BLAST

As RÆBURN began to make its mark internationally, the growing team continued to develop its distinctive approach to responsible design. Central to this was RÆMADE, with the deconstruction, experimentation and manufacture of these pieces taking place in-house which created a direct relationship between material, design and making that remains fundamental to RÆBURN today.

RÆMADE pieces were constructed entirely from original military materials sourced across Europe. A three-quarter coat used heavy 1940s Swedish military wool; a Pop-Out Jacket combined a deconstructed Swiss military mac with a German parka liner; a duffle coat transformed Danish military trousers with leather reclaimed from German naval jackets; while rubberised ponchos, military transit blankets and other existing materials were dismantled and reconstructed into entirely new forms.

Alongside RÆMADE, the collection developed the studio's signature parachute garments through parkas, ponchos, hoodies and windcheaters incorporating mesh, grosgrain taping and integrated pack-away functionality.

Working with Swiss-based artists Geoffrey Cottenceau and Romain Rousset, BLAST moved beyond traditional fashion imagery into a more conceptual visual language;  crossing into art, image-making and film while retaining the intelligence and playfulness that were becoming important characteristics of the RÆBURN world.

Their approach introduced humour, movement and surrealism into the functional world of RÆBURN, creating an unexpected counterpoint to the precision of the garments themselves. The collaboration also demonstrated an early willingness to look outside fashion for creative perspectives — Cottenceau and Rousset were established within contemporary visual art and photography, with their work also supported and exhibited through the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès. Film became another important part of the project; it provided a different way to explore the garments, characters and ideas surrounding BLAST, bringing movement, atmosphere and another dimension to the collection's creative language.

Seen today, BLAST represents an important moment in the development of a broader RÆBURN creative ecosystem.

Product, materials, making, art, photography and film became interconnected touchpoints — each offering a different way to experiment, communicate and learn. A way of continually testing ideas and allowing one creative discipline to inform another. 

That structure would become increasingly important as RÆBURN evolved: research deeply, make with purpose, look beyond the expected and use each project as an opportunity to learn what might come next.

Many of these principles still define the way RÆBURN works today.