It's catch up. Most guys who like archival fashion didn't have a chance to/or funds to buy the pieces. Also it's as you said, the price point PLUS the history allows you to learn more about the pieces and the vision of the designer.
Uzi seems to take a very real interest in clothing. Dudes like 21 are smart people and like to look good, but generally don’t need to know the whole backstory. Uzi is a different story; dude is obsessed.
Majority of the people into archival fashion are probably in their 20-30s, I doubt they were following raf, jpg, etc in primary school. Nowadays all these guys care about is the rarity and cachet of owning the pieces which is very unfortunately since the pieces/shows are so much more than that.
There’s no pressure to keep up with what is trending. An archival piece can be worn for its inherent beauty, it’s affordability, it’s sentiment and so much more.
What i've never understood about archival fashion is the fact that it seems like everyone leans towards very specific brands when talking about archival pieces (Comme Des Garcons, Helmut Lang, Raf Simons, Rick Owens & JPG mainly) On the flip side, I’m a huge fan of Ann Demeulemeester so I’m into her Archive pieces because I just like her specific aesthetic and way of designing. I think there are people who are genuinely buying archive of designers they love and trying to live vicariously in a past time through clothing.
The Fashion Archive because they were the best to do it, they were among the first few designers to create a certain look in which we still follow today. People gravitate towards originality and they were the originals.
harrytibble oh yes you’re definitely right but it seems to be those specific brands in particular and almost comes across as gimmicky or people doing it because it’s the trendy thing now to have Archive pieces. For example, Ann Demeulemeester inspired Rick Owens work. He has said this himself in interviews. Yet people are highly interested in rick Owens archive but no one really cares about Ann Demeulemeester Archive. If it was really about who was the best to do it and who was the original surely there would be more people interested in Archive pieces from Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Hussein Chalayan etc.
My wife works in history and she hates it when people say “there’s so much history here”. She’ll be like “You know what’s crazy? History actually happened everywhere! All the time!” ➖ In the same way, it’s like “the late 80s/early 90s were actually FULL of clothes! Not just Raf, Rick, Helmut, and MMM”
Yea cause allot of people only know about archival fashion through the IG and RUclips pages that post it. They don’t try to find things that they themselves find interesting and well done, they’d rather be spoon fed the “cool” pieces
Bliss Foster of course there are many designers from that time who also pioneered something in their own way, it’s just interesting how much the top tier have stood the test of time and I think that surely shows their ideas, concepts and designs do hold great value not just monetarily.
at least some component of the why people like archive fashion is the same reason hypebeasts love supreme and off-white. it's the prestige and exclusivity which makes them feel special
Interestingly for me it has nothing to do with it, due to the nature of new collections having to be new, old pieces were only made during that season, so I have no way to get that super cool jacket for 4 years ago and the only way I can still get that piece that looks amazing is to buy it second hand
I buy and love archival fashion for a few reasons 1. Affordability 2. I generally prefer the feeling of broken in clothing 3. Buying second hand/vintage is better for our planet :) also collecting old pieces from favourite designers and shows is just fun
@elliotholden6842 archive is a stupid term made up to inflate prices for unwanted garbage. Prices are pretty low unless you're looking at the hyped up pieces
i was born early 00’s and just the fact the clothes are same age or older amazes me that the pieces are the still in amazing quality and look even better.
i think we’re all into archival fashion due to a mix of exclusivity, lower prices, and maybe even a sense of nostalgia. older music always has rose tinted glasses attached to it, and i think clothes are the same way.
i guess there's some of that for the riot riot riot bomber, the rick dunks and the cdg split logos but there's also a sense of superiority not because of the rarety but the «eleveted» sense of style associated these items
@@yoyo-zs5ye I agree, you'd probably find people go to archival fashion after finding themselves dissatisfied with their current wardrobe or the clothing that is on shelves, and they see archive as the next step forward in developing their style.
@@BlissFoster a fair portion of people just associate the term "archive" with 15,000 euro Raf bondage jacket with buckles from 1944, and the more elusive (shoutout yo yo) high profile pieces. How does one differentiate between vintage and archive idfk
i think it’s that a lot of the best designers “prime” was years ago. i was also born in 03 so it’s interesting to see the fashion climate of years before i was able to purchase designer clothes
@@hanoimenace 2 years late I know, but I believe he’s talking about when these items first release. Because fashion then is completely different than now. And the people that were buying raf Simmons back in the 90’s, 9 times out of 10 they probably weren’t wearing Jordan’s
I hav been thinking about this a little, in my opinion, the reason is because we are wanting what is real. The fact that the collections occurred in the past makes it appear as if it is real, it’s what was and is. In our society leaning towards constant entertainment, in this case fashion, we are looking for something more, something that hasn’t been tampered by modern corporations or outside influences which is similar to archival fashion. (this is pre-watching the full video)
Yea I agree with comments saying some people who like archival fashion are like hypebeasts in a sense. I've seen Instagram accounts where they 'exclusively' wear the most "hyped" archival garments and tbh at that point you're just wearing them for attention and prestige rather than an actual appreciation for the particular designer/season/time period.
Most Archive clothes are much more profound than newer stuff, it seems less commercial becides that especially the artisanal pieces are more interesting for example Martin margiela compared to nowadays margiela, they paid more attention to detail that’s what feels authentic and more of connects you with the designers idea imo
For me the hunt is almost the half of it, its like treasure hunting and I get to meet some pretty cool people along the way. But the items are also in line with what I can actually afford. Similarly it sort also feels like an investment because since I know that there is a market for these older clothes I can buy something and feel comfortable knowing that if my interests or taste change I can sell it and use the money to buy other things. At the same time I feel like it also makes me more reluctant to by newer clothes even if they are affordable because it is just new and there is worry that I'm going to be seen as just buying into the hype by other people. Edit: In that vain I also feel like it gives me or my style a bit more legitimacy as it is a way of posturing or presenting myself who is knowledgeable about "fashion" or "brands"
agree about the investment part; sometimes i'll buy stuff thinking "oh i could resell it for about this price, i'm basically not spending any money" but then lol maybe i'll just wear it until it breaks but then i guess it's worth it hm
Two reasons: the collection was good and it’s interesting looking at someone’s work from years ago an d look at their thought process, their influence and how they have changed
i like the direction that fashion was taking during those times and the introduction of many popular fabrics and trends we see today. also just love the thought of owning something so old and how the items journey.
Hi Bliss, for me it’s definitely the history about the item. Also the fact that it survived its “trendy” period and evolved into a timeless piece for me always creates more value for a design piece.
For designers with a cult following (Raf, Rick, Kawakubo, Helmut, Margiela, Yamamoto, Galliano, McQueen, et al) past season items are considered archival, whereas other brands old pieces are called off season. That’s because these brands have a strong ethos and a particular point of view and vision, whereas other brands produce stuff that’s disposable. Also the nostalgia of what the show in particular made us feel at the moment, it’s like a souvenir of that show in particular that’s a puzzle piece that forms part of its growth and narrative. And you can trace the brand’s history with it.
