Fashion cannot do without the archive

If it is true that fashion is cyclical, the importance of archives is the best example. Collectibles, time capsules, or simply the result of obsessive research, in recent years have found a central role, moving from being the fad of a group of collectors to the gold mine of all those who wanted to look for a fashion different from the standard. «In a time where more and more people are interested in fashion and how they present, it has gotten harder to stand out by simply buying designer items off of the rack», Justin Reed, curator and consignment shopper and owner of some of the most iconic archival pieces in history, told us. «I think this, in addition to social media, has led people to search and buy more rare items from the past, with a historical significance they can relate to» recounted Justin, whose collections also include the iconic Pastelle Varsity Jacket seen just a few weeks ago on North West. Accompanied by an ongoing rediscovery of fashion history, from the most iconic shows to the enduring appeal of certain designers, archival pieces have taken on an increasingly prominent role in the collective imaginary of all those fans in search of their "grail." But if for celebrities getting their hands on archival garments means «to flex the 10k jeans or 20k jacket», brands have begun to understand their importance by putting the archive garments at the center of initiatives to enhance their past, now central along the path to envisioning a different future for the fashion world. «It would be fun if you walked into your favorite store and it acted like a museum showcasing different years and seasons alongside newer collections» Justin desires, to imagine a different role in which the concept of the archive can become one with that of retail. That is also why, for the No. 12 digital cover, nss magazine explored four different matrices of archives in different parts of the world to understand the genesis and growth of the Fashion Archive.