Canyon Longsleeve

A longsleeve constructed to reflect the ground and layers of sediment that inspired it. Last May, I embarked on a month-long solo road trip out West and down the coast to see friends, search for inspiration, and live. One stop along my coastal trek was Oakland, in the Bay Area. Though I had been to the Bay Area before, this was my first time passing through Oakland. Because of this, my wonderful host spent time planning outings that allowed me to experience the deep cultural atmosphere that Oakland provides. We had the chance to go on hikes, indulge in local cuisine, tour the famous UC Berkeley, and even indulge in some sloppy dive bar pool. Later, we ended up winding down the night by watching Mickey 17 by Bong Joon Ho. Though I enjoyed the movie, what truly captivated me was the costume design by Catherine George. Every piece of wardrobe in the movie felt so intentional and immersive, none more so than the lounge uniforms worn on ship. 

This lounge top specifically featured 3 snap plackets originating from the neck, which extended laterally down each sleeve, as well as down the back seam. This design felt Sci-Fi and futuristic, but still pragmatic in a way you would expect from garments these characters would wear. It evoked the same feeling for me that Craig Green’s work for Alien Covenant did in 2017. Modular design and a sense of openness is a foundational thread that commonly runs through my design. In the past, I had played with the idea of an extended placket running from the neck to the sleeve, but seeing how it was executed in Mickey 17 drove me to finally act on that idea. For my design, my goal was to reimagine this lounge top in a way that felt more grounded and fit the feel and themes of the capsule more accurately. 

This resulted in a slouchier fit pullover with wider shoulders that almost looks “poncho-esque” when worn on body. This is primarily achieved through pattern adjustments to the sleeve intersection. As pictured, this piece was made with a “J” cut sleeve that mirrors the Dual Mule Trousers and provides ample room from the elbow up to the shoulder. The central design detail of this piece is an extended button placket that spans from one shoulder seam, across the neckline, down to the wrist of the opposing arm. This results in a unique look and an increased level of modularity at the arm and neck. The buttons can be snapped tight to create a more standard fit or undone to create a relaxed slash neck look. This piece also features a chest pocket with wood buttons that complement the collar. Fabric was meticulously chosen to most accurately reflect the natural look and feel of the rolling hills of the Badlands and the deep canyons of the West. A natural linen was utilized as the base, resembling the powdered ground that felt so many miles under my feet. and a cotton pinstripe seersucker was used as a contrast to resemble the many layers of sediment that left me in awe along my trip.