Two powerful forces meet up again, 20 years on: German Military Forces and Hamansutra. 20 years ago, when I was a student at Central St Martins College in London, I did an internship at the Munich-based Clothing Department of the German Military Forces as a tailor’s assistant, where I learnt to appreciate the value of timeless design.

Fast forward 20 years, and let’s take a peek at my 2022 project with the German Military Forces. It’s in line with the times we‘re living through. And that’s exactly why it came about. Back then, during production and preparation of the German army uniforms, the atmosphere in my bunker workshop was tense. Working in a strict code of silence, only breaking it to request assistance from an inspector. Under time pressure to get the uniforms finished, which is absolutely not the way I prefer to work. But I never forgot what all the military vintage clothing from my archive looked like; really rough and raw, put together at incredible speed on high-precision machines for the “mass market” of war. There’s no place there for the kind of painstaking, focused work I do in my own studio.

The uniforms fall into three categories. The first is bespoke, tailor-made. The second is made on a modular “kit” basis, and the third is the “kit” uniform, but recycled and reused. I was assigned to the bespoke category, way back in 2003.

Uniforms are full of secrets. When squaddie Hans Meier (or Joe Bloggs, or John Doe) collected his sergeant’s uniform, he was already thinking about his next promotion. 18 months later… Preparing for production of a Military Police Corps uniform. Collar tabs preserved in baking parchment. Beautifully produced accessories and notions, great to work with. That moment when soldiers attach their nametapes. When I first started in military tailoring, I began to use nametapes like them as branding on my clothes. Made to German military specifications.

I noticed that for many of the civil servants there – because let’s face it, that’s what they were – art and craftsmanship in any form were supremely boring. It was all about mass manufacturing. Their spark had been stifled, and the only thing they looked forward to was getting their pension. Working alongside that lacklustre retiree mentality is usually hellish for designers. Those people can look back on a life of stability, but that life is a black hole that has sucked in any creativity, joy and inspiration they once had.

These days my work is project-based, so I can always step back and regain some pleasure from working in that atmosphere. But it’s rare that my energy can carry across the divide and infect others. As a freelancer, I’m like an A&E surgeon. No time to fuck about. Heart stopped beating? Grab that scalpel, slash open the torso and go right in with bare hands to massage it back to life. I learn, I document what I learn, and I meticulously apply it in my projects. That means many things end up having more in common with a scientific study than a piece of fashion. The process is more important than the result. And when I reach a result, it’s all my own work and I don’t need to start pulling it to pieces.

I constantly weave updates into my designs, but the pen pushers don’t want to know. Promotion is always beyond their reach, but the question is which is their biggest enemy – their head or their body? Is the body just a machine for transporting the head to the office? Or is it the other way round, and the head’s true enemy is actually the lethargic apathy of the body? If companies don’t come up with their own strategy for employing creative minds, I’ll use those companies for my own purposes and make sure they spit out the occasional interesting project. With my help, and with force if need be. People of the world unite, and set up workshops in your garages! They’ll serve as incubators, as laboratories for all the developments that will be so important later on.

© 100% hamansutra

RTW Menswear and Womenswear 2021 / 2022

hamansutra’s latest clothing atmosphere takes its inspiration from a former military barracks. In the days when ground infantry was stationed in German cities, headshaking amounts of special planning permissions were issued for the premises they needed. Timeless and seasonal products by hamansutra include denim uniforms, basketball suits, caps, crew shirts and boots. hamansutra has also been inspired by the corrugated iron huts that were used to house men and machinery. This corrugated iron and container architecture can still be found today, and is reflected in the interior of hamansutra’s studio. The clothing is presented in original style on simple wooden shelves, carefully crafted replicas of the originals. The atmosphere is one of scrupulous tidiness – before the sirens sounded.

Because Beats, Breaks and Boots brings people together…

Available on QUICKSHOP.NYC

Photography
Detlef Schneider

Hair by
Dirk Walther

You have to take the jpeg file to your desktop and print it yourself.

Remember:
„Advertising may not come cheap – but not advertising costs even more!“

hamansutra

CMYK SHOES BY HAMANSUTRA “10th Anniversary“

The CMYK Shoe by hamansutra is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022, but the artfully designed shoes are kicking off once again as a remastered limited edition of just 60 pairs. The concept behind the unisex CMYK Shoe is that each detail represents one of hamansutra’s most treasured art forms: the style, in soft cowskin with a thin, comfortable sole, is inspired by traditional dance shoes, while the stereo mini-jacks for laces are an ode to his work as an internationally acclaimed D.J. CMYK debuted in New York City in 2011 and was hailed by the press, with the New York Times trumpeting them as “Stepping to the Beat”. Now the CMYK Shoe by hamansutra is heading back to its roots. The trendy, innovative yet timeless “communication-based fusion of fashion and sound”, in hamansutra’s own words, will release today on the designer’s online shop QUICKSHOP.NYC at a retail price of EUR 279.00. Recrafted takes on CMYK’s colorways will also follow in the future. If you don’t see the shoe size in the colour you want, check out other colours. No sizes shown means that shoe colour is sold out. No time to lose! Click to buy and your shoes will be on their way – worldwide.

–> Don’t think twice – it’s all right!

Photography Jan Frommel

Back in the day, hip hop culture had a gold chain for everything – but no gold shoelaces. Gold chains might be pretty impractical as laces, but they’re really great as inspiration. I took the idea of the medallion and used it as the tip for a set of quality cotton laces. This trademarked creation is now available in an ultra-limited edition of just 10 sets. The golden tips feature engraved lettering on polished brass, showcasing a technique that combines skill with intuition and takes years of experience and expertise to perfect. The result was even showered with praise by a master goldsmith. The Gold Laces will be sold in our online shop.

Hurry while stocks last – buy now, or cry later! 

Available on QUICKSHOP.NYC

Over 25 years of hamansutra – a family tree

As a fashion designer under his own hamansutra label, hamansutra has worked for clients including Off White, Kenzo, Cazal Eyewear, Nike, Porsche and Louis Vuitton.

