Born out of curiosity, a hunger for authenticity and a desire to innovate, the Edwin Faeh-founded Work In Progress has always been more than a moniker because it manifests itself in the very heart, soul and mindset of the brand. Throughout its 25-year history, it’s as at home in clubs, schools and on the streets as it ever has been on construction sites. From rappers to ravers, everyone has, on one occasion or another, worn that big C. Why? Simply because it continually celebrates, cultivates and collaborates with youth subcultures. Today, as it marks the opening of its Faye Toogood-designed King’s Cross store and the 100th anniversary of the Carhartt Chore Coat, Carhartt WIP celebrates the creativity of our capital city by partnering up with London-based LAW magazine.
But why look back when you can look forward? Reflecting Carhartt WIP’s progressive values, the publication has used the much-loved Chore Coat as a means of deciphering the needs of a generation 100 years in the future. What will still matter, what will be rendered irrelevant? To answer these questions, they called upon Judy Blame, Liam Hodges, Christopher Shannon and Sadie Williams to each interpret the garment in their own way. Ahead of tonight’s exhibition opening, we exclusively share the Leonn Ward-directed, Jeanie Annan-Lewin-styled film that sees the jackets brought to life on backs of some of the capital’s most exciting young voices — poet and publisher Abondance Matanda, rapper Flohio in Liam Hodges, musicians Nilufer Yanya and Oscar #worldpeace.
Judy Blame…
… on discovering the power of fashion growing up in Spain:
“One summer a distant cousin and my auntie came out to visit. Well, my cousin, she wore a mini-skirt, which in 60s conservative Spain was like revolutionary… All the Spanish men were tongues on the floor, and all the women were crossing themselves. And I thought, ‘How bloody fantastic.’ I was only about six or seven.”
…on punk:
“With punk, I didn’t in fact like the music that much to tell you the truth. I thought it was a load of crap, most of it. But it was the attitude. You knew you were in the right place at the right time, even if you couldn’t dance to it.”
Liam Hodges…
… on having a laugh:
“I don’t take myself too seriously. The world’s so shit you need to laugh every once in awhile, otherwise it gets a bit too dark.”
