New York Giants’ wide receiver Victor Cruz is cutting his teeth in design with denim label 3×1. Cruz, known to make the rounds at Milan Fashion Week, partnered with 3X1 Founder Scott Morrison and the design team to create a Fall ’15 collection based on gems they found during a recent trip to Japan and his own personal tastes and ideas.
A classic shirt jacket—or shacket—with dual pockets and patches was a jumping off point for the collection. The shacket, inspired by a vintage Boy Scout uniform found in Tokyo, is combined with Kaihara’s xx272 red caste denim.
The line also includes a long sleeve asymmetrical ombre shirt made with 5.5 oz. indigo chambray from Kurabo, Japan. To Cruz’s request, the shirt features one sleeve that completely fades to white. The effect was created by hand dipping the shirt in bleach for several wet processing cycles.
For bottoms, 3X1 introduces a tuxedo pant. The M3 trouser with a coated denim tuxedo stripe was made using a black coated denim from Isko for the stripe, and Cruz’ favorite indigo stretch denim from Kurabo, Japan for the jean. Pockets on the side seams—instead of the front—and a slimmer leg lends a sophisticated feel to the jean. For a more rugged look, Morrison and Cruz set out to make a jean that felt lived in. the M1.3 ripped jeans is made using the same indigo stretch denim as the tuxedo jean, but with rips, holes and softness.
The collection is rounded out by the VC military coat made with pure natural indigo dyed wool melton tough enough for any New York City winter night and football player.
