As Colmar enters its centennial year, the Monza-based fashion brand isn’t merely raising a glass to toast its long-lasting legacy. It’s transforming the celebration into a stylish spectacle. Joining forces with Joshua Vides, the American visual artist whose roots stretch to Palo Alto, California, Colmar elevates its 100th anniversary to a meeting of art and fashion.
Vides is a familiar name in the cultural landscape. This 33-year-old disruptor first captivated audiences in 2017 when he transformed a pair of Nike Air Force 1s into an optical masterpiece—a white canvas transformed by black marker lines, where the 2D seemed to leap into 3D.
Joshua Vides for Colmar
Beyond this viral sensation, Vides has shaped his brand, CLSC, now a fixture in over 400 stores globally. His design credentials further unfold with collaborations featuring illustrious brands and institutions like Google and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
After crossing paths with Colmar in early 2022, Vides brings his whimsical artistry to a brand steeped in Italian tradition. “I usually start collaborations without a specific idea in mind,” Vides reflects. “In this particular case, I thought about what an artist has in common with an athlete.”
For Vides, the artist and athlete share a kindred spirit—always coming up with new ways to solve problems and handle setbacks. They enjoy the thrill of succeeding after a series of failures and the exhilaration of rising to the top, even after stumbling.
The Vides-designed centennial capsule for Colmar brilliantly mirrors his ethos of resilience and spontaneous creativity, featuring a collection that harmonizes Vides’ modernist black and white prints with Colmar’s storied Italian craftsmanship, all while paying homage to athletic triumphs and iconic pieces from Colmar’s archival treasure trove.
The Colmar Vides 100th-anniversary capsule collection, slated for an October 12th unveiling, promises a curated ensemble of ten masterpieces. Encompassing everything from jackets to uniquely crafted accessories such as beanies and scarves, the line offers a seamless fusion of Vides’ contemporary aesthetic with Colmar’s timeless spirit.