Hiya Bliss! I think part of people in general getting older clothes is that a lot of them might want to escape...like a lot of bad things are happening around the world and fashion can be a means of escape and a gateway step in entrenching yourself into another, happier time.
I don’t own any archival fashion but from my understanding there are two types of people that are into it. The first is the person that is into fashion and recently started to look back a couple years because they wanted to learn more. They stumbled upon that 90s, 2000s stuff and fell in love with the design and story behind it. The other type of person is the guy who saw it become popular on social media and just jumped on because it’s cool and rare. They have limited knowledge of what the clothes actually are but know that if they own it, other people that know about it will think they are in the loop. I feel like most people would be in the latter but their are definitely some people in between. Edit: just watched the last segment! Everything you said was so true! The fact that people are lost in the past of a designer completely blinds what the designer is doing now with all the resources they have now. Also you’re not even supporting the artist at that point because none of the money is going to their pockets but rather the pocket of someone that bought a piece off someone else who also bought that piece off someone else. If you have enough o drop on all this archival stuff, maybe try buying some of the new stuff too.
I love archive because many of these old pieces have such great designs that make them to look still very fashionable and trendy even in today's fashion world. Pieces were created ten years, twenty years+ ago but had designs that went beyond at that time were great archive pieces. I think it is worthy to buy those. But, I dont really understand how can some regular fitting graphic tees, hoodies, jumpers from some designer brands can be considered as archives. They are too basic and their designs are not that suprising.
1. I like to see how clothing was made before I got into fashion and how the brands' vision/style has changed over the years. 2. There is a certain cool feeling I get from looking at archival fashion. 3. Also archival fashion tends to be on the "cheaper" side which is great because I'm a student with not that much money to spend.
If you buy a archive piece of clothing, you can almost always sell it down the road for the same or more money. So you never lose money. It's the cheapest way possible to play around and own a lot of pieces and find what you love
This video is two years old, but I’ve been saving up since i originally watched it, and just bought my first brand new, from the company, Rick Owens boots. Feels good to finally support the designer instead of the resellers.
i like fashion because of the history and the context and meaning of all the clothes it’s not so much about the materialistic side of things i just genuinely love clothes and the way all clothes are made different and AHJH FASHIOK BEAUTIFUL
I think people like archival clothes because of the legacy and impact of some of 90s and 2000s collections (example: raf 98 black palms) and because there has been a huge surge of people who have gotten into “fashion” in the last decade and are on the hunt for anything that has hype around it
I think that earlier in most artists careers they have more creative ideas that they are just waiting to let explode and a lot of the times that direction can fade away in the pursuit of something more mainstream or more niche to the point that it doesn't resonate with the original audience anymore. In that sense, archival fashion is a means of holding onto that early era.
Partly because it can be cheaper so I can buy pieces from brands I like but also because I like looking at the history of the clothes, I almost prefer learning about cloves than wearing them
Because it gives us glimpses of an era gone by that we can restructure in our minds, analyze, re-organize, and re-contextualize and get new and exciting results. Review old ideas with modern tools are always exciting. PS: This is my favorite RUclips channel ever and I solemnly swear to watch every second of it because it's sooo goddamn interesting! Cheers from Costa Rica.
i think for me the life of the garment is really important. You can’t buy things new that have genuinely been lived in and that wisdom might just be found in a little thread or a spaghetti stain on a vintage t it’s just another thing that makes it unique not only to you but gives it a unique story. I really like stories
Extremely true. I bought a used Henrik Vibskov shirt once and didn’t notice until a week later that there was a faint lipstick kiss mark on the chest. I’ve thought about that little mark more than any other element of the shirt 😂
For me buying archival pieces is kind of like buying vintage clothes. unless the piece is rlly hyped, the pieces are usually quite rare and low key. having something almost no one has is always special.
(Your comment seems the most relatable for me so I'm adding on!) For me, if I get something that's 80's - 90's inspired it's also about how much cooler I'll feel. Like if someone told me I could wear something from a show like Bel-Air, I'd try to get it for its rarity, which would make me feel cooler. So, for me, sadly, it's really a lot of "keeping up with the joneses". Cause I would NOT wear the clothes year round...maybe we're also obsessed with the 'time capsule' effect it leaves us with as well?
and one of the reasons why i get archival clothes is because the quality is guaranteed to a certain level. if u buy normal vintage clothes online, sometimes the quality of the garments are way worse than u expected. But if i buy an old Yohji Yamamoto piece i know the quality wont be a problem
I think a huge reason I like archived clothes is because those pieces are like the building blocks to whats out now. And seeing how far a designer has come, like Raf was really on the oversized bombers way before other brands were pumping them out. Its a butterfly effect
I feel like it's a mix of a few things (like with any topic!): 1) Exclusivity- having what others don't and the fun in the hunt searching for rare pieces 2) Nostalgia- looking back at a time in fashion that you weren't around for, but curious about (for me the 90s as I was only a wee wee one then) 3) Pioneering Pieces- OG pieces that started the 'trend' ie bondage, mesh, runway minimalism etc. Also menswear seeping into womenswear and vice versa 3) Fashion history- learning about the designers vision and where they came from
I think it's a way to distinguish yourself from the current hypebeast culture as someone who's been into something like Supreme for years, you simply don't see older pieces being worn like that ; and because of this it's a way to show you're really about the culture while being able to show more personality and flair than buying something that just came out last week
It’s the idea of “people want what they can’t have” in addition of “people want what others can’t have/find” I completely agree with the ending statement of people neglecting the new stuff from designers. Sad but true.
I like archival clothing mainly because it sort of keeps the thrill of getting the "find." it's a lot more special to be searching for a certain piece and find it on some obscure Japanese auction house after 2 years than to just walk into a store and buy it.
To me it’s always been the ability to find prestigious designer pieces that are wearable and when being worn I don’t have to worry abt walking on eggshells
Not sure if it counts as archival, but I still have my mothers authentic 80's Looney Toon Warner Brothers denim bomber jacket. Still in near mint condition. I keep it around because to me its full of memories of her and my childhood. Like a modern version of a child's Woobie blanket. With the growing awareness of pollution, waste and overcrowding, I believe a lot are looking for nostalgia that comes heavy with rose tinted glasses, perks are added when to it knowing its not rotting in a dump heap somewhere. Maybe we are finally learning what it means to value the things we have, rather than the 80s mentality that more is better.
A lot of really cool and interesting points here.... I love archival anti-fashion like old Margiela and Ann D because of the context they were created in and what they represented. Wearing such a radical idea is just so neat to me! I would be very lucky and happy to get my hands on a piece from the Margiela fall 2000 collection someday!!
