18 East Heads West with Exclusive Goodhood Collection

Introducing European streetwear enjoyers to the wonders of NYC-bred outdoor clothing, the fine-tuned functioneers at 18 East are teaming up with one of the UK’s hottest retail haunts in Goodhood to drop their inaugural “Improbable Builders Co-op” collection.

Founded in 2018 by Ralph Lauren alumn Antonio Ciongoli, 18 East has cultivated a loyal following through sporadic online releases packed with baggy, gorp-centric designs favouring natural elements over unpronounceable man-made materials and for the first time ever, 18 East’s wares will be available outside of Japan and the USA thanks to the gracious hospitality of London’s Goodhood.

The collection’s title is a play on the Syeus Mottel book “CHARAS, The Improbable Dome Builders” that documented the journey of ex-gang members in the 70’s who used a plan to build a geodesic dome beneath the Manhattan Bridge as a way to connect with their community.

Loosely following the themes of recontextualising unused open space in urban environments, 18 East and Goodhood have worked on an eight-piece clothing feast that puts artisanal spins on foundational streetwear pieces - borrowing from the finest reference points the technical, military and sportswear sub-genres have to offer.

Starting with a cult 18 East number, the brand’s Tempo Fleece Jacket stars alongside a matching vest that are both available in mud-dyed and hand-printed organic cotton material, with more literal handiwork on the jacket’s intricately embroidered panelling seen covering the lower arms and hem.

The shaggyness proceeds with the cut and sewn, wool-blend Fohair cardigan featuring hand-tooled buttons, alongside a heavyweight EasTac hoodie that like most of 18 East’s offerings, does not skimp on the storage options.

Apart from the blending of outdoor inspiration with hardy, albeit hand-finished duck canvas on the Balloon Bleecker Cargo Pants, the remainder of 18 East’s debut collaboration with Goodhood focuses on purist menswear favourites, including a faithful reimagining of the iconic MA-1 flight jacket, alongside the herringbone twill Caleb Zip Shirt and Saph 5-Pocket Jeans constructed from a hand-embroidered denim.

Allowing the intriguing cut of the individual pieces to do all the talking, branding elements are scant, aside from the co-signed interior labels or the odd 18 East tag.

The 18 East x Goodhood “Improbable Builders Co-op” capsule drops via both brands’ websites and physical locations this Thursday, January 9th.

The brands will also host an event at Goodhood in London on the same day to celebrate the launch.