10 Pieces From AMIRI’s New Collection That Champion Artistry, Craft And Downtown LA

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10 Pieces From AMIRI’s New Collection That Champion Artistry, Craft And Downtown LA

Words by Ms Francine Heath | Photography by Mr Sean Alexander Geraghty | Styling by Ms Sophie Watson

17 May 2021

Mr Mike Amiri has long been inspired by the carefree, rock ‘n’ roll swagger of Los Angeles. In fact, his first studio, back in 2009, was downtown, bang in the middle of the city’s burgeoning art and fashion scene.

The good news is that AMIRI’s love letter to California continues this season, but, delightfully, with an even heavier focus on crafting the perfect combination of comfort, luxury and artistry. The clothes in the lineup resemble very cool, ­yet very real reinterpretations of what you’d spot creatives wearing on the regular as they grab a coffee in the Arts District before going about their day. The fabrics are relaxed, easy and soft, while the colours are bold, punchy and loud – much like LA itself.

Music still plays a key role, of course, and not just in aesthetic influence. DJ and producer The Alchemist – who Amiri has known since his teens – was behind the presentation’s soundtrack for SS21. Ready to take a deep dive into the latest drop? Here are 10 unmissable pieces that have just landed.

01.

The aloha shirt

We’ll kick things off by saying “aloha” to one of our favourite pieces in this roundup. This graphic shirt is cut from faded silk for lightness and has a classic camp collar that’ll instantly transport you to a sandy, sunny shore. Not literally, of course – it (sadly) doesn’t come with a QR code for teleportation. But that’s the demeanour you are bound to adopt when you wear it.

02.

The varsity jacket

Aside from the refined mixture of wool and leather, the thing we like most about this varsity jacket is the detail: namely, that it’s appliquéd with the label’s logo lettering in a vibrant yellow bandana fabric. It hints the basketball influence behind the collection and anchors it with a nice dose of 1990s nostalgia. Tick.

03.

The suede boots

No AMIRI collection would be complete without a seriously stylish pair of boots, would it? Grounded by a block heel that we expect Prince would have approved of, this tan pair mimics worn-in pairs with creases on the uppers. Get maximum mileage out of them by investing in a suede brush and a protective waterproof spray from day-dot. You’ll thank us for it later.

04.

The bleached shorts

What would someone wear while decorating their apartment (or gallery) in downtown LA? These “paint-splattered” shorts, of course. OK, probably not, but that’s a whole vibe we can get on board with. Cut from pure cotton-denim, they’re bleached, faded and distressed by the brand’s artisans who use nifty techniques to get perfectly imperfect results.

05.

The soon-to-be-sold-out sneakers

Whenever you can get your hands on a pair of AMIRI’s best-selling sneakers, do. Hesitation in this instance will only lead to disappointment. Made from buttery leather with athletic mesh linings and bouncy rubber outsoles, the bone appliqués, now a brand signature, are carefully painted at the edges for added definition.

06.

The paisley cardigan

It can be frustrating when your friends seem to effortlessly unearth cool vintage pieces in thrift stores while you end up leaving with nothing but an ill-fitting shirt. We’d swear this cardigan was a bona fide find from the 1970s were it not for the thoroughly modern macro proportions of the paisley pattern that give the game away. (And without the hassle of sifting through never-ending rails.)

07.

The custom tee

Made locally in LA, this cotton T-shirt is the sort that looks even better when you choose a size (or two) up. It’s printed with exaggerated logo lettering and a custom eagle motif that may or may not prompt you to grab an acoustic guitar and start crooning the chorus of “Hotel California”. You’ve been warned.

08.

The bandana jeans

Mike Amiri’s time spent handcrafting stage looks for rock royalty such as Messrs Steven Tyler and Axl Rose is still a heavy influence on his brand’s designs. Exhibit A: these pale-blue jeans are artfully ripped, distressed and torn by hand, then patched with bandana-print leather. They’ll look good with boots or skate shoes, too.

09.

The flannel shirt

Fear not, this isn’t your ordinary flannel shirt – zoom in on the hem to see how it’s been hand-shredded. Cut from soft cotton that’ll work year-round, it’s decorated with faded dégradé checks so it looks lived-in from the off.

10.

The monogram hoodie

Is an iconic designer house even an iconic designer house without its own monogram? Based on Mr Amiri’s initials, this new logo has made its debut for SS21 – an interlocking MA. Embroidered into this green hoodie, it’s shaped with serif edges and matches the white uppercase script at the back. Definitely better with letters.