I think for some people it is about it being rare and therefore it is a different kind of hype, but the hype in a way can be hidden behind the guise of its quality. But for me personally and I think for many others we buy the clothing we like, and in my opinion the late 90s early 2000s era was a well-condensed era of creation, and though it could be said that one has a particular interest in archive clothing, it is more likely that one likes the clothing regardless of it being 'old' or labelled 'archive', and more that it just so happens to fall in that period of time. I personally don't have an agenda towards this era and I like more recent clothing too, but I think it is therefore similar to music. Music of course is different because it is not excludible and it is unlimited in quantity, but people (I'd hope) move towards music of the past and present not because of its allocation and placement in time, but simply because they enjoy it. For those who dress exclusively in archive, the story is very different....
Alternatively, the guise of an items quality simply for being associated with a designer can also lead to it be hyped. Exhibit A: Issey Miyake Sport bombers. Issey Sport was a 1980s women's sportswear brand with almost no connection to mainline Issey Miyake whatsoever. The garments were mass produced cheaply with the intent of being sold en masse to the greater public. A couple years ago a group of people bought up all of the Issey Sport bombers, jackets, etc. off Japanese secondhand websites and posted them on Grailed for insane markups, sometimes 4 figures more than what they paid for them (which would have been around $20-$50 an item). And people bought them up, and still do, simply because of the perceived association with Issey Miyake. They are the ultimate sucker item, only valuable because they are perceived as being valuable. To put it into perspective, if I were to buy up a bunch of Uniqlo U 20 years from now and sell it as "Archival Lemaire" for hundreds of dollars an item, that would be the equivalent of the Issey Sport market today.
@@sh0gun___ That's really interesting. I didn't know much about the Issey bomber's history. "They are the ultimate sucker item, only valuable because they are perceived as being valuable." is a great aphorism btw
there is a complexity on archival clothing, its design has past the test of time, durability shows that it will only decay more beautifully and history makes it alive. there is a feeling of hereditary times and a sensation on re writing that piece story.
I actually appreciate your refreshing view on new Raf and new rick. A lot of their new stuff gets a lot of hate. I’m actually not a fan of the new pieces that are being made by Raf but never thought beyond the scope of the designs. Fabrics and construction are what we as consumers use to justify price points and I agree that he uses some of the best rn. So good point! As for why. I think it’s because we’re chasing the designs and overall feel for the collections. Hedi slp, 2002 junya, Decarnin Balmain, Raf Jil sander etc
i think archival fashion(and the recent love for small businesses, handmade clothing etc.) is a response to modern day mass production? people want to buy things that are more personal and unique to showcase their individuality in the face of mass manufactured fashion that everyone buys from. it helps that buying secondhand or small is also mostly environmentally ethical and sustainable so it adds to the appeal. i think it’s the same with technology; many people are very quick to dismiss tech and idealise the past pastoral/rural life.
Sry for commenting so much but last thing, another benefit of buying archive/used clothing is it has no negative effect on the environment and is sustainable. My wardrobe is almost entirely used clothing and i am happy to say that my purchases have had no negative impact on the enviroment
I think it has to do with nostalgia and a hint of sustainability. It’s also really interesting to think that in most other art forms you can not own a tangible work from a legend without paying millions.
I agree with you about ignoring new work by brands and focusing on old pieces but in my opinion a lot of sick archive brands are pretty bad now such as helmut lang
I think it’s the whole idea that it’s a collectible. Also like the history behind the pieces and how iconic some of them are. If you’re seen out in public wearing some archival clothing, it’s a subtle flex.
i think it's the concept of timelessness that intrigues me most. it feels traditional, like a heritage brand (i still don't own any archive but have been interested by it for ages (i need that veronique branquinho aw04 goodness!!!)
@@BlissFoster no worries at all! your videos/advice have kept me informed but most importantly well grounded when it comes to style and purchasing clothes, as im in the uk grailed isn't too cheap but depop has some cdg steals so i think some purchases will be made soon!
From a sustainability perspective and the increasing popularity of this viewpoint perhaps a complete mixture of archival, brand new, etc is an ideal way to exist and appreciate creativity.
I do find that if I look at archive pieces, I only purchase something that really connects with me. I do love newer collections but sometimes it just doesn't connect with me personally. That's why for example rick owens I consistently love current collections because the story is in the world he's created.
we love archive fashion because its those are the pieces that got most of us into fashion but I feel like we all eventually start to appreciate the current stage of our favorite designers
I see archrival as like an era that I never experienced or got to enjoy at the moment, so I take those facets and meanings behind archival collections, and what they meant during their release, and reinterpret those same concepts and ideas to the present.
I love archival fashion because I enjoy researching into the deeper meanings and references behind the clothes, I love RAF Simons AW18 'Youth in Motion' because of the film reference behind it, it's one of my favourite films and I actually visited the train station which the film was set in before I knew about the film which was fascinating. Shows how clothes can bring you so much more than just a garment.
Just to add to some of the points you brought up, to me it’s super fascinating to own pieces with a history i guess. For example I’ve been obsessing over the German army trainers for the last couple of weeks after getting a used pair of the OG ones. Knowing how they got created by either adidas or puma in the 70s and through time subsequently ended up in a margiela show and inspiring a large amount of sneaker silhouettes just adds so much excitement to a piece that i can’t really replace with something new.
Back then Fashion wasnt so focused on the economy as it is today. They really had a thought process about what they are going to do or want to express. These days they focus on selling. Just embroidering their logo or brand name on a t shirt an sell it. Thats why i love ss 02 raf. There was soo much to encrypt and i think thats the best part about clothing and runways.
The main reason for me and some of my friends to buy archive clothing is affordability/resellability. We are broke university/highschool students, who can’t afford a big collection of designer clothes. The only way for us to afford them is to constantly buy and sell clothing. Archive clothes usually have a set price that doesn’t change that much through time. That way we can have an article of clothing in our closet for a year and then change it for another one without a loss and actually often with a profit. When you buy new, or even in sale, the item immediately loses on resell value. Therefore if I want to try something out, I have to take that into consideration. I’d only buy something new when I’m 100% I’ll keep the piece. There are many other reasons archive/2nd hand clothing is amazing, such as environmental friendliness, pricepoint, nostalgia, a sense of rarity or exclusiveness and the fact, that the garment has been tried and tested with time. But the most important reason for me is the financial aspect of it.
i have one 'archival' piece. a pair of HL painter denim got em like 3 years ago as i pretty much had only worn slim/skinny jeans for like 5 years before that. the paint itself is cool but honestly the wash/fit is what got me, they're beautiful. also i just kinda like wearing a something that's like 17 years old
I've watched movies I've seen before tons of times, I've eaten the same recipe again and again, and heard some albums in their entirety for hundreds of times. Other times you discover an old thing that everyone's known about that you've never heard of, and when you experience it, it's so perfect.
A bit over due but, I think real fashion people invest (more than just money) in archival pieces by they want to own a piece of heritage from the designer’s early work. E.g. I take pride of designer pieces I own before the designer became so famous. It’s more sentimental and connecting with the heritage of the brand than it is about discounted designer.
