Special Release: Oakley by Samuel Ross Season 1

Fusing industrial design codes with high-tech outdoors. [socials/]

Ex-DONDA employee and former assistant to Virgl Abloh, Samuel Ross, might be best known as the designer of his label A-COLD-WALL*. Along his long trajectory of collaborative projects, there hasn't been any as surprising as his latest Oakley by Samuel Ross Season 1 capsule. When asked about what drew him into the unlikely collaboration, Ross expressed that his initial interest lay in Oakley's attention to detail in textiles and openness to innovation. The inaugural collaboration sees Ross shifting gears considerably; where there is often a deep underlying social commentary with A-COLD-WALL*, Oakley by Samuel Ross is more about the outdoors. Ross walks a thin line between avant-garde and functional, where familiar industrial design codes take form in highly modified backpacks and jackets, protective goggles, reflective pants and fanny packs, to name a few.

Among the concise collection, the Oakley by Samuel Ross Silver Track Pants OSR is a highlighted piece. In addition to its reflective polyamide textile, the pants feature velcro grosgrain webbing that runs down the left leg and drawcord hem cuffs alongside its invisible front zippers. Another key piece is the Metallic Backpack OSR: Equipped with a single shoulder strap, multi-functional buckle and eyewear pockets, while minimal Oakley branding sits atop Samuel Ross' signature. Overall, the garments have been oriented through extensive testing and are developed to perform through specific styles and hardware.