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It’s been 10 years since Griffin upped sticks and left London to truly live the lifestyle the brand represented. So much has been achieved in the 16 years since the brand launched and we felt that now would be a good time to revisit our history and highlights.
1994
Jeff returns from Italy to launch Griffin Laundry. The idea was a mix of British styles that offered concept-led garments and an alternative look to the fashion followers market yet produced to the highest quality. Entitled ‘Empire Made’, the debut collection looked at the strong British tribal styles with inspiration taken from Nick Knight’s book the ‘Dandies and Skins’. Griffin's mix of military and utiliarian inspirations began from the very first collection and quickly became Griffin's signature. The launch placed the brand in the highest distribution level to a number of international stockists.
1995
Griffin wins the new designer award for the B.K.C.E.C for export. Griffin-studio.com is launched at the Design Council in London showing the future of fashion, this made Griffin one of the first fashion designer’s to present his collection online. The first Japanese installation is presented through the website.
1996
Griffin Laundry’s first catwalk show in Paris, the ‘Mad Scientist’ followed by ‘The Man Who Fell To Earth’. Using high end washed tailoring with gun shot holes. Jason Statham opened the show, then an unknown actor, but later became the star of films such as Transporter and Snatch.
1997
Griffin was launched in Paris with the collection ‘Bangkok Airport’ in the streets of Bastille, for the winter Griffin did its first London Fashion Week, with this we decided that we wanted to look more to seasonal installations in place of catwalk shows.
1998
Griffin collaborates with Mandarina Duck. In February of ‘98 we launched our BI-Ocular Exhibition in Soho London. This ran for 4 weeks and received great acclaim. The Griffin sleeping bag coat, the Bearskin, the Archback styles were all born this season, all of which received much press attention. Griffin joined forces with Style in Tokyo to establish distribution of the Griffin label across Japan.
1999
Griffin collaborated with Donald Christie on a film for Channel 4. Other designers involved were Comme Des Garcons. The film was previewed in Soho on a bank of televisions in our new installation Norfolk 30.01.99. The fall collection was 'Pods and Boxes'. Griffin worked with Mandarina Duck launching their first menswear collection. Worked with LVMH on new concept for Kenzo lifestyle. Installation with Jones's in London for Fashion Week. Griffin production moves to a famous factory in the North of Italy who also produces Prada, Armani, and Dior. Installation in Barneys Shinjuku based on the first Griffin store.
2000
Griffin opened its first store on Portobello Rd, London. Designed by El Ultimo Grito, as a playground for ideas. Launched with “Lost in the Forest” and “To get ahead get a Horse” collections that demonstrated the fun side of fashion. We designed and built a new installation at Barneys Yokohama an “Englishman’s Dream in Tokyo.” We moved the design studio and our lives to a rural location in the middle of Salisbury Plain close to Stonehenge.
2001
The first collection since moving out of London was entitled “Summer Solstice” and followed with “Dictate Peace”, this was a massive move for an Urban Sportswear Brand like Griffin from the Portobello Road to the open fields of the Wiltshire countryside. This was reflected in the style, we also looked to working more closely with local suppliers and manufacturers in England. Barney’s, Tokyo invite Griffin to create an in store installation along with a joint evening event.
2002
‘Wrong War’ was a collaboration between Griffin, Banksy, Massive Attack and CND at the start of the lraq war. Griffin opened its first store in Tokyo, again designed with El Ultimo Grito. Griffin also sponsored a Griffin X Banksy exhibition in the heart of Paris. 2002 also see Griffin nominated as one of the world's top 150 designers by I.D Magazine's, Fashion Now.
2003
Griffin collaborated with CND, Dazed and Confused and Banksy in an exhibition. We started working with Peter Kennard the famous Protest Photomontage artist. A man who we respect very much. Griffin moved its installation to Paris, working with Surface to Air. Designed by El Ultimo Grito the installation then moved on to United Arrows in Tokyo.
2004
Griffin womenswear collection is launched along with a collaboration with the British Boxing brand Lonsdale as a part of the ‘Love and Peace’ collection.
2005
Baracuta and Griffin came together to create a vintage slim fit G9 in a British Army Camo, only available at Dover Street Market, Collette and the Griffin Stores. We also worked with the sportswear brand Nike to create the co-lab label ‘Love Life‘.
2006
The Griffin Guerrilla store opened in Soho London. To celebrate our collaboration with the provocative protest artist Peter Kennard. The exhibition was held in store through December and January.
2007
Griffin continues it's strong relationship with the British art world through a collaboration with the Radiohead artist Stanley Donwood. Griffin joins forces with Berghaus with an exclusive collaboration for the Asian market. September 2007 also saw the second Griffin Guerrilla store open in the heart of London’s west end.
2008
Made in England range is launched, working with great local manufacturers and brands to highlight the importance of supporting British manufacturing, these collaborations include the Baracuta, Mackintosh, Andrew Shayne and Butterworth & Roberts, Griffin X Parkour features the A/W 08 collection worn by free running experts in a photoshoot put together by The Vast Agency.
2009
Griffin collaborates with the bicycle company Charge to produce a Limited Edition Fixed Gear bike, the Griffin Plug. Famed fixed gear rider Super Ted and Posy Dixon feature in the Griffin Photoshoot. Griffin X Berghaus collection is launched into the UK market.
2010
Griffin teams up with English fabric mill British Millerain for the s/s 10 season. A/W 10 sees the Griffin welcome advancements in fabric technologies creating a collection that merges traditional fabrics with new technologies as well as a collaboration with American fabric mill Woolrich.
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