We know that when people who really appreciate their work and are dedicated to their craft, they literally make the finest products. That’s the pride in what hamansutra does. If everybody did the same in their own line of work, this world would be a better one for sure. Deserve respect. Craftmanship over luxury. Hamansutra clothing proudly bears Union Special Machines labels to showcase its exclusive manufacture on Union Special Machines.

Made here – Since 1996
100% hamansutra

Service

Lifelong guarantee means:
free repairs are my personal service to loyal customers.

Note:
not new products, but repairs. If they buy jeans in a store I will happily hem them to the right length. They can send them from wherever they are in the world. However, the customer has to pay the shipping.

All garments can be brought into our workshop. We are accepting post mail-ins with a description letter and contact details. We will only repair clean garments.

All repairs takes between 1 – 3 weeks.

Union Special – tells you who I am! Hamansutra clothing now proudly bears Union Special Machines labels to showcase its exclusive manufacture on Union Special Machines.

Union Special is the name of an elite sewing machine manufacturer from the USA, founded back in 1881. Today the company has branches near Stuttgart, Germany, and Chicago, USA. Although Union Special stopped manufacturing industrial textile sewing machines at the end of the 1990s, used machines and lucky finds are still around. They are often lovingly restored by a loyal and dedicated community of fans before resuming service in the production of historical or “old-style” clothing. Union Special now only makes sewing machines for agricultural potato or rice sacks, and is global leader on this market. My interview with the consultant at Union Special had me walking on air – especially because I was really interested in specific machines. At last I had the perfect person to talk to about these extra-special sewing machines and about the whole art and science of making denimwear. I’ve built up a good relationship with Union Special over time, so an in-depth conversation sprang up out of a spare parts order. I found out about a number of different industrial sewing machines that had been forgotten in a corner of the Union Special warehouses since 1988. Union Special sewing machines are sought after the world over, either as whole machines or parts. Once I knew the right serial numbers, I was able to track down the right machines. I bought the lot. And Union Special added in a few more machines that furthered our partnership even more.

–> unionspecial.com/about-us/history/

Available on QUICKSHOP.NYC

“Created Exclusively on Union Special Machines”

Union Special – Since 1881 officially appoints hamansutra – Since 1996 as the new cooperation partner of this legendary industrial sewing machine brand. Hamansutra clothing now proudly bears Union Special Machines labels to showcase its exclusive manufacture on Union Special Machines. Made in Germany, USA and Japan. The sewing machine company and designer share the philosophy: 

“Standard of Excellence + Quality = Never on Sale”

Length fittings are in Munich by appointment, all jeans shortened to your length. These jeans I’m working on now are available in Japanese Denim 16oz denim. All my jeans follow the shrink-to-fit philosophy, meaning the fabric can shrink up to 10%. I’ve drawn up a great user manual to guide you – follow these instructions and treat your pants right, and you’ll get up to 20 years of pleasure out of them. You can also email me your pants size and I’ll send the jeans anywhere in the world. I want to say something about the Japanese denims I use. The fabric is fantastic and will make you feel as strong and invincible as 16th-century Samurai knights in armour. Did you know they wore undershirts and underwear that had been indigo-dyed, because indigo protects the skin from bacteria? All my Japanese denim is selvedge denim, still made in the original way on small looms so that nothing is wasted in cutting. So, that’s the latest news about my jeans. Labels made out of calf leather, denim from Japan and Cooper Buttons from Paris. Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

Made in Germany
100% hamansutra

Photography Still Life
frommel.de

“When I gave Alexander McQueen my pants”

After 9/11 2001, hamansutra met Alexander McQueen for an interview in London. The two women there as showroom managers were pretty unfriendly, and one of them even mocked haman’s British English street slang. Lee McQueen had been on the lookout for classic tailors able to perform tasks like hand-stitching eyelet buttonholes. But there was nothing free for the 22-year-old haman and they never worked together. And yet McQueen told haman, “We’re the same. Creative. I can see it in your sketchbooks.” Lee Alexander McQueen accepted haman’s German military pants and original sketch as a gift, with a hand-written dedication. Haman had the pants for a long time, good quality industrial manufacture, cheap, not trendy, a German-made product. The quality used to be better, but production moved abroad after the Second World War. A picture showing Lee Alexander McQueen actually wearing the military pants in his studio, has now been used for the cover of “Alexander McQueen – The Life and the Legacy” by Judith Watt, a globally published examination of the designer. The location of the picture was Amwell Street, London, near Angel in Islington, where McQueen lived within walking distance of his studio. Central St Martins College from the late 90s to 2010 was Alexander McQueen’s best time. If he were alive today he would still be the Number One. He went his own way and had his associates, who brought him up but also dragged him down – like the corporation that owned 51% of his company. The deaths of Isabella Blow and his mother were bitter blows; he was also under pressure from Gucci Group to deliver more commercial designs. A hoodie with the McQueen logo? Never! And yet he was an irreplaceable role model to us as St. Martins graduates. He shaped and formed us; we grew up surrounded by his superhuman energy and took on the responsibility and the pressure to match his quality, imposed by the same college and tutors. After his death in 2010 hamansutra decided to delete all his social media accounts. The news was like a physical blow, it caused complete numbness. Sometimes you wonder how people like that got to be so good – but take Alexander McQueen: I know that after CSM closed every day, he would hide under the tables in the pattern room to carry on working on his collection at night. It’s pretty sad that nobody can respect Alexander McQueen’s wishes and close the house. People and Gucci Group should have respected his wishes. They are too money hungry to care! Sad that creativity and industry can’t walk together for long. However, Lee McQueen made you dream, made you hopeful, made you love life…made you love fashion…he made us love art. His death was the culmination of his art. Rest in Paradise, brother.