Its history materialized on my hands with a big chance of better quality and it may be something that its unique, that is not trending but it translates the real essence of my personal style
Your second point about archive clothing being 'tried and trued' is the one I agree with the most. Buying new designer and figuring out what works for you is definitely harder than building around pieces and silhouettes that have been around for more than a decade, so I think that's the appeal of archival as well; the ease. Archival fashion is also just à la mode right now, since the Grailed crowd has started getting extremely into it. I don't think it'll kill archival styles but there's no denying that it's partly a fad. This makes sense to me because 1. Supreme/VLONE/other streetwear is falling off to the Grailed crowd 2. Archival fashion still fits the 'exclusive' appeal through high price and low availability 3. Archival fashion has decades of styles to choose from to supplement or change up your style 4. Opportunities to show off knowledge/not look like a poser e.g. "Bro this Raf Simons t-shirt from 2004 is all about youth culture... Deep..." That last point can be both a negative and a really, really great positive, since someone wanting to better understand designer and fashion history beyond a surface/poser level is always great.
a few reasons i like archival: 1. i like clothes that look worn and have personality too them 2. i feel that each piece of clothing is a statement (with its own unique history) 3. i view them as art pieces more or less and like the feeling of building a collection 4. a lot more affordable than buying new shit lol
Ok, so you also mentioned Thrifting. Love Thrift Shops and finding an old designer piece to check the construction. I volunteered at an Op Shop for near on 4 years in my 20s...got some Designer Pieces that even had handsewing !!! Love to see that shit...knowing they found Hand Finishing a preferable option makes me feel happy and inspired, and genuinely "special" when I wore it even if I wasn't the first owner of the piece ♡
I feel its always important to know the history of things before going into the future. Not that I own any archival pieces but studying them is immensely interesting!
For me it’s the idea that I can find a piece that is not common so I feel more of an individual Also for me it’s to be able to have a piece made with a concept that the designer has not or will never revisit or reference again that I appreciated and or agree with
I started looking into archival stuff recently and is just simply fascinated to see the evolution of a designer. Also, it's kinda the only way to find pieces from designers who left the scene (i.e. Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela). I think anyone who has a high appreciation of fashion will eventually dabble into some archival fashion, especially with their favorite designers/brands.
You hit the nail on the head as usual. Main points for me in archival fashion are definitely the combination of. Price. Lower price point due to buying second hand. Accessibility. Now with Grailed and internet fashion communities it's much easier to buy archival fashion than it's ever been. Age. People now buying things from the 90s and 00s are those who now have the income to buy things they couldn't when growing up in that era. Approval. No one is buying shit archival fashion, because if it's still relevant it's time tested. In the same way no one listens to bad records from the 80s, but love 80s music.
And MAN was there some bad music in the 80s! Likewise, there were some fucking awful clothes in the 90s. But with a little editing, we can look back at both with fondness lmao
i like archival clothes because it is usually far more different from the regular line that has been kinda the same for the past 10/5y. It also makes me feel like i experienced somethimg that happened back then, something unique.
I feel like archival stuff has a lot of things you might’ve missed when it was first released, swept up in the excitement so it’s just overall nice looking back
It could be nostalgia, it could be history, it could be that (some of them) they're more affordable. It could also be some inkling of hype. Seeing peers rock those dope archival pieces, you kinda want to join in and become a stronger part of the community. There are definitely some pieces that I like now that I know I did not like a few years back.
Lots of brands and designers have succumbed to logomania and strayed away from their original intent ie Helmut Lang which is fine it’s 2019 but I think on the other side of 2019 a lot of people are looking for honest products that will always be relevant and always working in their wardrobe rather than something trendy and that is usually in archival clothing
i think that its simply personal preference. most fashion shows are different from eachother (shocker) even wit desingers like rick owens, who is famous for having very similar shows. so if you like a certain peice from raf simons riot riot riot show, and his virginia creeper show, but arent a fan of his black palms show you would more likely lean toward peices from the fromer two rather then the latter. i like some of rick owens archive peices, i also like what he is doing right now. everyone sees and likes desingers in different ways. some people want the beautiful couture dresses from balenciaga and some want the distressed denims and sweaters from the mens ready to wear collections. it just depends on the person. and there is, of course the person that only wears the new season stuff, and sells it when the next season comes out. (p.s. sorry about my terrible grammar bliss)
I don’t feel archival clothes are necessarily different or even better/worse than a current season. At some point they put just as much effort into the series etc and had a passion and a vision for it. It’s like collecting art. Each piece is a moment in their fashion timeline and I think it’s all interesting and worth while.
I love that this video places emphasis on supporting the recent collections of those designers now as well. Majority of people into "archival" fashion are mostly obsessed with finding the rarest, most coveted items they can get their hands on. There's a lot of status involved and it's very easily compared to hypebeast culture although nobody wants to admit it and people become defensive when the comparison is made. Yeah the clothes are better and the names on the tags are different but the mindset is the same. Not speaking generally of course, it differs from person to person and what drives them towards particular pieces or a particular style. It's just starting to feel more like a trend than genuine interest if that makes any sense.
I like to own pieces that have history behind them and are built with better materials and also buying old garments helps than buying new stuff form H&M that is fast fashion
It's catch up. Most guys who like archival fashion didn't have a chance to/or funds to buy the pieces. Also it's as you said, the price point PLUS the history allows you to learn more about the pieces and the vision of the designer.
Yo Reggie nice to see u here. Speaking of archival clothing have u been to the new Archive Store in Shibuya?
Doubt that Uzi and everyone else that the middleman sells to are reading up on JPG or Raf, which is a shame
Uzi seems to take a very real interest in clothing. Dudes like 21 are smart people and like to look good, but generally don’t need to know the whole backstory. Uzi is a different story; dude is obsessed.
I definitely agree with this notion.
Majority of the people into archival fashion are probably in their 20-30s, I doubt they were following raf, jpg, etc in primary school. Nowadays all these guys care about is the rarity and cachet of owning the pieces which is very unfortunately since the pieces/shows are so much more than that.
There’s no pressure to keep up with what is trending. An archival piece can be worn for its inherent beauty, it’s affordability, it’s sentiment and so much more.
What i've never understood about archival fashion is the fact that it seems like everyone leans towards very specific brands when talking about archival pieces (Comme Des Garcons, Helmut Lang, Raf Simons, Rick Owens & JPG mainly)
On the flip side, I’m a huge fan of Ann Demeulemeester so I’m into her Archive pieces because I just like her specific aesthetic and way of designing. I think there are people who are genuinely buying archive of designers they love and trying to live vicariously in a past time through clothing.
The Fashion Archive because they were the best to do it, they were among the first few designers to create a certain look in which we still follow today. People gravitate towards originality and they were the originals.
harrytibble oh yes you’re definitely right but it seems to be those specific brands in particular and almost comes across as gimmicky or people doing it because it’s the trendy thing now to have Archive pieces.
For example, Ann Demeulemeester inspired Rick Owens work. He has said this himself in interviews. Yet people are highly interested in rick Owens archive but no one really cares about Ann Demeulemeester Archive. If it was really about who was the best to do it and who was the original surely there would be more people interested in Archive pieces from Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Hussein Chalayan etc.
