The Next Big Menswear Collab Is With an Art Magazine

Double Tap to ZoomStyleThe Next Big Menswear Collab Is With an Art MagazineColbo just pulled a true wild card move by collaborating with an…art magazine? The menswear brand just released a limited-edition capsule with legacy art publication Artforum that essentially says, “Yes, I’m cultured.”“I went to school for fine arts, and have always read Artforum,” says Colbo founder Tal Silberstein. “So after I made a connection with some people who used to work there, I knew there was something that could happen there.” According to Silberstein, the Colbo team has been in touch with Artforum for almost two years. It’s perfect happenstance and truly reflective of the brand’s ambition, especially when considering that Colbo’s turning five next week.The offering, timed with New York City’s Art Week, includes T-shirts, a long-sleeve, hats, and totes featuring a hand-drawn logo inspired by a vintage Artforum cover. Product-wise, the result is a secret third thing between fashion and merch. “It’s definitely not fashion, but it’s also not merch. I’d say the collection is more promotional than actual merch merch,” says Silberstein. In keeping the theme of interdisciplinary collaborations, Colbo is hosting a site-specific exhibition called Soft Thoughts this week featuring Dana Harel of White Dirt, whose hand-sewn, fabric-covered sculptural lighting pieces will illuminate Colbo’s Orchard Street flagship, on view until December 1. For opening night later this evening, Colbo is also holding a capsule preview at their wine bar next door, aptly named Colbo Next Door. Oh, and it’s the brand’s fifth anniversary during all of this, on November 19. This Artforum joint venture is yet another notch in Colbo’s belt. Between a Zara Kids collaboration earlier this year, and another ongoing one with Sperry boat shoes including a forthcoming FW26 leather loafer (it’s called the Sirah, and it’s beautiful), the brand is on something of a collab tear. In hindsight, teaming up with an art magazine is a very Colbo thing to do. That’s how Silberstein approaches his brand, after all: by following genuine interest and seeing how far it can go.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.What To Read NextThe Next Big Menswear Collab Is With an Art MagazineWhy Does Clothing Look So Scribbly Now?There’s A Reason These T-Shirts Have Luxury-Level Price TagsNathan Fielder’s Most Convincing Argument Might Be His New BalancesReebok Recodes Allen Iverson’s Question Mid for a New GenerationTiffany Day Will Tell You Everything