Traditional Beat, International Artist. Traditional Piece, International Garment.

Future Friendship Project NO.02

HHV & Universal Works are proud to work together once again on our second collaboration. We took some time to chat to David Keyte (Founder of Universal Works) to hear why…

How did our relationship with HHV and the latest project come about?
“We have worked with HHV for a few years now and we have a similar approach to business and life! We are serious about what we do but don’t take ourselves too seriously, and when we collaborate on projects like this, we want to have some fun with the process and the results. After the last time we worked together, we met while we were all in Paris on the seasonal buying season — they asked if we’d like to work on another project and I foolishly said yes! (Just joking)”

What was the inspiration behind the pieces / Can you talk us through some of the individual design details?
“I guess the team at HHV, like me, are inspired by many things from Japan. They loved our Kyoto Jacket that we had released a few years back, which was originally inspired from a trip to the ancient Japanese city, but making something more akin to a “worker” version of a traditional Japanese piece. We added a special collab label, inspired again by some of my collection of artefacts, books and objects from Japan.”

Any further thoughts?
“Both pieces can be worn as shirts, or jackets or cardigans — as outer layers for Summer or under other pieces in the Autumn. They can be worn, and used and washed, and used and washed and will just get better and better looking as they age… a bit like me really !!”

To bring this product to life we worked with Producer and internationally known artist Samon Kawamura. The collection was shot in Kawamura’s home studio in the center of Berlin. Each piece of musical equipment further blurred the lines between digital and analog, from acoustic mandolins and electric guitars to beat pads and iMacs. This was then reflected in the music playing in the background featuring everything from alternative rap to world.