My wife works in history and she hates it when people say “there’s so much history here”. She’ll be like “You know what’s crazy? History actually happened everywhere! All the time!”
➖
In the same way, it’s like “the late 80s/early 90s were actually FULL of clothes! Not just Raf, Rick, Helmut, and MMM”
Yea cause allot of people only know about archival fashion through the IG and RUclips pages that post it. They don’t try to find things that they themselves find interesting and well done, they’d rather be spoon fed the “cool” pieces
Bliss Foster of course there are many designers from that time who also pioneered something in their own way, it’s just interesting how much the top tier have stood the test of time and I think that surely shows their ideas, concepts and designs do hold great value not just monetarily.
at least some component of the why people like archive fashion is the same reason hypebeasts love supreme and off-white. it's the prestige and exclusivity which makes them feel special
Alex Jefferies I definitely agree with this sentiment
this ^^
Yep
Interestingly for me it has nothing to do with it, due to the nature of new collections having to be new, old pieces were only made during that season, so I have no way to get that super cool jacket for 4 years ago and the only way I can still get that piece that looks amazing is to buy it second hand
period.
I buy and love archival fashion for a few reasons
1. Affordability
2. I generally prefer the feeling of broken in clothing
3. Buying second hand/vintage is better for our planet :)
also collecting old pieces from favourite designers and shows is just fun
archive ≠ vintage
@elliotholden6842 archive is a stupid term made up to inflate prices for unwanted garbage. Prices are pretty low unless you're looking at the hyped up pieces
i was born early 00’s and just the fact the clothes are same age or older amazes me that the pieces are the still in amazing quality and look even better.
Yeah!! A lot of clothes are built to last way longer than we give them credit for
i think we’re all into archival fashion due to a mix of exclusivity, lower prices, and maybe even a sense of nostalgia. older music always has rose tinted glasses attached to it, and i think clothes are the same way.
I think that to most its just exclusivity and rarity of said item
i guess there's some of that for the riot riot riot bomber, the rick dunks and the cdg split logos but there's also a sense of superiority not because of the rarety but the «eleveted» sense of style associated these items
@@yoyo-zs5ye I agree, you'd probably find people go to archival fashion after finding themselves dissatisfied with their current wardrobe or the clothing that is on shelves, and they see archive as the next step forward in developing their style.
Blake but not all archival stuff is rare? There’s tons of old Raf available for $70 per item
@@BlissFoster a fair portion of people just associate the term "archive" with 15,000 euro Raf bondage jacket with buckles from 1944, and the more elusive (shoutout yo yo) high profile pieces. How does one differentiate between vintage and archive idfk
High fashion hypebeasts
i think it’s that a lot of the best designers “prime” was years ago. i was also born in 03 so it’s interesting to see the fashion climate of years before i was able to purchase designer clothes
Tomaz Konja yesh! It’s like a strange nastalgia feeling for sure
I’ve always wondered how the people who first bought these 90’s Raf, CDG, Yoji etc peces worked them into their wardrobe and style
I feel like they just wear what make them feel most comfortable in, some people wear them with Air Jordans, or some Geobaskets.
@@hanoimenace 2 years late I know, but I believe he’s talking about when these items first release. Because fashion then is completely different than now. And the people that were buying raf Simmons back in the 90’s, 9 times out of 10 they probably weren’t wearing Jordan’s
I hav been thinking about this a little, in my opinion, the reason is because we are wanting what is real. The fact that the collections occurred in the past makes it appear as if it is real, it’s what was and is. In our society leaning towards constant entertainment, in this case fashion, we are looking for something more, something that hasn’t been tampered by modern corporations or outside influences which is similar to archival fashion. (this is pre-watching the full video)
Yea I agree with comments saying some people who like archival fashion are like hypebeasts in a sense. I've seen Instagram accounts where they 'exclusively' wear the most "hyped" archival garments and tbh at that point you're just wearing them for attention and prestige rather than an actual appreciation for the particular designer/season/time period.
100% agree
Most Archive clothes are much more profound than newer stuff, it seems less commercial becides that especially the artisanal pieces are more interesting for example Martin margiela compared to nowadays margiela, they paid more attention to detail that’s what feels authentic and more of connects you with the designers idea imo
Dennis Schikora I agree
For me the hunt is almost the half of it, its like treasure hunting and I get to meet some pretty cool people along the way. But the items are also in line with what I can actually afford.
Similarly it sort also feels like an investment because
since I know that there is a market for these older clothes I can buy something and feel comfortable knowing that if my interests or taste change I can sell it and use the money to buy other things.
At the same time I feel like it also makes me more reluctant to by newer clothes even if they are affordable because it is just new and there is worry that I'm going to be seen as just buying into the hype by other people.
Edit:
In that vain I also feel like it gives me or my style a bit more legitimacy as it is a way of posturing or presenting myself who is knowledgeable about "fashion" or "brands"
agree about the investment part; sometimes i'll buy stuff thinking "oh i could resell it for about this price, i'm basically not spending any money"
but then lol maybe i'll just wear it until it breaks
but then i guess it's worth it
hm
Two reasons: the collection was good and it’s interesting looking at someone’s work from years ago an d look at their thought process, their influence and how they have changed
i like the direction that fashion was taking during those times and the introduction of many popular fabrics and trends we see today. also just love the thought of owning something so old and how the items journey.
Hi Bliss, for me it’s definitely the history about the item. Also the fact that it survived its
“trendy” period and evolved into a timeless piece for me always creates more value for a design piece.
Definitely nostalgia. I only shop secondhand and I like clothes being worn in and washed already, gives me the feeling it's alive.
For designers with a cult following (Raf, Rick, Kawakubo, Helmut, Margiela, Yamamoto, Galliano, McQueen, et al) past season items are considered archival, whereas other brands old pieces are called off season. That’s because these brands have a strong ethos and a particular point of view and vision, whereas other brands produce stuff that’s disposable. Also the nostalgia of what the show in particular made us feel at the moment, it’s like a souvenir of that show in particular that’s a puzzle piece that forms part of its growth and narrative. And you can trace the brand’s history with it.
Hiya Bliss! I think part of people in general getting older clothes is that a lot of them might want to escape...like a lot of bad things are happening around the world and fashion can be a means of escape and a gateway step in entrenching yourself into another, happier time.
Revival of old ideas, and respect for the designers whole body of work not just their most current looks
I don’t own any archival fashion but from my understanding there are two types of people that are into it. The first is the person that is into fashion and recently started to look back a couple years because they wanted to learn more. They stumbled upon that 90s, 2000s stuff and fell in love with the design and story behind it. The other type of person is the guy who saw it become popular on social media and just jumped on because it’s cool and rare. They have limited knowledge of what the clothes actually are but know that if they own it, other people that know about it will think they are in the loop. I feel like most people would be in the latter but their are definitely some people in between.
