Skip to main content

PHIPPS FW23: Classic American Fashion Meets Sustainable Style

by Tia Janowski


In a stride towards change, PHIPPS, now based in Los Angeles, is redefining its identity and reshaping American fashion with their Fall Winter 2023 collection. 


This season's innovative approach not only challenges norms but also champions sustainability and embraces the essence of American style.


By collaborating with Woolrich to repurpose deadstock fabric and introduce womenswear, their FW23 collection stands as a testament to PHIPPS' renewed vision for the brand and its commitment to American fashion.


Deeply rooted in curiosity and respect for nature, PHIPPS seamlessly marries rugged designs with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, quality, and eco-consciousness. 



The founder, Spencer Phipps, originally worked alongside designers like Marc Jacobs, laying the foundation for a brand that resonates with the natural world. This philosophy propels their focus on sustainability, evident in both their manufacturing practices and designs.


In their FW23 press release, PHIPPS states, "We redefine contemporary fashion by responsibly crafting clothing, understanding that global consciousness extends beyond production." 


Their partnership with Woolrich, utilising limited-edition items crafted from deadstock materials, aligns with their dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability.


Inspired by the energy of Los Angeles and an ambition for US-based manufacturing, PHIPPS' press release further explains, "The city's vibrancy, diverse culture, and unyielding spirit ignite our creativity, allowing us to reimagine the essence of an American brand."


Drawing inspiration from Richard Avedon's 'Into the American West,' the collection exudes classic Western aesthetics too, featuring prints like camouflage, plaid, and practical workwear. 


This inspiration harmonises with PHIPPS' rugged workwear heritage, as they explore elements of "weird Americana and countercultural outsiders" to shape a contemporary narrative.



The collection takes a historical and introspective approach, blending quintessential brand essentials like rib tanks and denim sets with styles from their Gold label vintage and LAB Division collections. With the inclusion of new categories like denim, underwear, and womenswear, the collection bridges the gap between classic 'American' prints and modern-day trends.


Impeccable decisions during the collection shoot contribute to its narrative. The backdrop, Big Sky Ranch in Simi Valley, California, known for film sets like 'Hail, Caesar!' and 'Little House on the Prairie,' effortlessly complements the collection's wild west aesthetic.


Furthermore, PHIPPS' choice of diverse models, including real cowboys and magicians, enhances the brand's aspiration for authentic representation within a fashionable context.


FW23 epitomizes PHIPPS' drive to redefine American fashion, uniting timeless styles with innovative ideas. It encapsulates a story that resonates with the past, present, and future. The fusion of sustainability and style perfectly suits PHIPPS' ethos, promising to redefine the perception of American fashion on a global scale.


Edited by Emily Duff

Comments

Most Popular

‘Make Tattooing Safe Again’: Sheffield Based Tattoo Artist Exposed for Indecent Behaviour

 by Emily Fletcher TW: SA, Animal Abuse, Transphobia Photo Credit: @ meiko_akiz uki Recently, an  Instagram account  has been created to provide a  ‘space to safely give a voice to those who want to speak out about the behaviour of one, Sheffield based tattoo artist’. A  total of 40+ posts have been made by the above social media account regarding  one of Sheffield's most popular tattoo artists .  Thankfully, all posts are prefaced with a Content Warning prior to sharing screenshots of the messages that have been sent anonymously to the page. The majority of Content Warnings refer to sexual behaviour, abuse, and sexual assault. It is clear that there is a reoccurring theme within each submission, as many clients appear to have had the same experiences with the tattoo artist. Women, mostly, are being made to feel uncomfortable while being tattooed. One of the most vulnerable positions anyone can be in, tattoo artists should make their clients feel comfortable and safe during the pro

Eurydice’s Last Words

by Kate Bradley I do not want to return To sit in the stalls, Of an empty black box Strewn with petals Leave the ghost light on, Let it shine like a call home, But I will not come back To turn it off alone. I learn this as we walk Our ever so solemn path Our thudding funeral march, You think we’re going back. As I trace my old steps, I fear of the day When the symphony swells, And I land my gaze On you, yet you will be Enraptured by the sound, If you did twist To turn around, You would not see me. So I am not sorry, I speak out into the empty air And I am not sorry. “Turn Around.” You do, you look You think  I fall But I run on, Arms wide open To fall in love With it all “Perhaps she was the one who said, ‘Turn around.” On the X45 bus, back from the Tyneside Cinema, I wrote a poem entitled “Eurydice’s Final Words”, after having seen “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”.  That poem was terrible, so I wrote a new one, as my response to the beautifully poignant film.  In one scene, Héloïse, an 18

Single Review: ‘Tell Me’ - Jay Moussa-Mann

by Ilana Hawdon The feeling of pure betrayal and heartbreak is perfectly captured in Jay Moussa-Mann’s latest single, ‘Tell Me’. Jay Moussa-Mann is the folk dream we have been waiting for. A favourite on BBC Introducing, Radio 6 and BBC Radio Tees, Jay ’s sound is easy on the ears but delightfully addictive. With a background in writing and film, she began her solo musical venture when she released her debut album, ‘Little Deaths’ in late-2019, and since then, Moussa-Mann has defined herself as an artist with unbelievable range and promise.    ‘Tell Me’ is completely timeless; with notes of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Moussa-Mann creates a folk-inspired track which is simultaneously heart wrenching and strangely empowering. Beginning as a simple guitar tune, ‘Tell Me’ builds with layers of luscious strings and twinkling piano, tied together with Jay ’s vocal line which is equal parts melancholic and divine. The song feels unwaveringly intimate; the lyrics ask, ‘what was I worth?’