Collab with street artist Katsu
Last week, Off-White founder Virgil Abloh announced the launch of “OFFKAT,” a multi-part project that consists of a womenswear and menswear collection in addition to a mobile game inspired by Katsu’s street art. Users can choose to play as Abloh or Katsu and must spray paint walls and buildings throughout “OFFKAT City” while evading law enforcement and security cameras.
The OffKat proposal includes street art-inspired pieces for both women’s and men’s casualwear and accessories, featuring prints with KATSU’s “skull moniker” in addition to the artist’s drone paintings. You can find gender-neutral elements such as printed flared pants, oversized cotton T-shirts, painted shorts, and blazers. This is not the first time Katsu joins forces with Virgil Abloh, as he has previously collaborated with Louis Vuitton.
Fall-Winter 2021 collection
Off-White presented its ready-to-wear fall 2021 collection “Laboratory of Fun” in Paris, marking the label’s first in-person runway show in 16 months. The event included a M.I.A performing a medley of her hits, and featured models like Amber Valletta, Honey Dijon and Alton Mason. Bella Hadid opened and closed the show, both times wearing dresses in a striking take on Yves Klein signature blue.
Abloh showed his upcoming line during Haute Couture Week in Paris, and the designer has admitted that the brand has matured. We can see how it’s shifting from its streetwear associations to get closer to the luxury segment.
The designer stated: “Off-White is aging. I was given the torch of youthful fashion, what’s happening in the next generation, and I think in the last year I’ve aged the fastest that I ever could have,” the 40-year-old designer explained.”
“It’s rebelling against the younger version of myself. This is the first time I’ve actually said that. Normally I say I’m trying to stay the younger version of myself. But in a weird ‘ta-dah’ way, it’s like: Off-White should be adult!”
You can watch the whole runway show here.
Nike x Off-White
The collaborations between Abloh and Nike have been incredibly fruitful since they first began in 2017. When Louis Vuitton debuted its Men’s Spring Summer 2022 collection in Paris, among the new items were an eye-catching range of Air Force 1 sneakers. But Virgil Abloh doesn’t seem to have enough of this partnership.
Back to Off-white, as if the 50 takes on the Dunk Low (with alternating material combinations of leather, suede and canvas) weren’t enough, yet another drop between the sports brand and Abloh’s designs comes along, with Off-White™ x Nike Air Zoom Tempo NEXT%. The sneaker will come in vibrant hues that also designate the three designs, “Scream Green”, “Pink Glow” and “White/Solar Red”. They showcase the Off-White signature Helvetica branding and the outsoles are propped with spikes. No official release date has been announced yet.