Re-issue of the German Military Pants / Updated by Hamansutra

Available in 2020 at quickshop.nyc

10TH REMEMBRANCE YEAR
IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
(*‪ 1969 – 2010‬)


Lee Alexander Mcqueen
alexandermcqueen.com

Photography
derricksantini.com

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

Clothing works + Hot War = Pure performance

Germany’s tailoring and textile industries used to be world class – especially their engineering. And the way people dressed. Yep, the personalities from way back then are what we’re missing today. In-depth anatomy studies and life drawings were paramount in producing patterns of mathematical accuracy. These clothing items are still copied today. And let’s not even start on military clothing. Today, Germany’s clothing industry has lost it. They don’t want to get their fingers dirty, I guess. What’s that you ask? What are all those sewing machines for? A man at a Singer sewing machine is like a woman on a Harley Davidson? Sneers like that only prove just who’s responsible for the decline of tailoring and for its dusty image. When people like that try to talk tailoring to me, I take the greatest pleasure in reducing them to matchwood. The finest German machines and the tailoring heritage were sold abroad for a pittance. Generation after generation abandoned the art of tailoring. The catastrophic result? Tailors that look like accountants. Not a spark of fashion awareness anywhere you look. But don’t you worry – all your agencies will be bankrupt soon enough.

Advertising agencies + hot air = earning your money.

Photography by Florian Deventer

MAKING OF
Like any project, research and development takes forever, and so does waiting for the artist’s OK. But that’s another story. Onwards and upwards! When I’m foraging books or original clothing designs, I might look like a hunter-gatherer – but actually I’m collecting evidence, documenting different eras. It takes a lot of care and management – but it’s important to me to create museum-ready presentations. The right atmosphere is crucial.

Don’t Promise What You Can’t Deliver. When prototypes are created nobody cares whether they’re pretty. Prototype is prototype. But stay cool, first of all everyone laughs and ignores it – until the first success comes along. Usually surrounded by the wrong people. Revenge swoops like a dragon. Some people talk a lot and some people write a lot, but when a prototype is finally on the table, a huge milestone has been reached. Nobody’s gonna help you, nobody’s waiting for what you got. But in the end, no product – no business. Now feel the joy.

Hamansutra

Available on QUICKSHOP.NYC

hamansutra has all the machines and materials necessary for crafting with fine-rib fabrics. Working on a “plain old-fashioned longsleeve” shirt since 2012.

DESIGNERS 
We designers spend so much time working out style solutions, so we’re really relieved and happy when we don’t have to go around like walking billboards festooned with logos – weirdly, many fashion brands seem to think this is desirable. With this in mind, I designed and updated a “plain, old-fashioned” shirt range inspired by this philosophy for designers, artists and personalities. 

Since 1996 – Made in Germany from Japanese fabric.

This new episode of Blue Blooded Portfolio is with Haman Alimardani, founder of Hamansutra and many more. By denimhunters.com

„Running the risk of sounding a little bit corny and pretentious here, our favourite thing about denim, really, is the people!“

Photography
oddhunt.com

I think what shocked us all so much about Virgil Abloh’s untimely death was that he had kept so quiet about his aggressive and incurable cancer; only people very close to him were aware of what he was going through. Such devastating news, and the way he left us was incredibly unreal. The pain goes deep. When Virgil had a stroke in 2019, the cause was explained as stress from his phenomenal workload – Louis Vuitton and his own label Off White alongside 300 other projects with companies including furniture and automotive brands, his work with Nike, book publications, art exhibitions, public speaking, and of course his global DJ gigs and productions. Every day was packed with meetings in different countries. So that was his everyday life. But there was a dark side to his continual acceptance of more and more projects: knowing he didn’t have long to live, he poured all his strength into achieving everything before facing the final curtain. In autumn 2021 he suddenly sold Off White to the LVMH Group, which now owns over 60% of the label. He did that although everyone knew he’d wanted his own label to stay independent, with nobody interfering with his visions or frowning over the figures. The proceeds from the sale naturally went to his family, so they never need to worry about money again – not that they would have had to anyway. Virgil Abloh knew his time was short, but he announced the news of the sale to distract us from noticing it. Until now. He died on November 28, 2021, just three days before his last collection in Miami was due to show. He never saw it. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Releasing a new collection into the world is the most emotional experience ever for an artist, and then not even to see it happen after putting your heart and soul into it? It’s left me deeply, deeply shocked and completely numb. Brother, we worked on a few projects together and it was a joy to create the Off White Football Helmet and present Virgil Abloh’s Alphabet at Louis Vuitton. I normally play the role of the phantom in the shadows, but who knows, there may be more projects with your label. I well remember when Virgil Abloh became Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton. I was at the LV headquarters when it happened and the people there asked me what I thought of him. They were baffled by all the hate comments, but also sceptical of the new Artistic Director; they begrudged him the job. Under enormous pressure, he sometimes borrowed Duchamp’s philosophy of ‘ironic detachment’ to adapting styles from other designers, which earned him plenty of criticism. At a company as traditional as Louis Vuitton, there was disbelief that streetwear would be fashion’s new ne plus ultra and dismissal of its importance in attracting the millennial generation as new customers. I would never have thought I would end up writing a letter like this. Rest in Beats, Rest in Paradise, Love Dreams and Hip Hop Virgil Abloh.

Photography
Off White

hamansutra crew shirts in black, olive and white made here. The tabloid format labels are something to read while you’re standing in line, have useful care details for hamansutra clothing, and are great ice-breakers for starting conversations (better than staring at old Illusions screenprints). Made according to German military specifications.

Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

Created Exclusively on Union Special Machines

Unisex:
S, L, XL and XXL.

100% Cotton
100% hamansutra

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

Hamansutra’s Clothing Line is in the pipeline. Shirt, Overalls, Pants and Jackets. I’ve always been fascinated by basic clothing, clothes for life. Interesting how all these wannabes are now piling on the sustainability bandwagon. No idea what they’re talking about. I’ve been propagating seasonless and timeless clothing since I started Hamansutra in 1996 but I never really felt at home in the fashion industry. How could you, with the cold steel of an investor’s pistol at your head? Anyway, holding a sale is nothing more or less than destroying a collection.

Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

Created Exclusively on Union Special Machines

100% hamansutra

Less cuts – more what’s! A pair of fresh-cut Denim Pants by hamansutra. Numbered stamp patterns as always in hamansutra’s clothing. Just one of his corporate identity features. I always recommend buying 2 at once. Really durable, they make it so easy to pack a suitcase. White Shirts, Boots and Denim.

Labels made out of calf leather, denim from Italy and Cooper Buttons from Paris. Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

Created Exclusively on Union Special Machines

100% Made in Germany
100% Cotton
100% hamansutra

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

An idea I’d like to share which has finally been released after so many years. A German-produced simple accessory for hamansutra Boots – A Shoe Bag with a side pocket. I think some eyes will open wide when the most discerning customers around the world open the Shoe Box. Quality leathers, unique styling and custom design work – they’re what sets Hamansutra apart and bring his fans together.

Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

Created Exclusively on Union Special Machines

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

100% Made in Germany
100% Cotton
100% hamansutra

Original – Updated: Our Boxing Boots, now with wooden nails. Quiet persuaders for someone who didn’t pay your invoice.

Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

100% Made in Austria
100% hamansutra

BUY
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My Military Jungle Boot is made with Candiani Denim that packs some serious horsepower. There are just a handful of factories around the world that still have these machines and know how to use them. “They go through bones like butter.”

I’m expanding my product line and producing it in-house – jackets, pants and shirts, as authentic as 150 years ago. hamansutra Fashion House doesn’t compromise on quality; our motto is “No Savings – Only Quality”. We still get our boots produced in Austria in small production runs; the soles have wooden nails that are made on a machine from 1880.

Keep your boots well polished and your denim well dirty – Let’s have a fight.

Our products are made by the best specialist manufacturers.

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

100% Made in Austria
100% hamansutra

BUY
QUICKSHOP.NYC

Haman Alimardani comes from the third generation of a Persian family of chefs, restaurateurs and gourmets. He launched his hamansutra fashion label in 1996. On a visit to Berlin he was intrigued to discover a chocolate factory and store that echoed his own first name – Erich Hamann Schokolade – Since 1912. Haman meets Hamann! He soon found that the company was an authentic, down-to-earth operation with a philosophy that prized quality and craftsmanship above all else. Old-fashioned by today’s fast-paced, bigger-is-better standards? Perhaps. But also redolent with history and tradition. And, incidentally, it tasted fantastic! Haman immediately identified parallels with his own fashion label, hamansutra. His workshop, which he calls “Bekleidungswerke” or “clothing works“, is a manufacturing centre equipped with a formidable array of vintage sewing machines that are battered, yet still going strong. At its heart is Haman as the mechanic, the master tailor in technical clothing construction, and the Design Director. Quality outlasts even the biggest global trends, and quality is never on sale. Conventional fashion labels are always confronted with the need to appeal to “taste” – but hamansutra’s chocolate appeals to the tastes of dedicated non-followers of fashion everywhere.

“Because taste is about knowledge.”

Enjoy the Planet Soul.
Yours truly,

Erich Hamann & hamansutra

DENIM FAIR AND TRADESHOWS

hamansutra‘s booth presentation in Germany. The location include a further space known as “Bekleidungswerke“ (Clothing Works) with old sewing machines and beautiful Japanese Denim. Hamansutra’s workshop live in the Hall for buyers, press and industry creatures.

LINK
instagram.com/hamansutra

QUICKSHOP.NYC

I am the founder of the “virtual New York online store” QUICKSHOP.NYC, which operates from Munich. My clothing brand – HAMANSUTRA, founded 1996 – makes jackets, pants and shirts inhouse, as authentic as 150 years ago. The HAMANSUTRA “clothing works“ is equipped with a formidable array of vintage sewing machines – battered, yet still going strong. I am its heart, as design director, (clothing) mechanic and master technical tailor. As well as clothing with brands from the US, Japan and Germany, my small-scale showroom with minimalist interior carries a selection of handmade shoes with special historical wooden nails in the soles, “Created with Love from New York City and Manufactured in Austria”. There are also accessories, freshly made cosmetics and chocolate. My motto is “No Savings – Only Quality”, because quality outlasts the biggest global trends, and quality is never on sale. My online store was inspired by my vision of the US Army, with soldiers holed up in 8 sqm containers sending drones into war which were controlled from somewhere or other in the world.

Meet The Person

This new episode of Meet the Person is with Haman Alimardani, founder of Hamansutra. Thanks for sharing your great denim story.

By Wouter Munnichs
long-john.nl/hamansutra

THE BUSINESS OF DENIM BY DENIM HUNTERS

How Hamansutra Made an Homage to Levi Strauss by Customising 501s

Haman Alimardani aka Hamansutra is a sewing machinist, a master tailor, and a design director. Thomas Stege Bojer, founder of Denimhunters, met hamansutra at Bluezone in January 2019 where he was showing a few of his vintage sewing machines and his latest collaborations, including his homage to Levi Strauss.

LINK
vimeo.com/hamansutra/levistrauss

A building from the early 1920s in Texas, USA, was being torn down. We saw the colors peeking out and asked if they were going to save anything. They said it was all going in the trash so we asked if we could get it. At first they said no but we promised to be careful and act at our own risk. This Levi’s banner from 1950 had been badly attacked by insects and suffered major damage in the demolition. In restoration, I though Japanese sashiko stitching would be best for this, as it is designed to give handcrafted work warmth and stability. The banner was restored to the Original Selvedge Denim quality, has now been carefully washed, and is magnificent – but it was an enormous amount of work. There are only a few of these special Levi’s banners still in existence. They were originally designed as advertising to be attached to horses, who would gallop through towns and spread the message. This historic print shop in San Francisco also printed for Levi Strauss & Co. However, Levi Strauss never personally saw one of the banners; graphic screen printing was not developed in California in 1913, 11 years after his death. The banner will now be framed and displayed in my Bekleidungswerke Clothing Workshop.

501 ORIGINAL UPDATED BY HAMANSUTRA

The Homage to Levi Strauss involves a 501 jeans design updated and customized by fashion designer hamansutra

available at QUICKSHOP.NYC

Levi’s turned 145 years old on 20th of May 2018.

I hereby present my own Homage to Levi Strauss with my private collection of LEVI’S with Rare Big E. For me, denim is nothing less than clothes for life, and I’ve been wearing Levi’s jackets and pants since I can remember.

Also as double denim, like a suit – a tradition in Texas. I and likeminded aficionados were already prowling flea markets in the 80s and 90s, seeking out the selvedge denim pants with the BIG E label, very aware of the value of what we found. After my research showed that no true homage was ever paid to Levi Strauss, I decided to launch my own project.

And because Levi Strauss came from Bavaria, Germany, I thought it was fitting to incorporate the baby-blue diamonds of the Bavarian flag, in the screenprinted pocket linings and the packaging. Here it is.

