Farah launches The Archive collection inspired by a century of design

Celebrating a century of ‘counterculture style’ clothing brand brand Farah is marking the  event by introducing ‘The Archive’, “stepping into its own history” with a 16-piece unisex capsule collection that “reinterprets designs from its 100-year legacy”.

“Reworked for today”, each piece embodies Farah’s “evolution from American workwear roots to a uniform of British counterculture, from the football terraces to West London dance floors”. 

It noted that until now, its archive has only been seen through collaborations with YMC, and designers Bianca Saunders and Martine Rose. So The Archive now “comes to life in Farah’s own style, shining a light on decades of British style and subculture”.

“[Spanning] decades of style, [while] meticulously recreating pieces”, The Archive “travels back to the Texas workshops of the 1940s and menswear Americana to offer a curated wardrobe that is both timeless and distinctly modern”.

Highlights include the Pendale Hopsack Jacket, reviving a 1970s Western silhouette with pearl snaps and a wide collar, the sort of garment once tied to bars in Austin; The Carranza V-Neck Jumper, made in Italy in a rich wool blend with an all-over jacquard, nods to the 1980s, as seen through the lens of British football culture; while the Montwood Corduroy Western Shirt revives a 1970s classic with curved yoke detailing and pearl snaps recalling Farah’s American roots.

It notes that every decade is represented in the collection, from double-knee denim built for work in the 1950’s to the signature Hopsack Slacks of the 1970’s slacks, “pressed sharp by West Indian communities in London”.

The collection is available globally from 8 October at farah.co.uk and select retailers.