ARK/8 BLENDS GAMING’S FUTURISM WITH HIGH-FASHION SENSIBILITIES

THE BRAND’S AW23 RANGE HONES IN ON THE CREATIVITY OF THE GAMING WORLD.

ARK/8 is carving a unique lane in luxury fashion. Founded in 2019 by Dimitri van Eetvelde with the aim to merge the worlds of gaming and garments, the label is built around the freedom of self-expression. As gaming becomes more of a widespread phenomena, ARK/8 looks to tap into the community’s multifaceted and diverse qualities. Where conventional labels producing gaming-inspired garments often lack the craftsmanship to attract a credible fashion audience - the brand’s vision is to transform the idea of “merch” into elevated, wearable pieces that appeal to a wide demographic, piquing the interests of avid gamers and style enthusiasts alike. Having collaborated with illustrious gaming franchises such as Resident Evil, Overwatch, and Dark Souls, to name a few, the label blends the iconography of pop culture with high fashion sensibilities – utilizing luxury fabrics, sleek silhouettes, and bold graphics to create ready-to-wear collections. For its AW23 range, ARK/8 looks to further its imprint into the gaming and fashion worlds. Delving into the endless opportunities found within the space, the label has partnered with an array of notable series’ and leading figures in the industry. “The overarching theme of our AW23 collection is exploration and discovery,” van Eatvelde says of the new collection. “Due to my mixed heritage, I’ve spent months in Asia and the US as a result. Traveling is now part of my DNA.”

THE LANDS BETWEEN

ENTER A WORLD OF FANTASY

Inspired by the cult-classic ELDEN RING™, ARK/8 introduces the first drop of its AW23 collection titled “The Lands Between,” after the game’s vast domain. Translating its gameplay into a nine-piece ready-to-wear range, this drop boasts an array of genderless garments including bomber jackets, contemporary shirts as well as graphic T-shirts and hoodies. The label also offers a whimsical adaptation of “The Lands Between” interactive map reimagined into a unique all-over print that unites fantasy with high fashion as well as seeing references to its antagonist Queen Marika and the boss door that completes each level.

OUTERWEAR A Faux Fur Runes Coat and Printed Bomber Jacket form the “The Lands Between” outwear offering. The former boasts an ECOPEL faux fur fabric featuring the collection’s stand-out all-over ELDEN RING™ map as lining, as well as a faux leather patch on the upper back with an embossed Rune motif. Crafted utilizing luxury Italian recycled polyamide, the boxy Bomber Jacket arrives in the complete all-over print, rounded off with fine details such as a dual-branded LAMPO zip in a chrome finish.

“ I SEE MY WORK AS A LABOR OF LOVE AND A REAL-LIFE EXTENSION OF THE INFINITE WORLDS THAT HAVE ALWAYS INSPIRED ME AND MILLIONS OF OTHER FANS

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DIMITRI VAN EETVELDE

SWEATERS Both the hoodie and sweater garments are constructed from a heavyweight organic cotton fleece make-up. Featuring “Tarnished” tonal embroidery emblazoned on the chest, the destroyed material gives a vintage-inspired aesthetic, and whilst raw hems continue its distressed look, the pieces maintain their boxy structure. The Boss Mist Oversized Sweater arrives in another of the collection’s unique prints. Utilizing the same heavyweight organic cotton fleece fabric, this piece’s bold yellow hues and dual-branded ELDEN RING™ and ARK/8 sleeve prints are a stand-out addition to this collection.

SHIRTS Tapping into the game’s main antagonist Queen Marika, the range’s shirt offering comes in both a white long-sleeve organic cotton as well as a black short-sleeve viscose satin iterations. With the character’s graphic print adorning the back as well as dual-branded prints on the sleeves — both shirts’ oversized silhouettes offer a versatility that is designed to make a statement both dressed up or down.

Rounding off the collection is the Boss Door T-shirt. Its oversized fit, heavyweight organic cotton jersey make-up, and minimal front branding make it a perfect essential piece to complement any wardrobe. A prominent back graphic – reimagining the game’s iconic boss door – taps into the ELDEN RING™ fanbase as well as the dual-branded sleeve detailing, seen across “The Lands Between” collection, completes this T-shirt’s design.

THE LANDS BETWEEN