NYC’s Kith has found inspiration in an unlikely place: the American Southwest.
For its Spring 2018 offering, the streetwear brand looked to the beautiful, but tough terrain of Canyon Point, Utah, which served as the backdrop for its recently released short film, The Voyager, as well as its latest lookbook.
“The Southwest’s uncanny balance of tantalizing vistas and treacherous conditions can be as rewarding as they are daunting, as the brutal elements and dangerous landscape is not for the faint of heart,” Kith wrote in a press release. “Those who cannot only endure but conquer these harsh conditions, however, can have experiences that most never will. These outdoor pioneers and their camaraderie serve as the inspiration for Kith’s creation of the Element Exploration Agency.”
As part of the Element Exploration Agency (EEA), Kith will deliver a collaborative collection dubbed Utah. The range features innovative and functional designs that were made in partnership with some of fashion’s biggest brands.
Columbia Sportswear helped create a large assortment of “outdoor-inspired” apparel and accessories, including jackets, pants, fleece pullovers, shorts, caps, waist bags, and backpacks.
Kith also reworked Adidas’ highly functional Terrex silhouettes—the Jawpaw Slip-On, the Agravic, and the Response TR Boost, each of which are presented in one of EEA’s primary colorways.
As for the Utah accessories, Kith linked with Tumi to deliver key fobs and three styles of bags: the 19 Degree Carry-On features with a lightweight aluminum outer shell, the Jetsetter Bag made from premium canvas and leather, as well as the compactible, nylon Just In Case Tote.
Eyewear brand Oakley also contributed to the collection with the reintroduction of its Razor Blades sunglasses silhouette. The shades, which have been updated with Prizm-technology, are available in three colorways and come with a Utah-branded dust bag.
Last but not least, Kith has reimagined G-Shock’s water- and shock-resistant DW6900 digital watch. The piece continues the collection’s geometric pattern motif and comes in a custom co-branded lock-box.
You can check out the Utah collection in the lookbook images, shot by Nolan Persons, below.
The pieces range from $45 to $1,295, and will drop at 11 a.m. ET Friday at all Kith locations and Kith.com.
