A goggle-clad fox – paws tightly tucked into ski boots and poised with purple ski poles – forms the cartoon emblem of the collaboration between US denim label Citizens of Humanity and fellow LA residents the Haas Brothers.
The collaboration – which includes a swathe of colourful unisex cover-up pieces, such as hoodies and sweatshirts – celebrates the opening of Citizens of Humanity’s first bricks-and-mortar boutique, in Aspen, Colorado. This is the second time the denim label has teamed up with twins Simon and Niki Haas, who are renowned for their imaginative, trippy and cartoonish creations that straddle art and design, and have a down-the-rabbit-hole rigour. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Citizens of Humanity partnered with the Haas Brothers on a range of T-shirts that supported socio-political initiatives championing voting rights, fair governmental elections and LGTBQ rights.
Citizens of Humanity and the Haas Brothers: ‘We’re so high!’
‘We have not participated in traditional fashion collaborations, and feel this partnership with the Haas Brothers is natural and organic to us,’ says Jared Freedman, creative director of branding at Citizens of Humanity. The fleece collection makes for striking apres-ski chic, featuring motifs and typography riffing on wordplay, varsity iconography, psychedelia and cartoons.
‘Niki and Simon are incredibly talented artists, but who they are and what they stand for as people is what we admire most. We’re completely aligned in terms of how we want to contribute positively to the greater good and the world – and as a brand, that is just as important to us as our products.’
This is not the Haas Brothers’ first fantastical fashion link-up. They have also collaborated with luxury Italian fashion house Versace and, in November 2020, on jewellery with London jeweller Jessica McCormack. Of their collaboration with Citizens of Humanity, Niki and Simon say, ‘Aspen is a pretty magic place. We’ve been lucky enough to visit often to teach, work and vacation. It’s for kids and adults, jocks, stoners, ski bums, artists, art collectors, hikers, bikers, jet setters, locals, nomads, students, teachers, philosophers and scientists. It’s a bubble and it’s also amazing. We wanted this collection to really reflect Aspen and all its facets.
‘The great news about Citizens of Humanity and one of the main reasons we collaborate with them, and probably always will, is that they always bring great subjects to the table – community, generosity, sustainability. Any community would be lucky to have them, and we’re really glad we got to help kick it off in Aspen!’
The collection marks the first iteration of Citizens of Humanity’s fleece collection. Just like the Haas Brothers’ cartoon fox, we’re feeling like reaching for our ski poles, goggles and psychedelic sweatshirt.
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