STEPNEY WORKERS CLUB X BRAIN DEAD

East London-based footwear brand Stepney Workers Club join forces with LA collective Brain Dead for a debut collaboration - a meeting of two brands with a shared approach to free-thinking and creativity. Inspired by the inclusive culture of traditional Workers Sports Clubs, Stepney Workers Club adopts the approach of ‘Freedom of Sport, Freedom of Thought’ through timeless, repurposed footwear for the new generation.



The spirit of subculture is prominent within both brands. Brain Dead is defined by post punk, skateboarding, erratic graphic lead designs and underground comics. Spearheaded by designer Kyle Ng, it is a creative collective of artists and designers from all around the world, it is not one person, not is it one idea. It sits in the space between people. As well as this collaboration, the LA brand have had past ventures with A.P.C, Carhartt, Converse and Sasquatchfabrix.

The collaboration between the two has reworked the classic Dellow silhouette, consisting of a black textured bouclé upper and a contrasting oversized cream sole unit, an ever-present feature in Stepney Workers Club design.



Another standout feature showcases asymmetric tongue label of the Brain Dead logo as well as cobranding on the footbed and heel patches. Focusing on texture was another main idea from the collab, opting for materials over heavy graphics displayed by Brain Dead in the past. Stepney Workers Club and Brain Dead build on their outlook to deliver a timeless minimalistic package.

To celebrate the release, the two brands have also worked together on a video and a sculptural installation with artist, Clay Arlington titled ‘Mind at Large’. The installation is a concept from Aldous Huxley’s book, ‘The Doors of Perception’ which is referenced on the tongue label of the collaboration.

Stepney Workers Club X Brain Dead is available in-store and online here.