Edit: just watched the last segment! Everything you said was so true! The fact that people are lost in the past of a designer completely blinds what the designer is doing now with all the resources they have now. Also you’re not even supporting the artist at that point because none of the money is going to their pockets but rather the pocket of someone that bought a piece off someone else who also bought that piece off someone else. If you have enough o drop on all this archival stuff, maybe try buying some of the new stuff too.
I agree with the 2 people theory, being the latter
I love archive because many of these old pieces have such great designs that make them to look still very fashionable and trendy even in today's fashion world. Pieces were created ten years, twenty years+ ago but had designs that went beyond at that time were great archive pieces. I think it is worthy to buy those. But, I dont really understand how can some regular fitting graphic tees, hoodies, jumpers from some designer brands can be considered as archives. They are too basic and their designs are not that suprising.
1. I like to see how clothing was made before I got into fashion and how the brands' vision/style has changed over the years.
2. There is a certain cool feeling I get from looking at archival fashion.
3. Also archival fashion tends to be on the "cheaper" side which is great because I'm a student with not that much money to spend.
If you buy a archive piece of clothing, you can almost always sell it down the road for the same or more money. So you never lose money. It's the cheapest way possible to play around and own a lot of pieces and find what you love
This video is two years old, but I’ve been saving up since i originally watched it, and just bought my first brand new, from the company, Rick Owens boots.
Feels good to finally support the designer instead of the resellers.
Congrats homie 😌
i like fashion because of the history and the context and meaning of all the clothes it’s not so much about the materialistic side of things i just genuinely love clothes and the way all clothes are made different and AHJH FASHIOK BEAUTIFUL
I think people like archival clothes because of the legacy and impact of some of 90s and 2000s collections (example: raf 98 black palms) and because there has been a huge surge of people who have gotten into “fashion” in the last decade and are on the hunt for anything that has hype around it
I think that earlier in most artists careers they have more creative ideas that they are just waiting to let explode and a lot of the times that direction can fade away in the pursuit of something more mainstream or more niche to the point that it doesn't resonate with the original audience anymore. In that sense, archival fashion is a means of holding onto that early era.
“They still love them some spring/summer 2002 Raf”🤣😂🤣
Partly because it can be cheaper so I can buy pieces from brands I like but also because I like looking at the history of the clothes, I almost prefer learning about cloves than wearing them
Because it gives us glimpses of an era gone by that we can restructure in our minds, analyze, re-organize, and re-contextualize and get new and exciting results. Review old ideas with modern tools are always exciting.
PS: This is my favorite RUclips channel ever and I solemnly swear to watch every second of it because it's sooo goddamn interesting! Cheers from Costa Rica.
leaving my comment: Excited to learn more about archival fashion. You really know so much and put me on to so many different designers
i think for me the life of the garment is really important. You can’t buy things new that have genuinely been lived in and that wisdom might just be found in a little thread or a spaghetti stain on a vintage t it’s just another thing that makes it unique not only to you but gives it a unique story. I really like stories
Extremely true. I bought a used Henrik Vibskov shirt once and didn’t notice until a week later that there was a faint lipstick kiss mark on the chest. I’ve thought about that little mark more than any other element of the shirt 😂
For me buying archival pieces is kind of like buying vintage clothes. unless the piece is rlly hyped, the pieces are usually quite rare and low key. having something almost no one has is always special.
(Your comment seems the most relatable for me so I'm adding on!) For me, if I get something that's 80's - 90's inspired it's also about how much cooler I'll feel. Like if someone told me I could wear something from a show like Bel-Air, I'd try to get it for its rarity, which would make me feel cooler. So, for me, sadly, it's really a lot of "keeping up with the joneses". Cause I would NOT wear the clothes year round...maybe we're also obsessed with the 'time capsule' effect it leaves us with as well?
@@canoncrockpot2687 being attracted to old things including clothes is definitely a major reason why people like us buy archival clothes
and one of the reasons why i get archival clothes is because the quality is guaranteed to a certain level. if u buy normal vintage clothes online, sometimes the quality of the garments are way worse than u expected. But if i buy an old Yohji Yamamoto piece i know the quality wont be a problem
@@canoncrockpot2687 yesss Fresh prince of Bel Air outfits are so unique, i did get some similar pieces through the years at the thrift just love them
I think a huge reason I like archived clothes is because those pieces are like the building blocks to whats out now. And seeing how far a designer has come, like Raf was really on the oversized bombers way before other brands were pumping them out. Its a butterfly effect
I feel like it's a mix of a few things (like with any topic!):
1) Exclusivity- having what others don't and the fun in the hunt searching for rare pieces
2) Nostalgia- looking back at a time in fashion that you weren't around for, but curious about (for me the 90s as I was only a wee wee one then)
3) Pioneering Pieces- OG pieces that started the 'trend' ie bondage, mesh, runway minimalism etc. Also menswear seeping into womenswear and vice versa
3) Fashion history- learning about the designers vision and where they came from
I think it's a way to distinguish yourself from the current hypebeast culture as someone who's been into something like Supreme for years, you simply don't see older pieces being worn like that ; and because of this it's a way to show you're really about the culture while being able to show more personality and flair than buying something that just came out last week
It’s the idea of “people want what they can’t have” in addition of “people want what others can’t have/find” I completely agree with the ending statement of people neglecting the new stuff from designers. Sad but true.
I like archival clothing mainly because it sort of keeps the thrill of getting the "find." it's a lot more special to be searching for a certain piece and find it on some obscure Japanese auction house after 2 years than to just walk into a store and buy it.
Axel Keppler very true. It builds a strong connection with you immediately
To me it’s always been the ability to find prestigious designer pieces that are wearable and when being worn I don’t have to worry abt walking on eggshells
Definitely. There’s definitely a balance to be struck there.
Not sure if it counts as archival, but I still have my mothers authentic 80's Looney Toon Warner Brothers denim bomber jacket. Still in near mint condition.
I keep it around because to me its full of memories of her and my childhood. Like a modern version of a child's Woobie blanket.
With the growing awareness of pollution, waste and overcrowding, I believe a lot are looking for nostalgia that comes heavy with rose tinted glasses, perks are added when to it knowing its not rotting in a dump heap somewhere.
Maybe we are finally learning what it means to value the things we have, rather than the 80s mentality that more is better.
A lot of really cool and interesting points here.... I love archival anti-fashion like old Margiela and Ann D because of the context they were created in and what they represented. Wearing such a radical idea is just so neat to me! I would be very lucky and happy to get my hands on a piece from the Margiela fall 2000 collection someday!!
I think for some people it is about it being rare and therefore it is a different kind of hype, but the hype in a way can be hidden behind the guise of its quality. But for me personally and I think for many others we buy the clothing we like, and in my opinion the late 90s early 2000s era was a well-condensed era of creation, and though it could be said that one has a particular interest in archive clothing, it is more likely that one likes the clothing regardless of it being 'old' or labelled 'archive', and more that it just so happens to fall in that period of time. I personally don't have an agenda towards this era and I like more recent clothing too, but I think it is therefore similar to music. Music of course is different because it is not excludible and it is unlimited in quantity, but people (I'd hope) move towards music of the past and present not because of its allocation and placement in time, but simply because they enjoy it.
