Every morning when we wake up and prepare ourselves to interact with the world, we have a unique opportunity to stitch together elements of “Where I Come From” , “Where I Belong” and “Where I Hope to Go”.
We can select and spin attributes from our individual and collective past, mix them with those from our immediate present and amplify them through the optimism and ambitions of our future. We can layer, relayer and endlessly shuffle these to best express who we are and how we intend to engage with the world – at least for the day ahead.
We feel this is the true promise of personal style. It transcends both the simplistic pursuit of trends or the static rejection of fashion. Instead, it is a dynamic, authentic expression of one's ongoing journey. It is what the discerning individual deserves—a more profound and nuanced proposition than the fashion industry often presents.
In simple terms we’re excited when we see someone combining something a bit worn-in or vintage (Where I Come From) with something unapologetically comfortable designed for day-to-day life (Where I Belong) with something a bit technical and cutting-edge (Where I Hope to Go) into a single harmonious outfit. For us, that’s authentic self-expression.
Practically this might be as basic as layering together favorite broken-in chinos and a wristwatch inherited from your father (Where I Come From) with a fresh looking super soft laundered tee or sweatshirt (Where I Belong) and a modern functional jacket made from a high-performance fabric (Where I Hope to Go). In this case, the style is in the layering because the authentic self-expression is in the layering.
You’ll find these sensibilities layered across the LM.RT collection where we attempt to create a balance of styles that help express these attitudes. For instance, our fabrications can be grouped into these three distinct concepts:
• Memory: Materials like workwear cotton gaberdine or veg-tanned horsehide that patina naturally with wear and age and remind us of where we come from.
• Momentum: Qualities like smooth nylon blends, double weaves and bio-fibers that are highly practical, comfortable and travel-friendly, making us feel like we’re always where we belong.
• Manifest: Refined, sophisticated fabrics from Japanese wool suiting to mulberry silk dupioni rooted in fine tailoring representing the grown-up dignity and sophistication of where we hope to go.
It will sound hugely pretentious, and we’re not saving lives or contributing to world peace. We’re just making clothes. Understanding that, the question we’re exploring exists at the 3-way intersection of Where I Come From, Where I Belong and Where I Hope to Go. After all, these are the milestones along each of our individual journeys and the layering of these is how we cultivate our personal identity and character.
We want to support the expression of our customers’ true and best self if we can. Something with dignity, nobility, empathy and bravery. Something authentic, self assured and distinct.
Because for us, identity is layered.