Visiting the G-Star RAW showroom can be an overwhelming experience. With men's and women's collections in different ranges (G-Star RAW main line, RAW Organic, RAW Essentials, RAW Correct, Marc Newson for G-Star and Low-T) that seem to grow with every passing season, the sheer amount of product makes it almost impossible to see everything all in one day.
Shortly after I began browsing through the showroom perusing the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to talk about all of their product. So the question became, how do I do it justice. At first I thought, well, I'll just take photos of the most interesting pieces. When I got home I realized that there were so many interesting pieces that I took way too many photos, not to mention that I didn't get enough photos of menswear. So even though I narrowed these down to just a few key pieces which I found extraordinary, it is just a fraction of what's hitting stores next Spring. Thankfully, there's a such thing called Lookbooks and when I get it, you'll be sure to see it too.
It's no secet I'm a fan of the brand. I love how they have a distinct design aesthetic and have managed to evolve without straying too far from this distinction. This isn't typical for many brands of comparable size who's modern offerings are so much different then their earlier products that, save for the logo, you wouldn't recognize it. From the signature "Arc" pant, to the architectural details, when you see a pair of G-Star RAW jeans, there's no mistaking what brand it is regardless of how long ago they were made.
As with past seasons, womenswear has a somewhat androgynous feel with some of the items looking interchangeable with menswear. For example, the "Arc" pant can be found in most of the brand's ranges but is a sharp stand out among womenswear for its heavier ounce denim and 3-Dimensional distressing which is in stark contrast to the skin-tight, spandex-blend "jeans" that are popular today. Details like a synthetic coating that covers the entire back pocket seem to be pulled from menswear as well and make women's jeans much more interesting than they have been lately. A jumper in RAW Essentials was one of the most fun items and RAW Correct included denim dresses blended with tencel showing a softer side of the brand.
The range of sustainable offerings has expanded greatly beyond the RAW Organic line, which is made of organic cotton. There is also a RAW Sustainable line and a RAW Recycled line which are made of sustainable materials and recycled denim respectively. A technology that really blew me away was G-Star's additon of a men's denim jacket and matching jeans made of the nettle plant aptly called RAW Nettle. This range, and the variety of apparel produced under it, shows not only social responsibility but a continuing commitment to keep pushing the envelope not only in design but in technology.
It's no wonder I'm always excited to see them every season.
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