On May 2nd, 2019, Nordstrom Men’s store premiered a once in a lifetime shopping experience at it’s Columbus Circle location in New York City featuring iconic archival pieces from Helmut Lang and Raf Simons’ earliest and most coveted collections.
In collaboration with the Japanese publishing house “printings.jp“, Nordstrom Men’s store has created an in house pop-up of printings.jp‘s newest publication “1986 – 2005”. The two-volume set focuses on the oeuvre of fashion design legend Helmut Lang, pictorially dictating his obsession with the progressiveness of experimental fashion, youth culture, minimalism, androgyny, and moments of reactiveness to all the same.
This book and pop up follows a similar archival analysis by printings.jp entitled “1996 – 2001 / 2001 – 2006” detailing the work of Raf Simons’ eponymous menswear brand.
It is a rare opportunity indeed to find a Raf Simons’ FW05 “All Shadows and Deliverance” Fishtail Parka, and a Helmut Lang’s FW97 Bulletproof Vest in practically unworn condition; however, as prices for items such as Raf’s AW98 “Anarchy” split front tee reach approximately $6,000, affordability is not for all. Whether you are intending to purchase or not- the pop up is an inspiring look into the past and also a gentle reminder that every recognizable trend and modern reference today stems from a few distinctive eyes from the past.
The pop-up shop will remain open until May 30th at the following locations: Nordstrom Men’s New York City store, Nordstrom in downtown Seattle, Nordstrom at Pacific Centre in Vancouver, B.C. and at nordstrom.com
