JW Anderson launches major Gilbert & George collab

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 5, 2018

JW Anderson has continued its tradition of quirky collaborations by linking up with Brit art duo Gilbert & George for a new capsule collection, an exhibition, a book and an ongoing link for SS19.

“For me, Gilbert & George are the ultimate British Modernists and I am obsessed with their work,” the label’s founder and creative chef Jonathan Anderson said. “I really appreciate both the sense of anarchy and order in what Gilbert & George do and in this way, it works perfectly with JW Anderson – it’s a marriage of British eccentricities and traditions.’

The collection has launched this week with Anderson saying it represents “a long-term wish to celebrate the artists, their view of masculinity and British modern life.”

It debuted on Monday with exclusive distribution via matchesfashion.com. It’s for sale via the luxury webstore and its London location at 5 Carlos Place where a Gilbert & George-inspired installation will be open to the public for two weeks. From December 10, the collection will also be available on JWAnderson.com.

Anderson chose to concentrate on three key works by the duo and also built part of the SS19 collection around them. The works featured are Guard Plants (1980), Dog Boy (1980) and Heavy (1988). 

“Making their metier out of everyday life in the East End of London – what could be seen as the constant refrain of Gilbert & George’s work – the collection brings this celebration of ordinary boys in the 1980s to life in a different way today,” the company said. 

“Here, in a casual summer capsule of leather biker jackets and latex tees, Breton striped tops and shorts, voluminous cotton tunics, tees and sweats, the prints of the artworks are placed centre stage. Perhaps this is achieved most startlingly in the collection’s accessories, where oversized bags present a perfect canvas to look at G&G’s work afresh.”

The collab will also see a special publication to celebrate the collection. ‘The Pleasure Book for Boys with JW Anderson and Gilbert & George’ is photographed by Alasdair McLellan, styled by Benjamin Bruno, designed by M/M (Paris) and is accompanied by an interview with the artists by Jo-Ann Furniss. It will be available on the JW Anderson website from December 19.