Initially recognised for their heavy workwear influence, Brixton is a brand that has transcended many style tribes, carving out its own path along the way. Touching on areas including skate, art, music and travel, each season Brixton connects with creatives and likeminded individuals to bring us a capsule collection truly unique to them.
This season, Brixton join forces with the Joe Strummer Estate, to celebrate the legendary, often controversial musicians life. Known most famously as the lead singer/guitarist for UK punk band The Clash, Strummer is able to lay claim to featuring in other notable punk outfits including The 101ers and The Pogues.
After opening for a then unknown Sex Pistols with The 101ers, Strummer was approached by members of fellow punk band London SS to join as lead singer. Over time and after some line up changes, London SS became The Clash, and the rest, as they say was history.
The Clash came to define the truly unique sound of underground UK punk, with their first single 'White Riot' being released under CBS Records in 1977. This sound, despite gaining traction across the pond in the US, was deemed 'not radio friendly'. Despite this, The Clash continued to release music and ended up breaking America, touring their iconic album London Calling and their third album Combat Rock peaking at No. 7 in the US charts, certifying itself 2x platinum.
As with many of the worlds most notable musicians, Strummers rise to fame was not without controversy. For a brief spell in 1982 Joe Strummer 'disappeared' - only to resurface in Paris, running the Paris Marathon after fuelling himself with ten pints the night before - a fitting anecdote for a man whose punk rock attitude remains one of the most impactful on the music scene to this day.
Where does a brand start when taking on influence and inspiration from one of the worlds most revered punk rockers? With in your face slogans of course! Well known for their activism, many of The Clash's songs took on a political stance, in true punk rock fashion. Slogans such as Know Your Rights and Out of Control adorned both artwork and clothing worn by Strummer on stage.
The Brixton x Strummer Know Your Rights Snapback carries this message, set against a classic Brixton low profile silhouette - a subtle way to get your message across.
Further to this the Out Of Control Long Sleeve and T Shirt carry graphics on the chest, arms and back respectively. Taking direct graphic influence form a t shirt worn by Strummer during a Clash gig.
The Strummer Set T Shirt is a direct recreation of a handwritten set list kept by the Strummer estate, reworked by Brixton and set against a soft 100% cotton tee.
The stand out piece of the collection is the Brixton x Strummer Short Sleeve Woven Shirt. Taking a vintage shirt worn by Strummer during a Clash show, it features an all over Japanese calligraphy print, with the red circle of the flag placed within it. The original style worn by Strummer was long sleeved and in an oxford cotton - true to their stylistic influences, Brixton rework it into a cotton/rayon short sleeve making for an impressive option.
You can shop the full Brixton x Strummer collection online now at The Chimp Store.
