Clark had once displayed outside the Roundhouse for his performance, ‘current/SEE’. To mark JW Anderson’s 15th Anniversary in February 2023, the brand presented the collection during London Fashion Week at the iconic venue The Roundhouse, a location which is of great significance to Clark’s career.
Inspired by this, selected Michael Clark imagery was featured on large signage mounted to the exterior of the venue. Within the show space inside, three large plinths also stood in the centre of the runway featuring the same iconography from the Michael Clark archive.
The collaborative design process for the collection saw Michael Clark grant the brand access to his extensive archive, whilst the brand looked back into their own as well. The result is a mix of the two retrospective visions, redone and reseen in an act of reducing, compressing, condensing.
The capsule’s commercial selection includes typographic and bold imagery from Michael Clark’s archive translated onto pieces of ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories. T-shirts, vests, knits and sweatshirts are emblazoned with the signature fluorescent green Michael Clark logo. Further, the same imagery featured at the show venue are printed across T-shirts and shirts. The slogans featured within the show collection - ‘Witch?’ , ‘Sham Man’, and ‘The Dentist’ are translated onto T-shirts, Sweatshirts, and caps. Lastly, a cotton-backed paper version of the show’s original invitation is transformed into a functional clutch bag.
