Collaboration can play its part almost anywhere in all walks of life, be it as simply as collaboratively working together to clean the house or creating a piece of art over a period of time. An area I want to specifically focus on at the moment is clothing (including shoes and accessories), documenting some of my favourite and more elaborate findings.
My knowledge of the vast fashion world in all its glory is pathetically slim, and on that note I better get researching, however I do have a particular fondness for one clothing company named 'ALIFE'. These guys produce some really crisp garments on their own but they tend to work collaboratively with more well known companies on a regular basis. I'm going to dedicate a fair portion of this post looking at some of my favourite productions...
Alife / Timberland - 6" Wheat
Not particularly my cup of tea but this classic cut Timberland boot has hardly even had a make-over to the untrained eye and looks like the average 'work boot', but this pair have had 'THE ALFIE INC.' stamp attached and both logos embossed on the back heel. I'm more focused on the t-shirt range they released alongside the boots - 'Rough Like ALIFE Wear' with ALIFE's trademark bold upper-case text that I have a lot of love for.
Alife / Slow Roast Records Showcase
Not only working together on clothing ranges and shoes etc. in this case Alife have joined together with Slow Roast Records to commence a month long tour around Alife stores around America. I like the idea of collaborations opening up new possibilities for each party and allowing them to work in ways and places not previously thought of.
Alife / Dickies - workwear
I'm sure many people know of Dickies workwear - durable, affordable work attire. None of which is overly desirable in a fashion sense, but who cares? it's just for work! For those a slight more fashion conscious in the work place, ALIFE have an answer...
I found an opinion of the workwear online from Mammothworkwear.com - 'I love the style of the new alfie workwear it’s very stylish you would almost think it was not meant to be workwear. Really impressed.'
Alife / Skate wheels and G-Shock
Moving slightly away from clothing and vaguely onto reasons why I believe collaboration to be a good thing. There is always a lot of speculation and rumouring around exclusive collaborations, and ALIFE follow in the mystery, I found these next two images together as part of a preview post offering a taster of whats to come.
It's all the speculation and mystery that can make collaborations that bit more exciting to wait for, invest in or work on, especially when it's from two brands or companies around your interests or profession. On top of the excitement, often projects like these two above come in editions of small numbers for example the wheels come in an edition of 150 and the watch in 200, making it that little bit more personal when you own one.
Alife / Levis 501
