SILAS ADLER
Creative Director
Silas spent the majority of his teenage and adult years absorbing the city of Copenhagen, and though not originally born there, he considers the city home. In 2002, Silas founded the clothing brand Soulland. During that time was also a founding partner for the perfume brand 19-69. While he has since stepped away from Soulland, he continues to work on 19-69's brand strategy.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
How were you originally introduced to the fashion industry?
It was via skateboarding. Just seeing how the skate brands started to evolve around the [new] millennium. I wanted to be a part of that, so I started making t-shirts.
Interesting you mention this as your entry into fashion. Skateboarding, and grunge, were everything back in the nineties and early 2000's. If you wanted to fit in, you dressed like a skater...but it had to be authentic. Do you think that this authenticity has remained?
Yes and no. A lot of the style and clothing from skate culture is now a part of the everyday wardrobe. The same way clothing from a bunch of other subcultures [has become everyday wear]. If you go deep, you can’t really fake it when it comes to actually skating. I don’t think it’s an issue in skateboarding that people wear the brands and don’t skate. The scene is not as closed off anymore, that’s very positive!
From our conversations and your work it's clear skate culture is a major influence in your career. Where else do you draw inspiration?
I think nature is number one for me. I live close to both the forest and the ocean, so I’m in nature every day. It’s the most effective reset of energy for me. One of the most amazing parts about nature is that it never looks the same. It always gives you a new experience.
On the other end of the spectrum, what are some opportunities or challenges you've seen?
The internet and social media. A beast and a friend at the same time. I don’t like that the pace [is] too fast and attention to detail often gets lost.
Do you foresee a future where the beast no longer needs to be a friend? Or vice-versa?
I think we would all be healthier if we owned our own masters. The reason why it’s so unhealthy is because you are a visitor. They can throw you out or award you if you are not following the rules, and they don’t tell you the rules. There is no real ownership.
That's a really unique perspective. Zooming out from there, do you believe the industry as a whole has evolved?
That’s a big question with a lot of answers. You know what, if you really went deep and looked at it from a more practical and scientific point of view, I don’t think the change is as big as we think. Over the past 30 years [it's] the same people in power [and] the same rulebooks. Maybe the cover is new, but at the core, it’s the same. Prada then [is] Prada now. The internet gives everybody access, but it’s still the same platforms in power more or less.
Your most prized wardrobe item at the moment?
I have this black shirt I probably wear 6 days a week. It's wool so it always looks perfect!
We'd love to know more! Who’s it by? Maybe this is a hack!
It’s a shirt I designed when I was at Soulland. It’s a black deadstock fabric I found in Prato, Italy. I think it’s leftover fabric from Tom Ford. It’s a bit oversized, and the fabric does not crinkle. The only rule is “no wash, no machine, no hand wash”. Only air it. Perfect!
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