Not Just Another Hat
A story of a hat representative of an entire journey from humble beginnings to fashion obsession. Who would have thought a piece of wool fabric could possess so much meaning?
To some, dressing is for practicality. For others, dressing is about aesthetic regardless of how uncomfortable the clothing may be. The fashion industry has transformed into a commercial beast with no signs of slowing down. The ripple effect of the over-commercialisation in fashion has led people to believe that the legacy of large fashion houses like Gucci, Balenciaga and Dior are built on the logo printed t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets. "Why would anyone spend so much money on cheap cotton just because it has a famous brand name on it," I can almost hear people shouting this in my head. The unfortunate aftermath of the constant pursuit of economic growth by LVMH, Kering and other significant conglomerates is that the creative and artistic value of a lot of fashion houses is dying by the minute.
My introduction into the artistic side of fashion came in 2014 through two friends who were Comme des Garcons fanboys. I had never considered fashion as artistic expression any time prior. To me, just like many others, clothes were just for wearing. However, after long hours of fashion discussions with friends, just like that, I became hooked. I remember days spent frantically flipping through book pages imagining garment details so eloquently highlighted by writers. It was not a pure interest in the work of Rei Kawakubo; it was a mindset shift that led me on a rabbit hole learning about the work of many great designers and creatives in the fashion world.
Me, wearing my Comme Des Garcons Wool hat.
Despite my budding interest, there was one massive barrier to entry, money. Comme des Garcons is by no means an affordable brand, especially when talking about the mainline or Comme des Garcons Homme Plus. No matter how much of a fanatic one is about a brand, if there is no way to feel and interact with the garments, you cannot grasp the full picture. How can one talk with certainty about garment details that they have not experienced in person? Regardless of my inability to afford clothing at retail price by the designer that led to my love for fashion, I found alternative ways to support my fashion queen. In London, there are frequent sample sales. It is a regular occurrence that people hit the jackpot at such events, buying coveted items for a fraction of the price. I too was one of the lucky individuals able to find hidden gems for prices that a working-class London boy such as myself could only dream of. I found myself a one of a kind grey Comme des Garcons boys wool hat. I could look stylish and have a warm head in the winter months. A clear win if you ask me. I remember the feeling of joyous warmth on my head provided by the stiff wool fabric, the first day I wore it. Above all, I could wear my fashion journey on my head with pride, for all to see.
In conclusion, for me, this is not just another wool hat. It represents history, inspiration, a mindset shift, and culture.