For those who dress exclusively in archive, the story is very different....
Alternatively, the guise of an items quality simply for being associated with a designer can also lead to it be hyped. Exhibit A: Issey Miyake Sport bombers. Issey Sport was a 1980s women's sportswear brand with almost no connection to mainline Issey Miyake whatsoever. The garments were mass produced cheaply with the intent of being sold en masse to the greater public. A couple years ago a group of people bought up all of the Issey Sport bombers, jackets, etc. off Japanese secondhand websites and posted them on Grailed for insane markups, sometimes 4 figures more than what they paid for them (which would have been around $20-$50 an item). And people bought them up, and still do, simply because of the perceived association with Issey Miyake. They are the ultimate sucker item, only valuable because they are perceived as being valuable. To put it into perspective, if I were to buy up a bunch of Uniqlo U 20 years from now and sell it as "Archival Lemaire" for hundreds of dollars an item, that would be the equivalent of the Issey Sport market today.
@@sh0gun___ That's really interesting. I didn't know much about the Issey bomber's history. "They are the ultimate sucker item, only valuable because they are perceived as being valuable." is a great aphorism btw
there is a complexity on archival clothing, its design has past the test of time, durability shows that it will only decay more beautifully and history makes it alive. there is a feeling of hereditary times and a sensation on re writing that piece story.
I actually appreciate your refreshing view on new Raf and new rick. A lot of their new stuff gets a lot of hate. I’m actually not a fan of the new pieces that are being made by Raf but never thought beyond the scope of the designs. Fabrics and construction are what we as consumers use to justify price points and I agree that he uses some of the best rn. So good point! As for why. I think it’s because we’re chasing the designs and overall feel for the collections. Hedi slp, 2002 junya, Decarnin Balmain, Raf Jil sander etc
Ryan XIAO some great points
i think archival fashion(and the recent love for small businesses, handmade clothing etc.) is a response to modern day mass production? people want to buy things that are more personal and unique to showcase their individuality in the face of mass manufactured fashion that everyone buys from. it helps that buying secondhand or small is also mostly environmentally ethical and sustainable so it adds to the appeal. i think it’s the same with technology; many people are very quick to dismiss tech and idealise the past pastoral/rural life.
Sry for commenting so much but last thing, another benefit of buying archive/used clothing is it has no negative effect on the environment and is sustainable. My wardrobe is almost entirely used clothing and i am happy to say that my purchases have had no negative impact on the enviroment
Im here 3 years later and this is more accurate than ever
I think it has to do with nostalgia and a hint of sustainability. It’s also really interesting to think that in most other art forms you can not own a tangible work from a legend without paying millions.
I agree with you about ignoring new work by brands and focusing on old pieces but in my opinion a lot of sick archive brands are pretty bad now such as helmut lang
I think it’s the whole idea that it’s a collectible. Also like the history behind the pieces and how iconic some of them are. If you’re seen out in public wearing some archival clothing, it’s a subtle flex.
For me I don’t really think about archive, I more just go for what I like, whether or not it’s recent.
i think it's the concept of timelessness that intrigues me most. it feels traditional, like a heritage brand (i still don't own any archive but have been interested by it for ages (i need that veronique branquinho aw04 goodness!!!)
Great thoughts! And I haven’t even heard of Veronique!! I’ll have to check them out! Thanks for putting us on!!
@@BlissFoster no worries at all! your videos/advice have kept me informed but most importantly well grounded when it comes to style and purchasing clothes, as im in the uk grailed isn't too cheap but depop has some cdg steals so i think some purchases will be made soon!
From a sustainability perspective and the increasing popularity of this viewpoint perhaps a complete mixture of archival, brand new, etc is an ideal way to exist and appreciate creativity.
I do find that if I look at archive pieces, I only purchase something that really connects with me. I do love newer collections but sometimes it just doesn't connect with me personally. That's why for example rick owens I consistently love current collections because the story is in the world he's created.
Archival fashion creates an interesting discourse and that’s why I like it
Hell yea
we love archive fashion because its those are the pieces that got most of us into fashion but I feel like we all eventually start to appreciate the current stage of our favorite designers
I see archrival as like an era that I never experienced or got to enjoy at the moment, so I take those facets and meanings behind archival collections, and what they meant during their release, and reinterpret those same concepts and ideas to the present.
Love seeing a brands last and figuring out some of their key values that stand up over time
I love archival fashion because
I enjoy researching into the deeper meanings and references behind the clothes, I love RAF Simons AW18 'Youth in Motion' because of the film reference behind it, it's one of my favourite films and I actually visited the train station which the film was set in before I knew about the film which was fascinating. Shows how clothes can bring you so much more than just a garment.
I love how you're always tactful and only analytical instead of being just critical and hating on stuff. The reason why I love your content so much 🙌
for me personally it's as if it puts me back in time and let's me kind of experience that moment of time.
I feel like most of the best pieces from a given era generally rise to the top and it is always interesting to witness the best a decade has to offer.
just to play devil's advocate, certain brands like Bape change after designer Nigo left, so a brand isn't necessarily a constant thing either.
Watching these videos & learning how to build a brand >>>>
Can’t wait to see what you create 🦾
i feel it gives me a sense being part of the history of fashion.
very cool to see how far those brands have came
Just to add to some of the points you brought up, to me it’s super fascinating to own pieces with a history i guess. For example I’ve been obsessing over the German army trainers for the last couple of weeks after getting a used pair of the OG ones. Knowing how they got created by either adidas or puma in the 70s and through time subsequently ended up in a margiela show and inspiring a large amount of sneaker silhouettes just adds so much excitement to a piece that i can’t really replace with something new.
Great point!
Back then Fashion wasnt so focused on the economy as it is today. They really had a thought process about what they are going to do or want to express. These days they focus on selling. Just embroidering their logo or brand name on a t shirt an sell it. Thats why i love ss 02 raf. There was soo much to encrypt and i think thats the best part about clothing and runways.
The main reason for me and some of my friends to buy archive clothing is affordability/resellability.
We are broke university/highschool students, who can’t afford a big collection of designer clothes. The only way for us to afford them is to constantly buy and sell clothing. Archive clothes usually have a set price that doesn’t change that much through time. That way we can have an article of clothing in our closet for a year and then change it for another one without a loss and actually often with a profit.
When you buy new, or even in sale, the item immediately loses on resell value. Therefore if I want to try something out, I have to take that into consideration. I’d only buy something new when I’m 100% I’ll keep the piece.
There are many other reasons archive/2nd hand clothing is amazing, such as environmental friendliness, pricepoint, nostalgia, a sense of rarity or exclusiveness and the fact, that the garment has been tried and tested with time. But the most important reason for me is the financial aspect of it.
