Two of Los Angeles’ most revered fashion figures have joined forces for Spring/Summer 2018.
This week, John Elliott and 424 founder Guillermo Andrade will release a collaborative hoodie design that pays homage to the California towns that raised them.
The pullover is presented in Elliott’s signature Kake Mock silhouette, complete with hood drawstring, a gusset at the neck, ribbed cuffs, and distressed detailing on the bottom hem and kangaroo pocket. The piece, which is available in two neutral colorways, is kept relatively simple without any bold graphics or co-branding; however, the front chest does feature the name “Fairfax” in collegiate font—a nod to the street where Andrade’s 424 boutique is located, as well as the town in the Bay Area, where both designers grew up.
The John Elliott x 424 hoodie will drop April 28 exclusively at Barneys in San Francisco, where Elliott and Andrade will host an event from 4 to 6 p.m. on the day of the launch. But if you’re not in the Bay Area, don’t stress: the collaborative hoodie will be available through John Elliott's website and 424 on Fairfax beginning Tuesday, May 1.
Until then, you can check out the design in the lookbook images, modeled by Nick Young, as well as an exclusive Q&A with Elliott and Andrade below.
When did you first meet? How did the collaboration come to be?
Elliott: I first met Guillermo in New York outside a club. He was like, let’s go in. We kicked it all night. After that, through the evolution of both our brands we hung out all over the world and realized we were from the same home town (in The Bay), knew a lot of the same people, and had common connection points. Guillermo and I had lunch and he said, “We should do a Fairfax hoodie; you’re from Fairfax and I’m on Fairfax Ave," and I immediately responded, “We have to do that, its a souvenir. It’s authentic to both of our brands, for very personal reasons.”
Andrade: I always try to keep my eyes open for new brands and John’s was one that I always liked for FourTwoFour on Fairfax, but at the time Union was exclusively stocking it so I respected that. We finally met in New York in person, and when I found out he was from the same place that I’m from in The Bay I was hyped! To meet another person from Marin County who was also in fashion and doing so well was inspirational for me.
Why did you chose to focus on one piece rather than a full collection?
Elliott: For me it’s light hearted. It's like a souvenir, and is supposed to be easy and quick. It’s not the cumulative collaboration of 424 and JE. It's real to who we are, our relationship, and it’s something we both want to wear. It made sense for us personally. We talked about it a couple times and we had to do it. It just felt right.
Andrade: The collaboration is to celebrate a respect for one another. We wanted to create something that could be executed relatively quick but that was still genuine for us both.
Why did you specifically choose a hoodie?
Elliott: A hoodie is the nucleus of a man’s wardrobe in 2018. It doesn’t matter what season you’re in or what tribe you’re in. It doesn’t matter who your favorite musician is or how many 0’s you have in your bank account. It lends itself to be the perfect median to do something authentic.
Andrade: A hoodie is my favorite canvas. I cannot get through the week without wearing a hoodie at least once. It makes it into most looks in my wardrobe. It’s the perfect piece that goes from sportswear to the workplace depending on how you style it.
How did you go about fusing the brands’ respective aesthetics? What was the collaborative process like?
Elliott: My high school (Drake High) had the same colors, so that's how we came up with this green color scheme.
Andrade: The process was very straightforward. We chose John’s hoodie as the canvas and then added treatments for wash: additional distressing with a collegiate embroidered Fairfax logo, which has been a staple of our 424 collections for sometime now.
Can customers expect additional 424 x John Elliott collaborations?
Elliott: Yes, I love and respect 424 and Guillermo’s vision and energy. Let’s go!
Andrade: Yes, this was always meant to be the start of something on-going.
Nick Young is featured in the campaign. Why did you choose him to model the hoodie? What do you think he brings to the table?
Elliott: He’s perfect because he plays for the Warriors, is a close friend of mine, and is from L.A. He is a bridge to both worlds in a literal sense: The Bay and Los Angeles. Plus Nick is not going to fuck with something he thinks is whack. You know his nickname.
Andrade: SWAGGY P! When I think of it, It makes perfect sense. John and I met in L.A. but are from the Bay Area, and Nick has been showing love for both of our brands over time. He ends up moving to Golden State so we shoot a guy from L.A. in The Bay. Haha much love to Nick. Nick is mega stylish on and off the court; John’s passion for basketball and mine for fashion, I think comes through perfect with Nick. The stars aligned, can’t fight the universe.
What does Fairfax mean to you?
Elliott: For me Fairfax is a beautiful place that is nontraditional, free thinking, and creative. I’m speaking to Fairfax, Ca, just north of SF.
Andrade: Yo! I came to L.A., ended up opening my shop here (on Fairfax Ave.) and met John who is from Fairfax in Marin. He went to a rival high school there called Drake High School, which I always loved to play against because the energy there was always so alive! It’s this beautiful town right next to Mount Tam just a short drive from some of the most memorable views I’ve ever seen. If you know Fairfax in Marin you will understand John’s brand at the core a bit better. Fairfax has been so important in our lives for so many reasons and now here we are continuing to celebrate it, sharing it with all of you. I love Fairfax.