The „501 – Original/Updated“ by Hamansutra is limited to 100 pieces, which will be available only on QUICKSHOP.NYC or in our Showroom in Munich and at a price of Euro 349 with packaging.

HOMAGE TO LEVI STRAUSS BY HAMANSUTRA . 2018

After my research showed that no true homage was ever paid to Levi Strauss, I decided to launch my own project. And because Levi Strauss came from Bavaria, Germany, I thought it was fitting to incorporate the baby-blue diamonds of the Bavarian flag, in the screenprinted pocket linings and the packaging. I hereby present my own Homage to Levi Strauss with my private collection of LEVI’S with Rare Big E. We were already prowling flea markets in the 80s and 90s, seeking out the selvedge denim pants with the BIG E label, very aware of the value of what we found. For me, denim is nothing less than clothes for life, and I’ve been wearing Levi’s jackets and jeans since I can remember. Also as double denim, like a suit – a tradition in Texas.

Bekleidungswerke
master tailor in the technical construction of clothing.

This shoot was made with love using analog photography Andrew Williams, SF, USA

© 100% hamansutra

ORDERING DENIM
Watch this space – you will shortly be able to order hamansutra’s exclusive Denim range.
Advance enquiries welcome! Place your order by sending us your size and desired garment style.

“Because perfection is protection“

created with love from New York City and handmade in Italy and Munich

About the Lookbook
A 32-page Denim by hamansutra fashion lookbook. The book has been published in a limited edition of only 500.
To date the book is available in selected art and design bookstores. If you require any further information
or assistance, please contact us.

All reproduction in any form and to any extent requires express prior written permission.

© 100% hamansutra
New York 2013

LEE & WRANGLER – A COMMON ENERGY UNIT FOR ITS PREMIUM LINES

As a tribute to Henry David Lee and Hudson Overall Company, we were invited to design and present a new design focus for target groups like department stores, denim specialists and apparel generalists, and including opportunities, key cities etc. Otherwise all is strictly confidential, top secret and a complete mystery. Our aim is to launch a global Lee and Wrangler Premium Line. We’ll see, and hopefully understand. When C.C Hudson (founder of Wrangler) was 20 and sewing overalls to make a living, he was in the same position as me; a factory went bust, and he snapped up the old sewing machines, rented a room over a grocery store and started to make overalls himself. Believe it or not, I have the exact same machines. Today they produce vintage and authentic clothing as they always have. Heavy duty clothing and old school truth.

LINK
kontoorbrands.com

available at QUICKSHOP.NYC

Only a few craftsman studios in the world still create leather-soled shoes with wooden nails. The machines for these shoes are over 150 years old, and sound like a machine-gun when they’re in full flight. On request we can produce shoes from premium-class Horween horsehide. Horween Leather Company was founded in 1905. For more than 100 years and five generations, its goal has been to make the world’s best leather.

available at QUICKSHOP.NYC

hamansutra‘s showroom is open in Munich’s Schwabing district in 2017.

Based on the concept of “No savings – only quality”, the small-scale showroom with minimalist interior will carry only brands from the US, Japan and Germany – plus accessories, freshly made cosmetics and chocolate.

Only a few craftsman studios in the world still create leather-soled shoes with wooden nails. The machines for these shoes are over 150 years old, and sound like a machine-gun when they’re in full flight. On request we can produce shoes from premium-class Horween horsehide. Horween Leather Company was founded in 1905. For more than 100 years and five generations, its goal has been to make the world’s best leather.

The new classic shoe line is hand-made in Austria.

© 1996 HAMANSUTRA, LLC
NEW YORK . MUNICH

by appointments only
HAMANSUTRA, LLC

ELECTRONIC MAIL
haman@hamansutra.com

Behind this door is where the magic happens. One man – one machine. That’s why we call ourselves The Man Machines and listen to electro tracks. Every machine focuses on one detail, produces a product that is not open to discussion.

Tuesdays are appointment days
hamansutra‘s showroom is open in Munich’s Schwabing district and the location includes a further space known as “Bekleidungswerke“ (Clothing Workshop). We’ll take another look at the products in a few years. Great success comes from great support. Sorry, no super knock down bargain basement sale prices, because quality is never on sale. And holding a sale is nothing more or less than destroying a collection.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Dare to fire ideas onto the page, as precise as a sharpshooter. Here are a few examples of my private, personal drawings from a variety of projects.

DENIM FAIR AND TRADESHOWS

hamansutra‘s booth presentation in Germany. The location include a further space known as “Bekleidungswerke“ (Clothing Works) with old sewing machines and beautiful Japanese Denim. Hamansutra’s workshop live in the Hall for buyers, press and industry creatures.

LINK
instagram.com/hamansutra
candianidenim.it

LINK
instagram.com/hamansutra

How about a printed newspaper for Instagram?

What I mean is a kind of newspaper to bring a dose of reality to the digital take world. Every photo from an Instagram account costs EUR 1.49, the costs of printing out 1 photo by the account owner. The printed version can be used as PR for Instagram because, hey, there are people out there that never use social media. With 10,000 customers you could have the newspaper printed and send it out to customers by olde worlde mail or sell it in magazine stores. One day we’ll see and understand.

Talk to us.

Yo welcome to my Planet Soul,

“The idea behind this workshop, which I call “Bekleidungswerke” or „clothing works“, is to create a manufacturing centre with old sewing machines. I’m at its heart, as the mechanic, the master tailor in the technical construction of clothing, and the Design Director.”

