This story features New York-based menswear label Linder, and is art-directed by the Designers Sam Linder and Kirk Millar. With the exclusive interview for Fucking Young! Online, Sam and Kirk talks about the latest collection and the behind the scenes.
Tell us something about you guys and the brand Linder.
Linder is a combination of the two of us and our team. We’ve been working together for three years now, and have just debuted our second full collection at NYFW Men’s.
What is the inspiration for the SS2017 collection?
This is always a tough question for us… We typically work without a stated inspiration. Each of us work differently, but the alchemy between us and our process is what drives us, informs the final designs.
What is the most challenging part of preparing this runway debut?
We have an amazing team that combed through every detail with us. Going in we felt very prepared, maybe a little unsure of what it would feel like, but I don’t think there were many hiccups considering this being our first.
Favorite look and piece(s) of this collection?
That’s like choosing a favorite child. I think each piece was given a lot of our attention and each stands on its own as a part of the collection.
The accessories from this collection are very interesting. What’s the story behind those designs?
The jewelry came from this idea of taking a cross, now a symbol that’s adopted by many groups in various forms and the idea of it “wilting” or tired… Kind of dropping from exhaustion. They ended up so beautiful in their altered state. Then we used them all over the collection on the chains that held a pair of boots together, a belt, necklaces, bracelets and rings. The bags are also a mini version of a style we did for fw16. We definitely like the consistency of seeing our pieces repeated and altered—used in each collection.
How did you guys share responsibilities when it comes to design and run the brand?
We both take on design and creative direction, but we have started to settle into our strengths. I think that’s a crucial part of our growth in the time working together. We have kind of found our rhythm… The appreciation for each other’s quirks and eccentricities.
Do you guys share the same aesthetic or differently? How does that reflect in Linder?
I don’t know if anyone shares an aesthetic. Give two people a camera with the same models, clothes and set and you’ll end up with two different stories. I think that’s what makes Linder rich in its layers. We each approach it our own way, but as we render the collection it starts becoming its own thing entirely. And then you have all the people involved in that process. Each person’s fingerprint is in those clothes.
What is the idea for the direction of this story?
The idea of this kind of underground wasteland of fabric and clothes is an interesting concept because I think fashion as a whole is kind of looking around trying to figure out new and fresh approaches, to an industry that is supposed to be forward thinking, but is still maybe unsure of the future…
Models: Harry Smith & Niall Walker @ D1 Models
Photographer: Phoebe Cheong
Styling: Marley Cohen
Art Direction: Sam Linder & Kirk Millar
Hair & Grooming: Desiree Fiorentino
Casting: Jae Foo
