Red Gradient

The first appearance of the 'Earmuff Maniac' design language emerged in Autumn/Winter 2007 andmarked a stylistic turning point in Undercover’s timeline.Departing fromhis usual DIY punk aesthetic,Jun Takahashi turned towardsthe functional andthematic use of technical fabrics in a collection with no official name but referred to as“Knit and High Tech.' Long fishtail coats were cut frommembrane-backedwaterproof syntheticssuch as Diaplex,yetstrangely and almost counterintuitively featured anything-but-waterproof knit panels at the shoulders and crooks of elbows.The technical sheen of nylon andheatsealed clear plastic watch windows were juxtaposed against traditional winter knitwear and luxurious mink fur to create an irreverent punk amalgam of contrasting materials.Itwas a compellingfusionof past and future, technical and traditional.

Skip ahead two years and 'Earmuff Maniac' returns in full force,with Jun Takahashi employing (literal) space-age materials that wereon the cutting edge of textile innovation. Fall/Winter 2009 saw the inclusion of fabricslike gore-tex, Schoeller PCM (a phase-changing membrane/lining thatdynamically adaptsto body heat and surrounding climates), and all-over digitally printed graphics to create armor-like garmentscut to protect the wearer from theharsh elements of an imaginednear-future. Statement gradient knits were used as a defining texture on knit cloaks with articulated hoods, layered, longsweaters, and knit kilts whileshells and the sling bag shown here featuringbold trompe-l'oeil prints of it. The knits and prints gavethe collection both a simulated and real softness to offset the hard, protective, and technical. The mix of materials demonstrates Jun Takahashi's design prowess and ability to create a wholely unique and off-kilter vision of the future.

About the product:
Sling bag with three front pockets and one cavernous back pocket. Features clear plastic window at the phone pocket with earphone wire exit. Statement gradient-knit printed face fabric with mesh backside.

Made in Japan
9/10 Condition, with no rips, stains, or tears