Founded by Keizo Shimizu in 1988, the Nepenthes banner is home to renowned labels like Engineered Garments, South2 West8 and Needles.
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Where Engineered Garments covers more traditional menswear and South2 West8 focuses on purpose-built outdoor styles, Needles has long been the experimental arm of the Nepenthes corporation, best recognised for its cut and sewn tees, hoodies and flannels, alongside signature loose tracksuits that are all adorned with Needles’ butterfly branding.
Since expanding to London in 2019, Nepenthes (and its various offshoot brands) has cemented itself as a firm favourite in the Big Smoke’s streetwear-minded community and in celebration of five strong years of business, Nepenthes London is releasing a special capsule, produced exclusively by Needles Japan for its overseas hideout.
Playing on two key styles - the Rebuild Covered Pant and Mohair Cardigan, Nepenthes London works in references to Needles’ wider FW24 collection, alongside a homage to cult American cinema.
Part of Needles’ Rebuild range, where the brand repurposes vintage items and fabric scraps into 1-of-1 statement pieces, the Covered Pant uses a combination of faded black denim and glen plaid wool to achieve an unconventional yet familiar appearance, cut to the easy-wearing, relaxed fit championed by Needles.
With Jim Jarmusch’s 1984 flick Stranger Than Paradise as its muse, the Mohair Cardigan takes on a diamond jacquard design, spread over a green/ black colour palette that’s directly inspired by the same piece worn by John Lurie’s character Willie in the film.
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The shaggy mohair construction and relaxed v-neck are indicative of cardigans of old, where the diamond jacquard design acts as a secondary reference to pieces from Needles’ wider seasonal campaign.
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Both items from the Needles x Nepenthes London capsule will be available to purchase online and in-store this Tuesday, November 12th.
