THE KOOPLES
Redefining Contemporary Menswear.
Paris, France
Photography:
Raphael Elisha
Overview
SAVILE ROW PUNK TAILORS MEETS FRENCH ROCK ELEGANCE OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
Between 2014 and 2017, Art Comes First partnered with The Kooples to evolve its menswear division through creative direction, product development and cultural storytelling. Alongside seasonal collections, ACF co-designed a limited capsule collection, developed new products and became part of the brand's international campaign, strengthening its identity across product, communication and retail.
Selected Highlights
• Creative Direction for Menswear (2014–2017)
• Designed an ACF × The Kooples Capsule Collection
• Co-developed ready-to-wear, tailoring and accessories
• Featured as the faces of the global campaign
• International retail and outdoor campaign launch
• Strengthened brand identity through cultural storytelling
CLIENT
The Kooples
STATUS
Completed Partnership
DURATION
2014–2017
INDUSTRY
Luxury Fashion
LOCATION
Paris
SERVICES
Creative Direction • Brand Strategy • Art Direction • Campaign Development • Capsule Collection • Product Development • Styling
ACF x The Kooples Capsule Collection
Art Comes First partnered with The Kooples to design and develop a limited capsule collection combining the identities of both brands.
The project extended beyond consultation, with ACF contributing original product concepts, tailoring ideas and accessories that became part of a commercially released collaboration.
The collection translated the Art Comes First design philosophy into products sold through The Kooples' international retail network.
Included:
Capsule Collection Design
Product Development
Tailoring
Hats
Accessories
Commercial Collection Development
Campaign & Brand Partnership
Art Comes First were not only responsible for shaping the creative direction of the collaboration but also became the public face of the collaboration.
Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh appeared as the faces of the campaign, representing the partnership between both brands across editorial, retail and marketing communications.
The collaboration was promoted internationally through digital media, retail installations and outdoor advertising, including large-scale poster campaigns across London and Paris.
Product Development
Scope
Menswear Design
Capsule Collection
Tailoring Development
Accessories
Sampling
Supplier Collaboration
Production Support
Commercial & Brand Impact
The partnership resulted in how an independent creative consultancy could integrate into an established international fashion house, contributing across brand strategy, product development, creative direction and commercial collaboration.
The work strengthened The Kooples' menswear identity while expanding the visibility of Art Comes First as both creative partners and collaborators.
Brand Evolution
Rather than reinventing The Kooples, the objective was to evolve its menswear offering while remaining true to the brand's established DNA.
Our work focused on refining tailoring, introducing new product ideas and strengthening the relationship between Savile Row craftsmanship and contemporary Parisian style.
Creative Challenge
The Kooples already possessed a strong visual identity and international presence. The challenge was not to redefine the brand, but to evolve its menswear offering while remaining authentic to its Parisian heritage and rock-inspired DNA. Art Comes First introduced new ideas in tailoring, product development and visual storytelling that respected the existing brand while pushing it forward season after season.
I actually think this section makes the case study stronger than the current LAD/ page because it explains the problem you were solving, not just the work you delivered. That's exactly the kind of thinking prospective consultancy clients are looking for.
International Recognition
The collaboration and campaign featuring Art Comes First received editorial coverage across leading international fashion publications, highlighting both the creative partnership and the campaign concept.
WWD
The Kooples Features Creative Duos in Ad Campaign
Women's Wear Daily featured Art Comes First founders Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh as part of The Kooples' international Fall campaign, recognising the creative duo within the brand's global advertising initiative.
Fashion Week Daily
Dynamic Duos Front The Kooples Fall 2016 Campaign
Fashion Week Daily explored the campaign concept, featuring Art Comes First among the selected creative duos representing the evolving relationship between fashion, art and contemporary culture.
Explore More Project
LAD/
OZWALD BOATENG
FRED PERRY