I like going to visit customers personally, because customers are like patients. I transport the products with my CLAX…

LINK
VIMEO.COM/HAMANSUTRA/CLAX

HISTORY
A shoe that was long in in the making. Based on old boxer boot styles, it became a shoe designed for situations where you need to be on your guard. The problem with boxer boots was always all those laces. So much time spent just on lacing up your boots. I wanted to keep the laces, but added a zipper as a core update. The classic laced style is retained, but the zipper allows you to be out of the dressing room and into the ring in an instant. This combination of laces and zipper is known as a “double safety unit” and originally came from the field of jet aviation. If an emergency occurs in aviation, nobody has time to fumble with laces. This is a really functional design that makes it easy to take your place promptly if there’s an alert. The laces adjust the fit of the shoe to the contours of your foot; once the shoe fits, you need only zip up or down to don and remove it. Couldn’t be faster. The zipper tab is detachable and replaceable for an added style detail. As with all Hamansutra shoes, we recommend using a boot jack to remove the boot. From 0-100 in 0.2 seconds. Available in 100% Black, suitable as a leisure shoe and for going out. Manufactured in Austria

Pre-Order Only

POLICE GERMANY . 1940s SHOES BY HAMANSUTRA

available at QUICKSHOP.NYC

Way back in 2002 I had an important phone call from the German arms industry about designing new uniforms for the German police. It didn’t work out for various reasons, because I’d lived in London and had a mission there – but now in 2017, the new hand-crafted shoes for the police force are an ongoing thing. Just to show you how long some projects take to develop to maturity. 15 years later, this one is continuing smooth as you like. Back in the Second World War, uniforms were produced as bespoke tailoring for the mass market. I’m reviving this idea and this aim today as a passion of mine, and look forward to receiving orders. Today there are almost 400,000 police in Germany, civil servants of the state. No problem. Companies like Harley Davidson, Hugo Ferdinand Boss, Ferdinand Porsche, Thyssen, Krupp, Burberry, Robert Bosch only got started by producing for the arms industry. And the factories went up, converted into lofts today if they’re still standing.

Handmade Shoes with special historical wooden nails on the sole.

“Created with Love from New York City and Manufactured in Austria”

© 100% hamansutra

IN MEMORY OF JAM MASTER JAY . 15TH REMEMBRANCE YEAR

There are no words. This Adidas Ultrastar Sneaker was originally launched as the Adidas Superstar in 1969 – and here it is in my redesign, with headphone cables as the laces. I used this lace idea for my first shoe collection, CMYK by hamansutra, in 2010. I designed the laces to fit any shoe in the world. And now it’s official: an idea that I’ve had for a long, long time has now become reality. For our Homie and Brother Jam Master Jay. Now the RUN DMC DJ has his own shoe with headphone laces – at long last. In the 90s I had special authorization to meet him at a DJ gig in Munich, with photo and autograph. Rest in Paradise Homie. (*1965 – 2002)

*This shoot was made with love and is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise approved by the Adidas company or his estate.

Graffiti in Munich – Grassed up, jailed and reconciled

Alois Spies and Haman Alimardani were once bitterly opposed. A quarter of a century later, Germany’s first graffiti hunter and the ex-sprayer meet again.

Fashion designer and ex-sprayer Haman Alimardani aims to make a book out of the photos collected by Germany‘s first official graffiti hunter, Alois Spies.

–> We are looking for publishers interested in printing and selling the book.

LINK
Sueddeutsche-Zeitung/Haman-Alimardani

ABOUT
Süddeutsche Zeitung, founded 1945, also known as SZ, Germany’s largest broadsheet newspaper, publishes articles of international interest.

Credit
by Jasmin Siebert

© 100% hamansutra

TINT STORE IN COOP WITH NIKE AND HAMANSUTRA

What started last year with an exhibition and lookbooks is now complete. May I present my Nike Marathon High Hell, Made with Love in Germany.

Hamansutra was booked as Coordinator & Sneaker Transformer for Tint Store Munich, with the involvement of 2 major companies – Nike and Red Bull. I was asked to curate the choice of artists. An incredible team and a great event.

remember: “don’t bite it, be inspired“

Trademark and Copyright by hamansutra
The contents of this book/website and the objects and ideas it contains are owned by hamansutra and copyright protected. Copies or reproduction in any form in whole or in part require express prior written permission of hamansutra.

© 100% hamansutra

Copyright von hamansutra
Sämtliche Inhalte dieses Buches/Websites und die darin vorkommenden Objekte und Ideen sind Eigentum von hamansutra und urheberrechtlich geschützt. Auszüge in jeglicher Form und jeglichem Umfang bedürfen ausdrücklicher vorheriger schriftlicher Genehmigung.
© 100% hamansutra

© hamansutra
このブックのコンテンツおよびここの表明されているアイディアはhamansutraに帰属するものであり、著作権保護の対象である。このブック全体、またはその一部を複製する場合、hamansutraの許可を書面上で受ける必要がある。
© 100% hamansutra

メッセージ：「不正利用ではなく、インスピレーションに」

hit play now >> mixcloud.com/hamansutra

About hamansutra’s Radio Show with Claire Anderson (JazzFM London).

Rare interviews and remastered songs selected from his collection of videos and music, ready for your iPods. Try it out, and see how easy it is to use. download on djhamansutra.com. Mp3’s for all his lovely little hobbits around the planet…

The music hamansutra chooses is also the daily background to his work. Lovedreamsandhiphop is designed to trigger visions and inspirations, to heighten creativity and productivity – and to ignore the media, those spinners of lies with too little to do.

hamansutra says that music provides a strong creative pulse
”When you work on anything creative, music is a very important factor, because you can feel the vibrations for your inspirations in the music.”

25 things you should know about hamansutra. He is featured and interviewed in the most nominated and Best Magazines.

what gift would you like to present to whom?
A menswear collection to Helmut Lang.

the most intoxicating fragrance?
A woman’s body.

what do you see when you look in the mirror?
A chameleon changing its colors.

(His) tory
My brand name is a mixture of India and Persia. Haman was the prime minister of the Persian king Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes I, reigned 485–465 BC. The Sanskrit word Sutra means a joined thread and also instructions or discourse, as in the Kama Sutra (a discourse of instructions for sexual positions). I developed my own philosophy from my passion for instructions, and the endlessly changing positions in the game of fashion.

Hintergrund
Mein Markenname ist eine Mischung aus indischen und persischen Elementen. Haman war der Premierminister des persischen Königs Ahasverus, auch Xerxes genannt, der zwischen 485 – 465 v.Chr. herrschte. Sutra kommt aus dem Sanskrit und bedeutet einen Faden oder eine Kette sowie auch eine Anleitung oder Lehrtext (wie das Kamasutra, ein Lehrbuch für Sexualpraktiken). Ich habe meine eigene Unternehmenskultur aus meiner Leidenschaft für Weisungen und Anleitungen und für die sich unerschöpflich verändernden Spielzüge im Spiel der Mode.

