Axel Arigato is pleased to announce its latest collection with world renowned, iconic American artist Kenny Scharf.
The 9-piece capsule collection brings together classic Axel Arigato footwear and ready to wear silhouettes with characteristic Kenny Scharf artwork; A unique and creative pairing of Scandinavian and American sensibilities.
The collection also comes at a time shortly after Axel Arigato opens its first store in New York at 273 Lafayette Street, and during a period where two major shows of Scharf’s open within the city.
Born in California in 1958, Kenny Scharf rose to fame in the 1980s New York art scene – working and socialising with the likes of Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. Inspired by the garish and geometric cartoon worlds of The Flinstones and The Jetsons, Scharf developed a distinctive painterly style, composed between the movements of pop, surrealism and street art.
Since them, his work has become synonymous and instantly recognisable by trademark colorful cartoonish faces, swirling shapes and cosmic/psychedelic iconography. New York, too, has become a city deeply entrenched within the Scharf aesthetic – as both inspiration and canvas during his meteoric rise. He is self-professed not as a graffiti nor street artist, but rather as anti-establishment, choosing the city’s exterior spaces to allow for immediate visual access and connection with the masses.
Snarling or smiling faces swirl and leer out from Scharf’s work. Bold, bursts of color that feel hallucinatory, at times unnerving – but also anchored in a child-like nostalgia rooted in comic book culture. Instantly recognisable and shown in galleries and exhibitions the world over, Scharf is truly one of America’s great contemporary artists.
For this collaboration, these animated faces and shapes twirl across clothing and sneakers. Hoodies and t-shirts are emblazoned with collegiate ‘Arigato’ font, animated with a unique hand-painted cartoon creature in classic Scharf style.
A black bomber jacket is embellished with a co-branded patchwork motif alongside a reimagined American flag where its stripes morph into wormlike figures. An accompanying jean is patchworked across indigo and black denim, distressed with frayed edges and Scharf artwork that peeps out from the seams.
Footwear comes in the form of two classic Axel Arigato Area silhouettes in white or grey, debossed with swirling white stitch work on their side panels. A 3-D, rubberised face peers out from the rear of the shoe, with additional American flag artwork on the tongue. Accessories include a co-branded baseball cap and pair of socks – with all items including a Kenny Scharf scribed signature for authenticity.
The collection will be brought to life online and in store with unique campaign visuals and events. “Wear your art every day”, says Kenny Scharf of the collection – an approach that the Axel Arigato team used as inspiration to create fun and whimsical visuals and props that play with proportion and scale.
A special in-store launch event series hosted in New York will also take place. ‘The Sounds of Kenny’ comprises a vinyl listening experience with local renowned DJs and a uniquely scaled sound-system. Prospective attendees are advised to follow Axel Arigato’s social channels to sign up.
Jens Werner, Creative Director, Axel Arigato “As we launch our first store in New York, working with legendary American artist Kenny Scharf feels symbiotic. We’re thrilled to be able to work with such incredible artwork – continuing our commitment to unique and interesting collaborations that bring together our passions of fashion, art and design”.
Axel Arigato x Kenny Scharf is available both online and in select Axel Arigato stores on Thursday, 17th October.
Axel Arigato
https://axelarigato.com | @axelarigato
Founded in Sweden in 2014, Axel Arigato is intrinsically grounded in culture, community, and craft. Driven by curiosity, the brand has consistently connected its approach to the rhythm of what is happening in the wider world, looking to an ever-evolving contemporary society for both purpose and inspiration. It presents diverse collections of elevated and wearable footwear and ready-towear, fusing together Scandinavian minimalism with unexpected, contemporary design. The brand has nine physical stores in five countries, as well as a network of over 250 wholesale partners and retail concessions. Axel Arigato is committed to fostering connections beyond the conventions of commerce. As such, its core mission remains true to this day: to build a positive platform through the power of community, inclusivity, and memorable experiences.
All images courtesy of Axel Arigato.
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