G-Star Raw has been bitten by the denim couture bug.
The brand released “Denim After Dark,” a two-piece capsule collection made with David Laport, a Dutch designer known for his “circular couture” approach to dressmaking, signature pleats and celebrity clientele including Rihanna, Sia and Solange.
“We wanted to make something glamorous. Something feminine. Something totally different. And of course, something in denim,” Laport said in an interview with G-Star about the collaboration.
The collection features a strapless top and a tiered dress—each defined by Laport’s sculptural accordion-style pleating. The top mimics the shape of a bow while the layers fan out into an explosion of pleats on the dress.
Laport, who has “a big love for pleats,” said it’s an underused technique in denim. “I wanted to make something festive, a statement piece that was easy to wear. So, you can party and go out in both pieces. And you can wear the top with your G-Star trousers and sneakers too,” he said.
In keeping with G-Star’s roots, the pieces are made with 100 percent cotton Japanese selvedge denim. The 10 oz. 2×1 right hand twill fabrics have an authentic green cast while the weft gray adds vintage appeal. The untreated, pure fabrics are ready for the wearer to make the garments their own.
“When you make one-off pieces, there needs to be a full circle story,” Laport said. “It’s very important to what I do. Denim After Dark was about this city vibe, you know, also this G-Star feel, a bit raw.”
The bow top is available now on G-Star’s website and retails for $320. The dress is not listed currently.
Denim After Dark follows G-Star’s collection of “haute denim headwear” with British milliner Stephen Jones. Each oversized hat was fashioned from Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified denim fabric and is inspired by the designer’s earlier work.