Adam Kimmel x Carhartt Launch At The Barneys Studio Space

When you think of Carhartt, the first thing you think of usually isn’t high fashion. While descriptions like “tough,” “durable,” and “heavy-duty men’s workwear” certainly come to mind, another forthright adjective that can easily be used to describe the wares is “ubiquitous.” As one party-goer at this past Tuesday’s Adam Kimmel x Carhartt for Barneys launch noted, the rough-and-ready brand is mostly known as a time honored staple of farm supply stores and Walmart back-aisles throughout the Midwest. So then just how did this workhorse of a brand end up being feted with the likes of Champagne and celebrities at the mysterious and clandestine Barneys Studio in the fashion district?

All it took was one designer with an idea (that designer being wunderkind Adam Kimmel of course). Known for putting the Mens in Menswear, Kimmel’s pieces add a sleekness to traditionally masculine designs, making them the perfect choice for a put-together yet far from pretentious look. In order to truly amp up the testosterone, on hand was artist George Herms and Paintallica- who created site specific installations for the event using such manly tools as chainsaws and chisels- with the overall effect being something that felt part Pacific Northwest and part skate-rat all grown up. Perhaps adding to this mystique was the choice in music, care of  DJ Leo Fitzpatrick who actually got his acting break while being spotted as a young kid at a skatepark by Larry Clark.  While you can catch some of the collaboration at the Barneys website, check out below a few of the designs about to hit stores.

Barneys

Adam Kimmel

All photos courtesy of Neil Rasmus/Billy Farrell Agency