2 posts tagged "Conflict of Interest"
VFiles Brings Indie Swag to Tokyo
In just under a year, the VFiles store has established itself as the New York destination for hipsters and hip-hop-heads looking to score some streetwear (or, as some might call it, “swag”). A favorite of A$AP Rocky (and the kids who listen to his music), the multibrand boutique on Mercer Street carries independent designers such as Hood By Air, Les Plus Dorés, and Conflict of Interest, as well as its own namesake line. Starting today, Japanese fans of the fashion media site will be able to get their “swag” in person at the VFiles pop-up in Isetan, one of Tokyo’s leading department stores. Open through March 12, the shop will stock specialty pieces from Gerlan Jeans and the VFiles collection, as well as a limited-edition X-Girl camouflage tote bag. VFiles reportedly plans to open up similar retail concept spaces in the future, including an outpost in the Hamptons this summer.
On Our Radar: Subversive Logo Tees From C.O.I. NYC
There are a-ha moments and then there are “Ah ha!” moments. One of the latter occurred when Tommy Ton snapped CR Fashion Book editor Shiona Turini wearing a cheeky logo tee that read “Ballinciaga” during London fashion week. No, Nicolas Ghesquière’s spell checkers didn’t take the day off. The ironic shirt was from Conflict of Interest (or C.O.I. NYC), a new label launched in September, which also offers other conversation-starting tops branded “Giraunchy” and “Bodega Vendetta.” There’s a cool backstory, too. According to its founders, who work in the industry and prefer to remain anonymous for now due to a “conflict of interest” with their other jobs, the line models itself after a fictitious government agency that raids warehouses, seizes unlicensed designer goods, and re-releases them to the public in actual tamper-proof evidence bags. “We have hilarious conversations with our friends in fashion and often use a lot of wordplay when referring to what each might be wearing,” explained one of C.O.I.’s incognito agents. “We are definitely fans of the labels we parody, and if we don’t love the original house, designer, or logo, we don’t touch it. Our objective is to create a dialogue on fashion iconography and imagery.” When the Tommy Ton photo posted, it quickly became a viral hit, and C.O.I. reportedly saw an immediate spike in sales. In the near future, C.O.I. will be putting out slightly larger collections including limited-edition hats and sweatshirts and is also in talks with some companies to do collaborative subversions of their own logos. So what’s next—Narcissus Rodriguez, Mary Katranzoo? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
C.O.I. shirts ($60 each) are sold on Coi-NYC.com and at VFILES, 12 Mercer St., NYC.