Key Categories

There are key categories of items in techwear. Every designer make all of this with rare exceptions.

Outerwear

Jackets are probably what come to mind first when you think of techwear. There are two types of jackets in techwear - hardshell and softshell. 

Hardshells provides the most weather protection and are fully windproof, waterproof and breathable. You easily can use it in heavy downpour or in snow. This type of outwear protects really well.


Softshells have a DWR (durable waterproof coating) that repels light precipitation, like clothes for winter sports. Softshell jackets often prefer comfort, breathability and movement (compared to the crunchy texture of hardshells) but don't protect you in hard weather so cool.

Mid-Layers

Mid-layers always perform the function of saving heat under a shell. These can be including in different forms from down vests to hoodies to insulating shirts and fleeces. Some pieces will have removable mid-layers and liners that can be swapped in and out of shells, usually through some type of zipper or buttoning system.

So It is all for today. I wrote short post but I think I represented big groups rather say key categories of techwear clothes. I will finish narrate about key categories next time. There are four huge groups of them. 

And of course I present another interview about the most famous person in techwear I think. I heard about him when I didn't know about techwear. In my opinion it's funny. 

Bryan Lee (@originalprogram//@acrhive.blee//@acrhive)

Can you point us to the origins of the techwear subculture?

For me, it all started when I read about ACRONYM on Beinghunted’s site started by the legendary Jörg Haas. It’s where Acronym was sold through The-Glade before it changed to Firmament Berlin. This was back in 2004.

I suppose it has been underground for many years. A lot of people didn’t quite understand it, few could afford it, but the innovation of use became apparent year-after-year. For me, I literally can’t wear another pair of pants if there isn’t a phone pocket on my right leg. I feel naked.

All of this and more began when I moved to NYC in 2002 and began collecting sneakers, to collecting Recon, Alife, Nom De Guerre, BAPE, Supreme, etc. I used a lot of these collector’s pieces and sold them off to afford to buy ACRONYM pieces.

It wasn’t until I finally joined the superfuture forum and found a network of enthusiasts like myself. Reading, discovering, and lurking about brands like Arc’teryx Veilance, ACRONYM, Nom De Guerre, and the likes. I never fully immersed myself until around 2013. Reaching out to members and finally revealing the collection I’ve owned for so many year, which led to being a founding member of another private chat group unpublicized til this day.

If I think more and more about the “techwear subculture.” I haven’t really thought about it like that (referring to the name). I look at it like it’s part of my life now — a utilitarian tool if you will. Others, besides ACRONYM, simply haven’t broken it down in the form of what you wear is the ease of use that you have in your daily life.

As the main architect behind the ACRHIVE® Instagram page, what did you hope to accomplish when you initially created the account?

For one, I can’t take full credit for this name since it was started by a fellow who created a website for reference purposes. But it’s all legally owned by me now for the IG account.

The main purpose of starting the account in the first place was to see fit pics of people actually wearing the product I’ve collected for so many years. Since the subculture was never really tangible in the sense of any other marketing materials from ACRONYM other than their own fits that are shot professionally in a studio. I wanted to see how it was reflected in actual environments. Which led to seeing examples of how collectors use the product for themselves. Meaning it could be ACRONYM head to toe, to mixing it with other brands. All the way to exploring cyberpunk, military, concept art and whatever interesting looks users can conjure up.

I’d say it’s still thriving, and the network has definitely blown up in terms of networking. After starting this, I can’t believe how many people I’ve met and come across who are very inspiring in looks that they put together, as well as what they do as their day job. There are other plans for this as the vision has evolved but I’ll stop there.

You’re also a creative director and seasoned graphic designer. How much of your own personal aesthetic finds its way to your commissioned works?

I wish the way I dressed found its way more into my work, but it has only been able to pave the way for certain projects based on the type of work I get to work on, on a daily basis. A lot of what I do is either for tech companies, corporate and/or marketing materials. I have only worked on a few gaming projects that have the sci-fi, fantasy feel. Though I am currently working on some projects under wraps that will hopefully see the light of day once I complete them. If anything, I’m looking forward to collaborating on projects with fellow designers, VFX artists, illustrators, etc.For me, I literally can’t wear another pair of pants if there isn’t a phone pocket on my right leg. I feel naked.