The stranglehold that social media has on fashion dictates how its trends evolve. When celebrities, athletes, or content creators co-sign a brand, item of clothing, or sneaker, it opens the floodgates for new waves to roll in. One would assume that the best way to infiltrate today’s fashion sphere would require capitalizing on consumers through digital channels, but fledgling clothing brand And Austin believes that presenting its well-crafted garments to the world without seeking too much attention is formulaic. that aligns more with your values. Reuben Perin and Geoffrey Glenister, the brand’s founders and sole employees, want the clothes to speak and let you decide if what they say is worth it.
The Los Angeles-based brand is still in its early stages: It was established in 2020, just before the pandemic hit. Perin and Gleniste are familiar with the ins and outs of the fashion industry from years of design and merchandising experience, and felt they were fluent enough to understand the psychology and methods behind making the clothes they wanted to wear and with. the one that would resonate as Enthusiasts of the American, vintage and military style.
If you google “And Austin” you’ll notice that there’s little information available about the brand’s background. This hidden identity is reflected in the brand’s nickname. “If we couldn’t have a name, we probably would,” says Perin. ‘Austin’ serves as a tribute to one of our designers and the “Y” in front is metaphorical in that clothes will always come first. We also know that our products will never align with Austin, Texas, so it adds this weird, counterbalancing element that we love.”
“We can communicate our individuality through the materials we select and the shapes we cut.”
The design language of a brand is what sets it apart from the rest of the pack. Some brands rely on bold colors and playful graphics to attract their customers, but And Austin stands by its experimental yet familiar approach to design, built on a triad of central pillars: fabric, fit and function. “When we show our new collections, what surprises buyers the most is our ability to create harmony between workwear references and elegant details,” says Perin. “We can communicate our individuality through the materials we select and the shapes we cut.”
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Perin and Glenister’s design process always begins with the fabrics. They are constantly on the lookout for high-quality cottons, nylons, leathers, and fabrics, all sourced from factories in Japan along with Italian-made yarns that are not only pleasant to the touch and feel, but also highly durable. The fit is pronounced through roomier silhouettes that are controlled with well-tailored lengths. And function comes into play thanks to its often used muted, neutral and versatile tones alongside utility-inspired details like storage pockets.
“Our experimental look speaks to the nature of the textiles we select and the contrast between drawing inspiration from traditional workwear.”
The result is clean, timeless pieces that consumers can seamlessly integrate into their daily lives. And Austin references timeless styles that the untrained eye can digest, but reinforces them with subtle nuances that fashion aficionados can appreciate. “We often draw inspiration from the golden era of vintage clothing from the ’40s and ’60s, featuring silhouettes that many people might consider wardrobe staples,” says Glenister. “Our experimental look speaks to the nature of the textiles we select and the contrast between drawing inspiration from traditional workwear.” From there, we are reinterpreting them as more elegant and tailored.
During its three years of activity, And Austin has given life to a large number of garments, but there are some that have served as pillars of the brand. In the outerwear category, the Club Collar Coat is a staple of the label and a prime example of And Austin’s practical yet modernized approach to design. It’s inspired by a 1950s bomber jacket, and while it may look like a regular trench coat from a bird’s eye view, its oversized waist pockets, precise tailoring, and club-style collars elevate it with an edgy aesthetic.
Styles like the Giza Modified Mac and the Trucker Jacket have similar shapes that are comparable to classic work jackets. The former is designed with a unique slant chest pocket, while the latter is made from durable cotton nylon and finished with hollow Cobrax Swiss metal snap buttons for a technical touch. Other crowd favorites include plenty of pleated pants, long-sleeved shirts, and cashmere cardigans. His upcoming FW23 collection sees some staples returning to the forefront in new colorways, while directional tracksuits, fleece coats and additional knitted silhouettes get their chance to show their faces for the first time.
And Austin is currently sold through its own website, as well as through a growing list of retailers spanning the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe. E-commerce platforms offer assistance in terms of getting the brand on other consumers’ radars, but from Perin and Glenister’s point of view, the brand is still best experienced in person, where you can try the products and feel the weight of its top quality materials. and fully appreciate the time and effort that goes into the construction of each piece, a tangible triumph that cannot be replicated through the typical online add-to-cart process.
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Today, tomorrow and well into the future, And Austin intends to produce concise and calculated capsules that emphasize quality and craftsmanship, as well as appeal to the fashion audience, if they choose. “At the end of the day, all design is subjective and personal to each individual user,” says Glenister. “What you decide to do is just as important as how you do it, and we just hope people appreciate what we do and how we do it so we can keep doing it.”