背景
ブランド名は、インドとペルシャに起源をもつ。ハーマンは、紀元前485年から465年にペルシャを統治したアハシュエロス王（クルセクセス王としても知られる）に仕えた首相の名前。スートラは、サンスクリット語で糸の束、経典を意味し、たとえば体位についての教えであるカーマ・スートラでおなじみの言葉だ。経典や教えに対する情熱と、ファッションの変わり続ける側面から、独自の哲学をあみ出した。

I am the founder of HAMANSUTRA.COM and the “virtual New York online store” QUICKSHOP.NYC, which operates from Munich. My label, hamansutra, was launched in 1996 with a logo based on a background of Indian and Persian elements. It stands for a range of jackets, pants and shirts produced inhouse, as authentic as 150 years ago. Back then, I laid the groundwork for hamansutra by printing thousands of stickers with portraits of me and my fellow writers on them and plastering them absolutely everywhere – and suddenly hamansutra came to life. I’d been a graffiti writer since 1989, but that kind of self-exposure was a calculated experiment. True graffiti writers have always been anonymous and unknown, and always will be, but our portrait stickers were more inspired by the football stickers you see in public places. The first stickers were entitled “Helden der Grossstadt” (Big City Heroes). They weren’t intended to represent street art. Back then, authentic, bold self-projection was our real-life equivalent of today’s degenerate virtual Facebook world. By publishing our faces, we risked arrest by the task force set up to fight us. We were a great team. In 1999, when I was studying at Central Saint Martins College in London, I started to make systematic use of my CI for branding in my hamansutra label. It’s a hard slog these days for up-and-coming entrepreneurs to build a market; so many competitors, so much competition, and at the start at least, such small order volumes. Everything goes slowly. Labels like Hugo Boss, Harley Davidson, Porsche and Burberry had it easier when they started out; they quickly built a successful foundation for their development by manufacturing military products – uniforms and vehicles. My online store was inspired by my vision of the US Army, with soldiers holed up in 8 sqm containers sending drones into war which were controlled from somewhere or other in the world. Today the HAMANSUTRA “clothing works“ is equipped with a formidable array of vintage sewing machines – battered, yet still going strong. I am its heart, as design director, (clothing) mechanic and master technical tailor. As well as clothing with brands from the US, Japan and Germany, my small-scale showroom with minimalist interior carries a selection of handmade shoes with special historical wooden nails in the soles, “Created with Love from New York City and Manufactured in Austria”. There are also accessories, freshly made cosmetics and chocolate. My motto is “QUALITY IS NEVER ON SALE”, because quality outlasts the biggest global trends, and you’ll never find quality in the bargain basement.  

RESUME Haman Alimardani

PERSONAL DETAILS
Fashion designer since 1996

1996: Launch of own „hamansutra“ labels in Munich

2004: Company launched at London Central St Martins College of Art and Design

2011 “hamansutra, LLC” registered as trademark in New York at United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

2011 – present
Setup and management of online store – “WWW.QUICKSHOP.NYC” Initiator and founder

Supplier scoping (incl. personal visits), ordering, warehousing, reordering, stock management, shipping coordination, inventory and packaging management, restocking, coordination of customer orders and tracking numbers

2018 Louis Vuitton – Munich, Germany
Art Director at Munich headquarters, assignments including Virgil Abloh – Client consultant for sales and design at Louis Vuitton Maison Munich

2018 Lee & Wrangler
Art Director
Creation and presentation of design focus concepts for target groups including department stores, denim specialists and apparel generalists, covering new openings, key cities

2017 Levi’s
Creative Direction for Homage to Levi Strauss.
Marking the 145th anniversary of Levi’s, creation of appropriate and authentic tribute to the inventor of the world’s most popular clothing item Released and presented 2018 at the International Denim Trade Show Bluezone in Bavaria, birthplace of Levi Strauss. With 100 pairs of limited edition 501/updated by Hamansutra

2016 Nike
Coordinator & Shoe Designer
Tint Store Munich, with involvement of 2 major companies – Nike and Red Bull Commissioned to design and transform a Nike Sneaker and curate the choice of artists

2016 Inkcorporated GmbH, Munich
Art Director for fashion brands including Digel, Cambio und Mac Jeans. Responsible for print campaigns

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – FASHION DESIGN AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT
2015 Third hamansutra Shoe Collection for Fall/Winter 2015; manufacturing based in Austria

2013 Denim Collection – Partnership with Poltrona Frau
Men’s and women’s Reversible Raw Denim collection in partnership with
prestigious Italian furnishing manufacturer Poltrona Frau. Fabrics ordered from an Italy-based manufacturer producing denim to traditional Japanese quality standards; the reversible pieces were finished with premium Poltrona Frau buttons, usually used for sofas and soft furnishings

2011 – present Second Shoe Collection:
expansion of CMYK Collection with addition of high-top styles (non-seasonal). hamansutra continuously works on new collections and individual styles

2011 First hamansutra Shoe Collection CMYK for Fall/Winter 2011/12 season

2004 – 2016 Lecturer in Design
– Akademie für Mode und Design (AMD) – Munich
– Miami Ad School – Hamburg and New York
– Parsons New School of Design – New York
– Blocherer Schule (Art and Design) – Munich

2013 – 2015 Design and consultancy
– Creative Director – Bread and Butter trade show – Berlin
– Creative Partner – Cazal Eyewear – Munich
– Designer – Poltrona Frau – Italy

1999 – 2004 Management, brand and design services
for clients including Cazal Eyewear, Bavarian State Opera Munich, Kostas
Murkudis, Saturn, International Film School London, Nike, MTV, Porsche
Design

1998 – 1999 Graphic designer
Position at major advertising agency Jung von Matt, Hamburg, projects
including Deutsche Bahn, Audi and Benson & Hedges.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

1999 – 2004 Study at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, London
Bachelor of Arts in Fashion & Marketing

1994 – 1998 Study of Graphic Design at Blocherer Schule, Munich Diplom in Graphic Design

LANGUAGE SKILLS German (business level), English (business level), Farsi (native)

IT SKILLS MS Office, Adobe, Apple; InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator etc.

