NONSSENSE: Purple State Fashion
TORSO and Douglas Coupland’s Social X-Ray of Post-Millennial Behavior
- Photography: TORSO
- Text: Douglas Coupland
In a fake news anthropological study for SSENSE, TORSO charts the suburbs of Ohio, home to both Abercrombie & Fitch and America’s most swing electorate. With a libretto by Douglas Coupland, Generation X author, the story explores the futuristic, post-millennial potential of the space outside of cities. To be in a purple state is to be stuck in binaries, hounded by targeted advertising, insurance markets, and political polling. Statistics rely on the idea that data can reify normalcy. But what if you could create your own bell curve far outside of the mainstream?
In the peripheral space, previously obscured hiding places reveal themselves. Technological change is accelerating in the rural intermediate, where identity goes beyond consumer category, a generation is more than a cultural moment packaged and commodified. Is technology designed to protect us from politics? Or vice versa? What is keeping us from being headless rather than just acting headless? To be a moving target is to minimize the potential for contact with malevolence.
Featured In This Image: Thom Browne cardigan, Thom Browne pullover, Reebok Classics sneakers, Reebok Classics sneakers, Vetements pants, Balenciaga jeans, Off-White jeans.
Image (Left): Balenciaga sweater. Image (Right): Reebok Classics sneakers, Versace vest, Balenciaga jeans, Kappa jacket, Kappa pants,Thom Browne dress and Balenciaga gloves.
Featured In This Image: Thom Browne cardigan, Thom Browne pullover, Reebok Classics sneakers, Reebok Classics sneakers, Vetements pants, Balenciaga jeans, Off-White jeans.
Model wears Sies Marjan crewneck.
Featured In This Image: Marni jacket, Maison Margiela turtleneck and Marcelo Burlon County of Milan t-shirt.
Model wears Marcelo Burlon County of Milan t-shirt.
Model (Middle) wears Sies Marjan crewnecks, Gucci leggings and Reebok Classics sneakers.
Featured In This Image: Marcelo Burlon County of Milan t-shirt.
Model wears Heron Preston t-shirt.
Model wears Maison Margiela turtleneck.
Model wears Eckhaus Latta crewneck and Reebok Classics sneakers.
Model wears Sies Marjan dress.
Model (Left) wears Sies Marjan turtleneck. Model (Right) wears Sies Marjan drress.
Model (Left) wears Sies Marjan turtleneck. Model (Right) wears Sies Marjan dress.
Model (Left) wears Solid & Striped bikini and Off-White jeans. Model (Right) wears Off-White jacket and Off-White jeans.
Model wears Saint Laurent polo.
Model wears Sies Marjan turtleneck, Rick Owens hat and Maison Margiela pouch.
Model (Left) wears Gucci sandals and Off-White t-shirt. Model (Right) wears Off-White t-shirt.
Model wears Gucci sandals and Off-White t-shirt.
Model (Left) wears Reebok Classics sneakers and Gucci jacket. Model (Right) wears Reebok Classics sneakers, Thom Browne pullover and Off-White jeans.
Model wears Off-White bomber jacket and Gucci hat.
Model wears Sies Marjan turtleneck.
Image (Left): Kappa jacket and Balenciaga boots. Image (Right): Kappa jacket and Balenciaga gloves.
Featured In This Image: Kappa jacket.
Model wears Heron Preston t-shirt.
Featured In This Image: Miu Miu heels, Saint Laurent boots, Thom Browne coat and Givenchy tie.
Featured In This Image: Versace vest, Thom Browne dress and Kappa jacket.
Model wears Yeezy boots and Maison Margiela turtleneck.
Featured In This Image: Gucci backpack.
Model wears Rick Owens vest.
Featured In This Image: Balenciaga sweater.
Featured In This Image: Sies Marjan crewneck and Marcelo Burlon County of Milan t-shirt.
Model (Left) wears Reebok Classics sneakers, Sies Marjan crewnecks and Gucci leggings. Model (Right) wears Gucci sandals, Marni jacket and Gucci socks.
Model (Left) wears Sies Marjan crewnecks and Gucci leggings. Model (Right) wears Eckhaus Latta t-shirt.
Featured In This Image: Gucci sandals, Gucci shorts and Gucci socks.
- Photography: TORSO
- Text: Douglas Coupland
- Hair and Makeup: Dan Frey and Lauren Arielle
- Drone Operator: Lizzie and Sergio
- Models: Byron, Carter / Heyman Talent, Casey Jane, Erika, Judi / Heyman Talent, Lily Elizabeth, Lucy / Wings, Matt / MTM, Columbus, Pop, Temitayo, Tyler, Whitney / MTM Columbus, Zeyad / MTM Columbus
- Special Thanks To: Ryan, Lizzie, Sergio, Leilah, Casey, and Adam
