GALLERY DEPT.

November 28, 2024

A One-of-a-Kind Gallery of Vintage Reworks

This isn’t just clothing; it’s art. To GALLERY DEPT., clothing transcends fashion.

  

What Made Them Stand Out?

At first glance, GALLERY DEPT.'s pieces may perplex you. The unfamiliar fits and unconventional designs are unlike anything else in the fashion world. I, for one, have plenty of firsthand experience finding myself puzzled by their paint-splattered tees and avant-garde pants.
The twist is that once you try them on, all doubts vanish. I might’ve passed if skinny fits were still fully in style, but these pieces are definitely different. Filled with eccentricity and complexity, they transform into something magnetic and distinct the moment they’re on. That’s the allure of GALLERY DEPT.
In a sea of fleeting trends, GALLERY DEPT. has endured for precisely this reason. Every time I encounter their pieces, the thought crosses my mind: only this brand could make clothing like this. It’s what sets them apart again and again.
    
Founder of GALLERY DEPT. Josué Thomas ©Josué Thomas Instagram @josuethomas
   

To truly grasp the essence of GALLERY DEPT., you have to dig into its roots. Founded in 2014 and based in LA, this brand is led by none other than Josué Thomas. His artistic flair? Both his parents being artists shows that it runs in the family. In a 2021 interview with COMPLEX, he proudly reflects on the unique perspective he’s inherited.

“I’ve always loved looking at the old clothes my parents collected: my dad’s boots, sneakers, motorcycle jackets, things like that. So from an early age I had an appreciation for the beauty of vintage pieces. They have character and personality.” (COMPLEX, 2021)
ⓒnytimes.com  
  

Before founding the brand, Thomas had a stint as an art director at Ralph Lauren. Yet he always held the dream of being a true creator, crafting clothing with his own hands. The only problem was he lacked the technical skills. Wanting to make clothes unable to actually construct them from scratch, he focused on what he could do: reconstructing pre-existing pieces.

With his unique sensibility, Thomas began transforming vintage garments into new creations. Even before launching the brand, he sold a custom poncho to Johnny Depp's stylist, proving his talent was anything but ordinary. Building on these experiences, he officially debuted in the fashion world by launching GALLERY DEPT. in 2017.

       

The GALLERY DEPT. Atelier in LA ©nytimes.com

   

A Canvas to Paint Yourself

Clothing should be a canvas to express yourself. (Medium, 2024)

Innovation is perhaps the most fitting word to describe GALLERY DEPT.’s pieces. They unapologetically break traditional norms, continuously pushing boundaries. Since its inception, GALLERY DEPT. has been a blend of craftsmanship and individuality. At first glance, these two values seem a little unrelated—how did they come to define this brand’s identity?

         

Take their signature distressed denim, for instance. Over time, wear and tear are almost inevitable in clothing. For GALLERY DEPT. this isn’t a flaw, but a unique beauty that incaptures the passage of time. In an industry often obsessed with flawless perfection, this fresh perspective offers customers a new way of seeing fashion.

        

GALLERY DEPT.'s Denim Line, Brimming with Freshness ©nytimes.com, ©gallerydept.com

 

As skinny silhouettes faded and looser fits took over, GALLERY DEPT.'s pieces found themselves back in the spotlight. Styles they championed since the brand’s inception like their signature flared hems and oversized fits finally got their moment. Their sweatpants which capture both comfort and uniqueness have particularly become a beloved staple for many GALLERY DEPT. fans.

          

Basketball Player P.J. Washington in GALLERY DEPT.'s Flared Sweatpants ©spotern.com, ©gallerydept.com
  

The brand’s popular hoodies and T-shirts follow a similar path. GALLERY DEPT. takes a different route from other brands, enticing a select few through limited editions and small production runs. They don’t mass-produce just because an item sells well; instead, they pour care into each piece, creating unique designs you won’t find elsewhere. This intentional scarcity has become a powerful edge for the brand.

             

ⓒgallerydept.com, ⓒnytimes.com, ⓒpinterest
         

GALLERY DEPT. is particularly loved by artists, and it's easy to see why. Their free-spirited attitude and the brand’s image align perfectly. They’ve cemented their artistic credibility by collaborating with artists like Migos (Offset even appeared in their official lookbook) and boasting fashion world legends like Virgil Abloh as regular customers.

          

Migos Wearing Collaborative Pieces with GALLERY DEPT.

Rapper Offset Featured in the LANVIN X GALLERY DEPT. Lookbook

Virgil Abloh Wearing a GALLERY DEPT. Hoodie ©complex.com

    

The Beautiful Harmony of Fashion and Culture

Among the many stories that make up GALLERY DEPT., the one you simply can’t miss is their collaborations. Why? Because every piece in these collaborations carries their unmistakable signature. You can spot a GALLERY DEPT. collab from a mile away, it’s that distinctive.

       

The 2021 collaboration with LANVIN was particularly unexpected. The union of the prestigious French fashion house and the playful LA brand seemed unlikely at first. But the result was surprisingly harmonious. The bold red LANVIN logo, splattered paint details and rainbow-colored hues on the white sneakers blended together far better than anyone anticipated. The collaboration was a resounding success, and in 2022 they came together again to prove that their unique chemistry was no fluke.

        

GALLERY DEPT. X LANVIN ⓒhypebeast.com
        

Recently, GALLERY DEPT. made waves with a collaboration with UGG by incorporating their signature upcycling techniques. The collection used recycled denim and leather materials staying true to the brand’s commitment to sustainability. We also saw them into the Western trend that gained popularity earlier this year by adding a pair of cowboy boots with eye-catching white stitching to the lineup. Balancing their core identity with current trends, GALLERY DEPT. has proven that they can execute collaborations that are both innovative and on-point. At this point it's safe to call them a go-to for successful partnerships.

            

GALLERY DEPT. X UGG

GALLERY DEPT. X ASICS, GALLERY DEPT. X Mr Porter

GALLERY DEPT. X Vans ⓒhypebeast.com
     
     

"Taking something that others may deem worthless and transforming it into something precious and beautiful, something people will want to hold onto forever—that's always been something I loved doing."

— Josué Thomas

          

Thomas, Recently Immersed in His Artworks ©Josué Thomas Instagram @josuethomas


Authenticity isn’t something grand, it’s simply about practicing what you believe in. That’s enough. In an era flooded with the artificial, it is nice to be reminded as often as possible that there are still people and brands holding on to those beliefs.