Antecedents.
The house takes as its inheritance the garments of the men who made the conditions. It makes no judgement. It keeps the record.
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i.MCMXCVIII
The Black Turtleneck.
A fine-gauge mock-neck in merino, worn with relaxed dark denim and a waist-cinched belt. Reissued annually without variation.
The first uniform. All subsequent uniforms are a commentary.
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ii.MMIX
The Aloha Shirt.
A printed rayon short-sleeve, cut generously, worn open over an undershirt. Patterned in hibiscus, pineapple, or the coastline of Oahu.
Worn in every room. The room did not object.
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iii.MMXV
The Vest.
A full-zip recycled fleece in slate grey or navy. Stand collar. Left chest reserved for a single line of institutional embroidery. Issued to principals.
The wearer does not name the fund. The vest names the fund.
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iv.MMXIV
The Grey Tee.
A crewneck in medium-weight combed cotton, cut close to the body. Worn with straight dark denim and low trainers. Acquired in quantities of twenty.
The closet is the proof of concept.
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v.MMXXIII
The Leather Jacket.
A full-grain black calfskin biker, quilted at the shoulder, zipped to the chin. Worn indoors, in temperate climates, on stages of any size.
The moat is leather. The founder signs each.
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vi.MMXXIV
The Double Polo.
Two heavy combed-cotton polos, worn one on top of the other. Ecru beneath. Lemon or cornflower over. Both collars visible on the neck simultaneously.
Two collars. One man. No explanation.
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vii.MMXXV
The Oversized Tee and Chain.
A very large white cotton tee, hem falling to mid-thigh. A heavy flat gold curb chain, worn outside the tee. Baggy shorts. Trained for in a private gymnasium on Tuesdays.
Personality, refreshed.
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viii.MMXXV
The Cowboy Hat.
A felt ten-gallon in black or rust, worn at a slight forward cant. Paired with a heavyweight cotton tee and dark denim. Neither rural nor equestrian.
The frontier is reopened, by press release.
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ix.MMXXVI
The Garment Not Yet Identified.
Shape, fibre, and occasion remain pending. The form is not yet apparent. The room in which it will first be seen is, at present, unoccupied.
The house is patient. The record awaits revision.
Appendix B
The Unworn.
- The necktie.
- The suit jacket.
- The lapel pin.
- The wristwatch, declared.
- The logo.
- The expression of doubt.
The house notes the omissions.
The house takes no position on its antecedents. It has, however, read the record.
Antecedents is available as a letterpress leaflet.
Eight pages, hairline rule. Edition of fifty.
Enquire: hello@hayes.press, subject “Antecedents.”