Titled "The Energy and Freedom of Youth", the new collaborative collection by Fred Perry and Raf Simons includes images capturing London's nightlife in the early 80s
For this collaboration, Raf Simons reinterprets classic Fred Perry pieces infused with the sensibilities of his eponymous lines and decorated them with images capturing London's nightlife in the early 80s.
Taking inspiration from the subculture and energy of youth, Simons brings his distinctive design approach to Fred Perry's archive styles and finds a match for his ethos of proud individuality.
"A polo shirt is a polo shirt, but the Fred Perry polo shirt always brings a vibe of youth subculture," he says.
The images Simons added to the collaborative pieces are from ardent gig-goer, Brian Flynn, who documented his nights out with friends at the 100 Club, Oxford Street with his pocket-sized Kodak Extralight camera between April 1982 to 1983 where he attended live music events 45 times.
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"I'd just left school and was training to be a builder. It was the first time I was earning money and I bought a camera to capture my nights out with friends. I’d put my film in to be processed before work at 8 am and pick it up after work at 5 pm, selecting the best ones for a photo album I still treasure today," says Flynn.
Simons brought the images to life by printing them onto the patches with raw edges. They are sewen on with a DIY aesthetic, the way a fan might customise a T-shirt before heading out for a gig.
The key piece in the collection is the overcoat which made from 100 per cent impermeable cotton in ice white. It features printed patches, a punk badge and a Raf Simons graphic signature.
Each garment is an expression of personal identity, designed to be worn oversized and layered.
The Fred Perry x Raf Simons Collaboration is available at the Harbour City and Hysan Avenue I.T. stores on May 13.
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