New Brand: Gramicci

Text: Caiza Andresen

I’m not to afraid to admit that I did not know anything about Gramicci until May of this year when the Stüssy collab consisting of two crazy loud-ass zip-off cargo pants dropped.

Shame on me. But unlike when you meet a girl at a party, forget her name and whenever you see her again try to work around the fact, that you can’t remember her name which often ends very embarrassing I did not try to act like I knew anything beforehand.

I did my research and even though I’m way beyond thirty I learned something new. I asked my homeboy James Harris (@doctortaco) because I know that he’s into climbing and into fashion. Big into fashion. (Listen to the great Throwing Fits Podcast and become a Patreon, my friend!)

For James, Gramicci goes back to his childhood when he first saw the brands logo aka »the crazy little dude« in his father’s surfing magazines in the Nineties. He rediscovered it back in Japan at stores like Beams and noticed how even though the brand was way under the radar it was still poppin’ in Japan as both a lifestyle and active sports brand. My friends, I don’t know about you, but just do the maths: 90s plus active sports plus a thumbs up from Japan… That’s a win for all of us.

But how did this brand start out? Some of us fondly remember the days before the label »streetwear« was plastered on everything some non-talented guy wanted to sell and those are the days of Gramicci. The textbook evolution of what we are wearing today goes like this: Surfwear became Clubwear. Clubwear became Streetwear.

Back then it was surf and active wear that was worn by the right people. It was labeled through who wore it, not what was spelled out on a print on the piece itself. And in case of Gramicci we’re talking quality, too. Through its founders Mike Graham’s love for climbing and the need to have the right clothes to do so, the idea of Gramicci was born back in 1982. Wonder where the name comes from? The story goes it’s just the Italian way to say Graham.

What made their products stand out was the approach to suit up a younger audience to get active. If you are into climbing you need a wider crotch on your pants to have that extra freedom of moving. This and the already attached nylon belt became staples of the brand and are features that today come into mind when you hear this classy Italian-sounding name.

Their logo which looks like a more crazy relative to the »Stüssy Tribe Man« (but not as crazy as the »Hatchet Man« made famous by Insane Clown Posse.) was soon adopted from straight active and sports gear into cool guy gear of the 90s. And even though it became quiet around the brand in the past years we already heard that the brand was not sleeping and had a continuous cult following in Japan. Looking at the assorted Gramicci goods HHV is offering, you can still feel the mixture between sporty clothes made for climbing and street fashion.

Let me show you my top picks:

»Boa Fleece Jacket«

This gem – which by the way has a perfect relaxed fit due to its raglan sleeves – is that one fleece you really need even though you already have several fleeces at home. This fleece perfectly captures less is more, while giving you some hard »if you know you know« vibes gleeing at you with its little flag label. Choose beige or go stealth in all black.

Wanna do some layering?

»Mock Neck«

»Wool Blend Pants«

Pants became louder and wider each season, just like these yarn dyed plaid pattern ones that are in brownish tones that go with a nice walk through the park. Equipped with the signature built-in nylon belt, a relaxed fit and tapered legs they are just perfect.

Now to my favourite piece:

»Wool Blend Coaches Jacket«

That’s not a coach jacket. While a coach jacket always seems too much leisure for me, this one borrows a lot from classic wool coats. Coats are by far my favourite garment. It’s a steady hug, when nobody else will hug you. It’s the closest thing to a cape. It’s just great to wear a coat. And this one gives you everything you need.

Oh, btw! Remember when I spoke about the »Boa Fleece Jacket«?

»Boa Fleece Pullover Shirt«

Available in beige and olive. Just look at the buttons on the neck. That’s something different.

Gramicci’s goal is and always has been giving you the perfect clothing for an adventurous time not only in the outdoors but all day and everywhere. The beauty of streetwear has always been to take elements of clothing specifically designed for sports or outdoor activities and adapt it to everyday use. Gramicci is a perfect example and I can only recommend you checking out the selection at HHV: Gramicci | HHV

Visual Content: Gramicci / HHV