Artful Dodger Preview 2009

Photos by Jason Lewis

Langton gets a shape-up. Photo by Jason Lewis

From the Artful Dodger Fall09 Lookbook

We were invited to a nice press preview for Artful Dodger, the former streetwear label founded by Scott Langton of Phat Farm and Sean John fame in 2006 and bought by Jay-Z for a cool $15mill in late 2007. Held at Tommy Guns barbershop on the LES, the beautiful salon with old-timey touches like nickle, mirror and glass cabinets, leather barber chairs and marble floors, was brimming with dapper men donning the Artful Dodger Fall ‘09 collection. The collection is a huge departure from the line’s previous look and feel—currently Artful Dodger falls in the department store hoodie category (allover print reversible velvet embroidered hoodies anyone?)—but with their Fall ‘09 collection the brand is staking a claim in the premium men’s contemporary market. Thoughtful tailoring, sharp details, and beautiful fabrics dominate the Fall offering with canvas military jackets, vintage inspired leather bombers and a nice mix of pieces in wool, twill, and poplin. Style cues for the season were taken from the Gentlemen’s clubs of 1930s London and the photography for the lookbook reflects a nostalgia for the working class vintage look. Look forward to the next season from Langton and his brand!