KARHARTT: L’Art de l’Automobile x Carhartt WIP

Date published: 22-Feb-2021

For Spring/Summer 2021, Carhartt WIP has collaborated with L’Art de l’Automobile, the lifestyle brand helmed by the Paris-based car dealer Arthur Kar.
Conceived as an ode to Carhartt’s heritage, which saw the brand releasing its own motor vehicles in 1911 – pre-dating the 1920s automotive boom which gave rise to Detroit’s Motor City moniker – the collection combines Kar’s own design sensibility with classic Carhartt WIP elements.
Built upon the idea of a mechanic’s uniform – a nod to Kar’s background, which often saw him skipping school as a teenager to help his father fix cars – the collection features a reworking of both the Michigan Coat and Single Knee Pant, complete with a functioning mini-wrench keychain attached. The palette draws inspiration from the trees of Lebanon, where Kar grew up, and a specific shade of green found on Ferves Rangers – a rare Italian off-road vehicle manufactured during the 60s and 70s.
In addition there are two graphic print t-shirts, and a series of accessories and gadgets, including two caps and a Nalgene water bottle. Each item features exclusive branding that sees the logos of both brands spliced together, to create a unique KARHARTT motif.
The accompanying campaign for this collection was shot by Paris-based photographer Sylvain Sey, and art directed by the L’Art de l’Automobile team and Parisian boutique store The Broken Arm. In addition, this launch is also marked by a video, shot by Angelo Marques, with an original score by its featured models, the music producer Louis Brodinski and the L’Art Kids.