After taking one of the most noteworthy streetwear shops in the business, it’s pretty clear that Union owner Chris Gibbs has built one of the most coveted wardrobes in streetwear.
Even throughout the boom of the digital age, Gibbs’ iconic La Brea storefront has earned the reputation of being the go-to destination for reputable streetwear merchandise. Selling brands like OFF-WHITE, visvim, John Elliott, Thom Browne, and a host of others, this unassuming location even goes beyond streetwear, selling Japanese and vintage-inspired brands that you can only find there.
Only until recently was it that the shop started offering its own branded apparel offering, sourcing the finest fabrics that Japan has to offer while factoring in the staple silhouettes that everyone can see fitting in their own wardrobe.
Being in this business for over 20 years might lead one to think that someone at this level might have a knockout wardrobe. And Chris Gibbs clearly does. Despite the shop having its own branded line, Gibbs is pulling off some of the most impressive looks in streetwear from some of the most immaculate brands that you’ve probably never even heard of – likely because they’re straight from Japan that is.
The Vision is Vintage
No matter what photo it is, whether it’s on Union’s website or just a photo he was tagged in on Instagram, it’s hard to help but wonder what brands Chris Gibbs is wearing. Obviously having a reputation as one of the most stylish guys on the block, he incorporates a series of vintage aesthetics like chore coats, denim jackets, and patchwork staples into his wardrobe that select an image that’s completely different from what everyone else is doing.
Several things to keep in mind when picking out vintage-inspired classics are the fabric and the fit. Gibbs leans towards some of the most premium Japanese fabrics while combining them with a zeroed-in fit that the higher-end fashion labels have perfected. Gibbs wears a lot of brands like visvim, Junya Watanabe, Neighborhood, etc. — brands that have that worn-in look and edge that the big house labels tend to steer away from.
On the footwear side of things, Chris is constantly mixing things up, incorporating unique Chuck Taylor and Vans Authentics into the mix for a more classic vibe. And when he’s not wearing those, there’s another good chance that it’s a Hiroki visvim’s offering like their Grizzly Moc Folk boots – a vintage workwear staples.
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Chris Gibbs knows how to look cool even when he’s not trying, which ironically actually makes him even cooler. Who would’ve thought that khaki colored pants and a crewneck sweatshirt with Air Maxes would make you look like the flyest guy on the street?
Well, Gibbs, in fact, knows exactly how to do this. And it’s because of his precise knowledge of picking out the product with premier fabrics with an impeccable fit. He’s also incredibly versatile in making use of the classic aesthetics that look effortlessly timeless. Go through and look at the different eras of streetwear and you’ll see that Gibbs hasn’t looked an inch out of place by any standard – no matter what point in time you looked at that photo.
Aside from the obvious allure of his brand’s incorporation of Japanese influences, Gibbs also carries a range of high-end apparel with a tailored European allure. Aside from sophisticated plaid shirts with tailored pants, sweatshirts and jeans, and crewnecks with khakis, Gibbs is also on to one of the most popular up and coming trends in menswear – the Aloha shirt. Except he’s pulling it off all the time. Like everything else that he’s wearing, he does it with ease and simplicity with a look that says, “This is just me being casual and comfortable.” And most importantly, it’s all believable. For him, there’s never a moment where it looks like he’s out of place or the second-guessing what he picked out.