Thanks so much for the insight! This is a great way to articulate this
i have one 'archival' piece. a pair of HL painter denim
got em like 3 years ago as i pretty much had only worn slim/skinny jeans for like 5 years before that.
the paint itself is cool but honestly the wash/fit is what got me, they're beautiful.
also i just kinda like wearing a something that's like 17 years old
FCL M hell yeah! That’s an awesome find! Where did you come across them?
@@BlissFoster thanks man. @endyma posted them up on insta and said they were for sale and i just went for it straight away!
I've watched movies I've seen before tons of times, I've eaten the same recipe again and again, and heard some albums in their entirety for hundreds of times. Other times you discover an old thing that everyone's known about that you've never heard of, and when you experience it, it's so perfect.
Because you could choose any piece from any era
A bit over due but, I think real fashion people invest (more than just money) in archival pieces by they want to own a piece of heritage from the designer’s early work. E.g. I take pride of designer pieces I own before the designer became so famous. It’s more sentimental and connecting with the heritage of the brand than it is about discounted designer.
Its history materialized on my hands with a big chance of better quality and it may be something that its unique, that is not trending but it translates the real essence of my personal style
Your second point about archive clothing being 'tried and trued' is the one I agree with the most. Buying new designer and figuring out what works for you is definitely harder than building around pieces and silhouettes that have been around for more than a decade, so I think that's the appeal of archival as well; the ease.
Archival fashion is also just à la mode right now, since the Grailed crowd has started getting extremely into it. I don't think it'll kill archival styles but there's no denying that it's partly a fad. This makes sense to me because 1. Supreme/VLONE/other streetwear is falling off to the Grailed crowd 2. Archival fashion still fits the 'exclusive' appeal through high price and low availability 3. Archival fashion has decades of styles to choose from to supplement or change up your style 4. Opportunities to show off knowledge/not look like a poser e.g. "Bro this Raf Simons t-shirt from 2004 is all about youth culture... Deep..."
That last point can be both a negative and a really, really great positive, since someone wanting to better understand designer and fashion history beyond a surface/poser level is always great.
Great points! I love your work, Rei ;)
“Did you leave a comment?” “Yes Dora!”
a few reasons i like archival:
1. i like clothes that look worn and have personality too them
2. i feel that each piece of clothing is a statement (with its own unique history)
3. i view them as art pieces more or less and like the feeling of building a collection
4. a lot more affordable than buying new shit lol
Great points
Ok, so you also mentioned Thrifting. Love Thrift Shops and finding an old designer piece to check the construction. I volunteered at an Op Shop for near on 4 years in my 20s...got some Designer Pieces that even had handsewing !!! Love to see that shit...knowing they found Hand Finishing a preferable option makes me feel happy and inspired, and genuinely "special" when I wore it even if I wasn't the first owner of the piece ♡
I feel its always important to know the history of things before going into the future. Not that I own any archival pieces but studying them is immensely interesting!
I'm not sure what archival clothing is yet, but I want to learn :D I hope the rest of the video explains!
i dont wanna wait just say why we love archival fashion
Wat?
For me it’s the idea that I can find a piece that is not common so I feel more of an individual
Also for me it’s to be able to have a piece made with a concept that the designer has not or will never revisit or reference again that I appreciated and or agree with
This is a great one, thanks so much for sharing, Greg 💫💫
I started looking into archival stuff recently and is just simply fascinated to see the evolution of a designer. Also, it's kinda the only way to find pieces from designers who left the scene (i.e. Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela). I think anyone who has a high appreciation of fashion will eventually dabble into some archival fashion, especially with their favorite designers/brands.
Definitely. For those passionate about this stuff, it seems like an inevitability
You hit the nail on the head as usual. Main points for me in archival fashion are definitely the combination of.
Price. Lower price point due to buying second hand.
Accessibility. Now with Grailed and internet fashion communities it's much easier to buy archival fashion than it's ever been.
Age. People now buying things from the 90s and 00s are those who now have the income to buy things they couldn't when growing up in that era.
Approval. No one is buying shit archival fashion, because if it's still relevant it's time tested. In the same way no one listens to bad records from the 80s, but love 80s music.
And MAN was there some bad music in the 80s! Likewise, there were some fucking awful clothes in the 90s. But with a little editing, we can look back at both with fondness lmao
no one else will have it and its nostalgic
i like archival clothes because it is usually far more different from the regular line that has been kinda the same for the past 10/5y. It also makes me feel like i experienced somethimg that happened back then, something unique.
I feel like archival stuff has a lot of things you might’ve missed when it was first released, swept up in the excitement so it’s just overall nice looking back
It could be nostalgia, it could be history, it could be that (some of them) they're more affordable. It could also be some inkling of hype. Seeing peers rock those dope archival pieces, you kinda want to join in and become a stronger part of the community. There are definitely some pieces that I like now that I know I did not like a few years back.
Lots of brands and designers have succumbed to logomania and strayed away from their original intent ie Helmut Lang which is fine it’s 2019 but I think on the other side of 2019 a lot of people are looking for honest products that will always be relevant and always working in their wardrobe rather than something trendy and that is usually in archival clothing
i sat in the silence so i am commenting. i like archive because it makes me think i found something for me
i think that its simply personal preference. most fashion shows are different from eachother (shocker) even wit desingers like rick owens, who is famous for having very similar shows. so if you like a certain peice from raf simons riot riot riot show, and his virginia creeper show, but arent a fan of his black palms show you would more likely lean toward peices from the fromer two rather then the latter. i like some of rick owens archive peices, i also like what he is doing right now. everyone sees and likes desingers in different ways. some people want the beautiful couture dresses from balenciaga and some want the distressed denims and sweaters from the mens ready to wear collections. it just depends on the person. and there is, of course the person that only wears the new season stuff, and sells it when the next season comes out.
(p.s. sorry about my terrible grammar bliss)
I don’t feel archival clothes are necessarily different or even better/worse than a current season. At some point they put just as much effort into the series etc and had a passion and a vision for it.
It’s like collecting art. Each piece is a moment in their fashion timeline and I think it’s all interesting and worth while.
90s hiphop and rock was amazing
My comment is that I wonder how you could possibly not be matching key lime La croix with the gummy bears 😂
lol the fact that bliss is still liking & responding to comments
im just getting into fashion
there will never be another Julius 2008-2015 era
I love that this video places emphasis on supporting the recent collections of those designers now as well. Majority of people into "archival" fashion are mostly obsessed with finding the rarest, most coveted items they can get their hands on. There's a lot of status involved and it's very easily compared to hypebeast culture although nobody wants to admit it and people become defensive when the comparison is made. Yeah the clothes are better and the names on the tags are different but the mindset is the same. Not speaking generally of course, it differs from person to person and what drives them towards particular pieces or a particular style. It's just starting to feel more like a trend than genuine interest if that makes any sense.
I like to own pieces that have history behind them and are built with better materials and also buying old garments helps than buying new stuff form H&M that is fast fashion