Summary:
- One Block Down's FW25 collection draws from medieval European history, winter sports archives, and niche athletic disciplines like ice hockey and ice polo.
- Milan serves as the conceptual center, positioned as a contemporary city-state connecting to its medieval past and European identity.
- The collection uses vintage hockey jerseys, historic team graphics, and medieval imagery as design elements for streetwear pieces.
One Block Down has released its Fall/Winter 2025 collection on December 18, focusing on European cultural archives and winter sports history. The brand positions Milan as the collection's geographic and symbolic anchor.
The collection examines ice hockey as its primary research area. The brand studied historical uniforms, team numbers, crests, and construction methods from hockey archives. These elements appear on hoodies and tops that reference classic hockey jerseys. Bold graphics, distinct fonts, and recognizable visual markers define the pieces.
Winter sports beyond mainstream hockey inform the collection. Ice polo, a less common discipline with roots in European sporting culture, adds to the athletic references. The brand incorporates visual elements from vintage sports sponsorships. Logos, text placements, and graphic positioning from historical team uniforms appear on select pieces.
Medieval European history provides the collection's symbolic framework. Tapestries, historical iconography, and figures like Joan of Arc influence the graphic language. The concept of armor shapes the approach to volume and layering. Each piece functions as a form of protection, connecting to the protective gear used in winter sports.
Milan's role extends beyond geography. The brand treats the city as a contemporary city-state, linking to its medieval identity and historical position in Europe. This framing connects the collection to broader European subcultures and movements.
The medieval period influences structure rather than surface aesthetics. Armor construction, heraldic emblems, visual hierarchies, and concepts of belonging from that era inform the design approach. The brand updates these elements for contemporary wear.
Winter sports provide a shared European cultural language. Team dynamics, historic sponsor relationships, numbering systems, and unwritten rules from these disciplines shape the collection's visual identity. The brand treats these sports as cultural systems rather than entertainment spectacles.
The collection addresses people familiar with these cultural codes. Design, graphics, and cultural content work together to express identity and belonging. The pieces function as recognition markers within a community that shares these references.
Streetwear construction meets archival research. The brand examines historical sources, filters them through its design process, and introduces them into contemporary fashion. This method treats cultural history as active material rather than static reference.
Each element carries specific meaning within the collection's system. Hockey jerseys become lifestyle pieces. Medieval symbols translate to modern graphics. Winter sports imagery connects to urban environments. The collection builds connections between past and present through clothing.
The brand states the collection develops as a layered project where history, sports, and European subcultures meet contemporary streetwear language. Protection and identity, concepts from both medieval armor and sports uniforms, form the collection's thematic core.
The pieces range from hockey-inspired tops with marked numbers to items featuring medieval graphic interpretations. Layering techniques reflect both armor construction and winter sports functionality. The collection treats clothing as both physical protection and symbolic expression.
One Block Down positions FW25 as an exploration of European cultural memory through streetwear. The collection transforms ice and winter sports into urban fashion elements, with Milan as the symbolic center point.
Staff
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