69 is known for creating unconventional clothes. This season’s presentation-meets-gallery-opening followed suit: giant denim pieces backdropped denim-clad models who circled a crowded gallery space on the West Side. Here, OCNY’s (and XXBC designer) Alex Lee recounts the event from the inside—as a model outfitted in what he calls a “hater-blocker”—including a few cameos from OC’s extended fam.
It was set in an art gallery and set up like a gallery opening. The walls were stripped bare, models wore the art on their backs, and show-goers had free reign to as much flash photography as they pleased. It was the 69 show, at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise in the West Village, and it was the chillest fashion show we had ever been to.
Will Thompson (the other half of XXBC) met the designer of 69 (who has managed to remain relatively anonymous, despite absolutely owning the denim game since 2011) at OC about a year ago. Since then, he’s accumulated an impressive collection of some of the brand’s swaggiest garments. When we caught wind that the LA-based label was planning its first show in New York and looking for models, Will and I agreed that we had to be a part of that shit!
I wore this roomy denim onesie with a really long neck that doubled as a hood/hater-blocker. I decided to wear it as a turtleneck since the room was full of cool people and very few haters. I didn’t really look in a mirror after I put it on, but I’m pretty sure I looked like a wizard, a baby with an eerily advanced sense of style, or a flying squirrel—all good options. Will managed to snag a white denim hooded zip-up jacket and some simple (by 69’s standards) denim trousers. He paired it with a denim belt that looked like something you’d wear for a third-grade game of capture the flag. He also donned a chunky knit denim beanie. Yeah, knit denim.
After we dressed and helped steam some of the clothing backstage, we were simply instructed to “mingle.” So mingle we did. The models were friends of 69 or friends of friends of 69. Some of the models were even designers themselves, like Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta of Eckhaus Latta and Gerlan Marcel of Gerlan Jeans. The gigantic denim button-up display provided plenty of Kodak moments for the models and guests, along with a braided denim kimono that further blurred the line between art and clothing.
The thing about 69 is that it’s super versatile and looks good on just about anyone. That’s not only a testament to the broad appeal of the denim fabric, but it also proves how well our anonymous friend at 69 has managed to create this truly universal, truly unisex and truly non-demographic clothing line that anyone can wear and everyone can appreciate. The number of styles on display—the so widely varied manipulation of such a familiar fabric—was so impressive and inspirational. Yep, I said it: I was inspired!
I’m honored to have been a part of the 69 show. It’s a brand I really believe in—one I can stand behind wholeheartedly. It’s made in the USA, it’s super unique and artful, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.![]()
"I wore this roomy denim onesie with a really long neck that doubled as a hood/hater-blocker," says Alex. Photos by Alex Lee![]()
William Thompson
It was set in an art gallery and set up like a gallery opening. The walls were stripped bare, models wore the art on their backs, and show-goers had free reign to as much flash photography as they pleased. It was the 69 show, at Gavin Brown’s Enterprise in the West Village, and it was the chillest fashion show we had ever been to.
Will Thompson (the other half of XXBC) met the designer of 69 (who has managed to remain relatively anonymous, despite absolutely owning the denim game since 2011) at OC about a year ago. Since then, he’s accumulated an impressive collection of some of the brand’s swaggiest garments. When we caught wind that the LA-based label was planning its first show in New York and looking for models, Will and I agreed that we had to be a part of that shit!
I wore this roomy denim onesie with a really long neck that doubled as a hood/hater-blocker. I decided to wear it as a turtleneck since the room was full of cool people and very few haters. I didn’t really look in a mirror after I put it on, but I’m pretty sure I looked like a wizard, a baby with an eerily advanced sense of style, or a flying squirrel—all good options. Will managed to snag a white denim hooded zip-up jacket and some simple (by 69’s standards) denim trousers. He paired it with a denim belt that looked like something you’d wear for a third-grade game of capture the flag. He also donned a chunky knit denim beanie. Yeah, knit denim.
After we dressed and helped steam some of the clothing backstage, we were simply instructed to “mingle.” So mingle we did. The models were friends of 69 or friends of friends of 69. Some of the models were even designers themselves, like Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta of Eckhaus Latta and Gerlan Marcel of Gerlan Jeans. The gigantic denim button-up display provided plenty of Kodak moments for the models and guests, along with a braided denim kimono that further blurred the line between art and clothing.
The thing about 69 is that it’s super versatile and looks good on just about anyone. That’s not only a testament to the broad appeal of the denim fabric, but it also proves how well our anonymous friend at 69 has managed to create this truly universal, truly unisex and truly non-demographic clothing line that anyone can wear and everyone can appreciate. The number of styles on display—the so widely varied manipulation of such a familiar fabric—was so impressive and inspirational. Yep, I said it: I was inspired!
I’m honored to have been a part of the 69 show. It’s a brand I really believe in—one I can stand behind wholeheartedly. It’s made in the USA, it’s super unique and artful, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
"I wore this roomy denim onesie with a really long neck that doubled as a hood/hater-blocker," says Alex. Photos by Alex Lee
William Thompson