Tag: Undercoverism

Undercover SS16 Collection

June 28, 2015 by rocky

Undercover is coming up on it’s 25 anniversary in 2016. To mark the occasion the spring/summer 2016 Undercoverism collection entitled ‘The Greatest’ draws inspiration from past UC collections. Many of the pieces re-interpret the themes of classic collections like ‘But Beautiful’, ‘SCAB’ and ‘Languid’ to create something new all together. If you’re a fan of older Undercover this is a great opportunity to get items that you missed the first time around. It seems that there are also a number of licensed Star War pieces in the collection. The sci-fi series was always something aluded to in collections but it’s interesting to see it acknowledged directly here (though I’m a bit iffy on the SITH/JEDI snapbacks). Overall I the SS16 collection is an unpretentious acknowledgement of where UC has been and a nod to some of the brand’s long-term supporters.

Undercover SS15 Editorial – Slam Jam Socialism

May 4, 2015 by rocky

Celebrated Italian retailer Slam Jam Socialism presents their take on the Undercover Spring/Summer 2015 collection. Religious reference and renaissance paintings have been part of UC designer Jun Takahashi’s repertoire for some time now and this editorial investigates this inspiration at the source. The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of San Luca was selected as the backdrop for this photoshoot. Situated on top of the hills around Bologna, the well-worn stonework effectively contrasts the current UC collection.

Shop the selection here.

Undercover TGRAPHICS Exhibition – Hong Kong

April 28, 2015 by rocky

Undercover has relied on graphics as the focal point for many of the label’s designs over the past 25 years. Some of this artwork has been compiled and brought to a hong kong for an exhibition entitle TGRAPHICS. The exhibition features a mix of archival and rare graphics that span the brand’s history. The range of graphics is certainly impressive and includes collaborative art from the likes of Kaws.

If you’re in Hong Kong you still have a chance to see it in person until April 30th

Anita Chan Lai-Ling Gallery
2 Lower Alberta Road, Central
Hong Kong

More after the jump

Haven Undercover SS15 Editorial

March 19, 2015 by rocky

Undercover has been hard to find in North America until the last couple of years. One of the stores leading the charge in bringing cult Japanese labels to a global audience has been Haven. The team there put together this latest editorial using pieces from the Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

See more after the jump or head to Haven to shop the new UC items.

Undercover Fall/Winter 2015 Collection Lookbook

January 26, 2015 by rocky

Undercover just released the lookbook for it’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection. The pieces in the collection embrace color in a way that the last fall/winter UC collection did not. Jun Takahashi pairs his trademark outerwear (parkas, leather riders, bombers and wool coats) styled in simple clean looks. Different trousers are shown throughout the collection and come in skinny, straight cut and wider cuts. The most intriguing pieces here to me were the outerwear that had feature more elaborate graphics like the parka above.

I think Jun has reached a point he’s not going to release collections that are as conceptual as Earmuff Maniac or Less But Better. Instead it seems like Undercover is basically going to the brands past DNA and releasing interesting pieces that fans of the brand can easily add to their collections and mix with previous season UC items. Also promising for the brand is the fact that it’s distribution has increased in western countries with stores like Dover Street Market, Tres Bien, Haven and SSENSE stocking the line.

Undercover SS15 Collection

July 1, 2014 by rocky

While it’s a little early to really start planning purchases for next summer, it’s always exciting for me to see what UC puts out each season. Now that the brand has so many seasons to pull from the design team can mix and match themes and concepts from previous seasons and incorporate them in new ways. You see many of these UC signatures in this collection: large-print graphics (this time courtesy of the influential 70’s rock band Television) novel prints, screen-printed branding and a familiar punk rock proportions (think razor sharp and skinny distressed denim with rider jackets and coats). Standouts are the statement wool hats, printed bomber and rainy-day outerwear. To me this collection is a continuation of the similar ideas and cuts from the pyscho candy but mixed in with some of the mod influence from the UC Neoboy/Poptone collection.

Undercover M6B01 Backpack

April 26, 2014 by rocky

While accessories aren’t the first thing to come to mind when you think of Undercover, UC has had a great track record of putting out standout backs, wallets and jewelry in the past. I really like the standard backpack model they used and the camo packs from the ‘Less but Better’ collection are still grails for me.

Haven has received a shipment of the new M6B01 rucksack in grey and black. The nylon packs look durably constructed with a nylon body and leather finishing at the bottom of the pack. Multiple side pockets enable you to organize and stash all the things you need on a daily basis. You can find these over at Haven for $675 USD.

More images after the jump

UNDERCOVERISM FW14 Lookbook

March 29, 2014 by rocky

I’m happy to review the new Undercoverism FW14 lookbook for you guys. This collection comes off the Pyschocandy collection which was a monochromatic homage to the aesthetic of Jesus and the Mary Chain. For Fall/Winter 2014 Jun has selected a palette of muted earth tones and combined them with some patterns and more colorful prints/colors. The collection continues to define the evolution or ‘growing up’ of Undercover as a men’s brand.

Over the years UC has shed some of it’s more punk/streetwear roots and transitioned into a more straightforward collection of men’s staples with subversive design elements sprinkled in throughout. This is a path that many of the OG Harajuku menswear brands have followed (WTAPS, Neighborhood and Visvim come to mind). For this collection the outerwear is the most exciting category. There’s some great coats and jackets in here , from the wool coats to signature UC updates takes on varsities and MA-1s. The duck boots here also are a standout and I’m excited to see more photos of them in the coming weeks. Check the rest of the line after the jump and share your thoughts on the collection in the comments.

Undercover Men’s SS14 Collection

October 21, 2013October 20, 2013 by rocky

Designers usually choose to add colors to their Spring/Summer collections and keep Fall/Winter collections monochromatic. Jun Takahashi reverses this trend with Undercoverism SS14. The collection is murdered out for the most part, and features a consistent shape; slim-cut long tops and jackets with skinny trousers or jeans. It seems like Jesus and the Mary Chain was an audio inspiration to the line with jackets emblazoned with ‘I’ll be a Plastic Toy’ and ‘Pyscho Candy’.

The collection shares much of the same DNA as the SS14 womenswear collection which was unveiled in Paris. The leather rider jackets here are excellent (as to be expected from UC) but there are some great looking basics in here as well (the longsleeves which fit slightly long and oversized come to mind). While leather accents on clothes is something the men’s market doesn’t need any more of, there’s plenty of that here too. All in all while presentation and styling seem a bit uninspired, there’s still plenty here that’ll worth buying come next year.

See all the looks after the jump.

Undercoverism FW13 New Releases

August 12, 2013 by rocky

You may have previously seen the Undercoverism Fall/Winter 2013 ‘ANATOMICOUTURE‘ editorial. Zozotown dropped several items from the line which are available to purchase HERE. Among the highlights are this season’s leather rider jacket (above), a backpack with the sames ‘bones’ motif and the ribbed black skinny jeans. More after the jump.