Off-White and Jean-Michel Basquiat is What Streetwear Dreams are Made Of

There are other places where you can get a piece of Jean-Michel Basquiat (the museum, the Internet, other collabs), but consider how this particular combination of the legendary New York artist and fashion label Off-White is perfectly matched. 

Basquiat's graffiti-style art, often inhabited by bug-eyed figures, infused with aggressive colors, and tagged with scribbles, runs close to Off-White's street-ready pieces, which like the artist's works, are filled with pop culture references and the engimatic cool of being young.

In fact, Off-White refers to the set as “part tribute, part collaboration.” Made with the guidance of Virgil Abloh, one of the hottest designers on the planet right now (he's also the men's creative director of French fashion house Louis Vuitton), some pieces serve as straightforward canvases for Basquiat's art, making you, its wearer, a living vessel for his works. 

Others marry the style of Basquiat and Off-White as when the artist's tags are presented with the brand's meta labeling. The label, of course, is “Post Modern.”

Our pick: The black T-shirt is the most glorious expression, as its back is almost covered in a startling skull (yellow eyes, red mouth, all creepy), similar to Basquiat's iconic “Untitled (Skull)” from 1981. If you want something more accessible, there are also iPhone cases with the artist's doodle figure. 

As always, expect the lines to be long on drop day. Bring snacks. See more below.  

Off-White

The Off-White x Jean-Michel Basquiat collection arrives on January 12, Saturday at Off-White, 8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Drive, Makati