© 100% hamansutra

hamansutra
Haman Alimardani (hamansutra) was born in 1977 in Tehran, Iran. He grew up in New York and Munich and lived for long periods in Hamburg and London.

Alimardani began his artistic career as a DJ and graffiti artist. After initially studying graphic design in Munich, he completed a degree in fashion design in 2004 at the elite Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.

Alimardani’s inexhaustible curiosity about fashion drew him to explore its every aspect during his studies. Powerful influences during this period were his time as an assistant to designer Kostas Murkudis (2002) and his internship in the Munich-based Clothing Department of the German Military Forces, where he learnt to appreciate the value of timeless design.

A further key stage in his development was his training in the costume department of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich (2003), where he worked on productions including Richard Wagner’s „Twilight of the Gods“, Handel’s „Saul“ and ballet pieces by Jacopo Godani. He gained experience in the theatre costume department – located in the former bedroom of King Ludwig – and the men’s and women’s tailoring departments before finally landing in the venerable shoe department. During this progress he not only familiarized himself with the skills of the trade necessary to fashion entire costumes from top to toe: he also began to explore the thin line between art and fashion, a line he has never left since that time.
„All the world’s a stage for me“, affirms Alimardani today, expressing his desire to provide an artistic backdrop for people as actors in the play of their own lives.

As a fashion designer under his own hamansutra label, he has worked for clients including Poltrona Frau, Kenzo, Mey,
Cazal Eyewear, Nike, Porsche, Microsoft, Jung von Matt etc.

Since 2003, Alimardani has been a guest speaker at design institutions including Parsons New School of Design in New York, and a lecturer at the Miami Ad School in Brooklyn.

Alimardani’s affinity to music – he is still a professional club DJ – is reflected in his tireless search for new routes in his design.

Haman Alimardani lives and works in Munich and New York.

hamansutra
Haman Alimardani wurde 1977 in Teheran, Iran, geboren. Er wuchs in New York und München auf und lebte längere Zeit in Hamburg und London.

Alimardani begann seine künstlerische Laufbahn als DJ und Graffiti-Writer. Er studierte zunächst Graphik-Design in München, um 2004 an der Elite-Universität Central Saint Martins in London sein Studium in Modedesign zu absolvieren.

Alimardanis unerschöpfliche Neugier ließ ihn in der Zeit seiner Ausbildung alle Facetten des Modedesigns ergründen. So wurde er nachhaltig geprägt durch die Zeit als Assistent von Modemacher Kostas Murkudis (2002) sowie durch seine Lehrzeit in der Münchner Militärschneiderei, in der er den Wert zeitloser Entwürfe zu schätzen und zu verinnerlichen lernte.

Als wichtigste Etappe seines bisherigen Werdegangs gilt jedoch die Ausbildung an der Bayerischen Staatsoper in München (2003). Dort arbeitete Alimardani an Produktionen wie Richard Wagners „Götterdämmerung“, Händels „Saul“ und Ballettstücken von Jacopo Godani. Er durchlief der Reihe nach die Repertoireschneiderei – die sich im ehemaligen Schlafzimmer König Ludwigs befand, die Herren- und Damenschneiderei sowie die Modisterei und landete schließlich in der altehrwürdigen Schuhmacherei. Auf seinem Weg lernte er nicht nur das nötige Handwerk zur Maßanfertigung ganzer Kostüme. Er bewegte sich auch erstmals auf dem schmalen Grat zwischen Kunst und Mode, den er seither nicht wieder verließ.

„Die ganze Welt ist eine Bühne für mich“, sagt Alimardani noch heute und offenbart seinen Anspruch, die Menschen – Darsteller ihres Lebens – kunstvoll in Szene zu setzen.

Als Modedesigner hat er unter seinem Label hamansutra bisher für Poltrona Frau, Kenzo, Mey, Cazal Eyewear, Nike, Porsche, Microsoft, Jung von Matt u.a. gearbeitet. Alimardanis Affinität zur Musik – bis heute legt er professionell in Clubs auf – spiegelt sich auf immer neuen Wegen in seinem Design wider.

Seit 2003 hält Alimardani in Designschulen wie der Parsons New School of Design in New York Vorträge und ist Dozent an der Miami Ad School in Brooklyn.

Alimardanis Affinität zur Musik – bis heute legt er professionell in Clubs auf – spiegelt sich auf immer neuen Wegen in seinem Design wider.

Haman Alimardani arbeitet und lebt in München und New York.

hamansutra
ハーマン・アリマルダニは、イランのテヘランで1977年に生まれた。ニューヨークとミュンヘンで育ち、ハンブルグやロンドンでも長い時間を過ごした。

DJ、そしてグラフィティのアーティストとして活動を始めたことがアリマルダニのアーティスティックなキャリアの出発点となった。ミュンヘンでグラフィクデザインを勉強し、ロンドンのセントラル・セント・マーチンズ・カレッジ・オブ・アート・アンド・デザインで2004年にファッション・デザインの学位をとった。

ファッションに対するあくなき好奇心によって、アリマルダニは、ファッションのあらゆる側面について探求した。当時、アリマルダニに大きな影響を及ぼしたのは、デザイナーであるコスタス・ムルクディスのアシスタントを務めたこと（2002年）、そしてミュンヘンでドイツ軍の制服部でインターンを務め、時代に流されないデザインの価値を知ったことだった。

その後、アリマルダニは、ミュンヘンのバーバリアン州立オペラの衣装部で訓練を受けた（2003年）。ここではワグナーの「神々の黄昏」、ヘンデルの「サウル」、ヤコポ・ゴダーニのバレー作品などを手がけ、ルートヴィッヒ王の寝室だった場所にあった劇場衣装部、女子と男子のテーラリング部で経験を積んだあと、最終的には靴の部門に異動した。この間、アリマルダニは、衣装の頭からつま先まで、ファッション業界における職業に必要なスキルを身につけるだけでなく、アートとファッションの間に薄いながらも存在する境界線について考え始めた。以来、アリマルダニ、それについて考え続けている。

「この世は僕にとって舞台なんだ」、アリマルダニは言う。自分の人生という舞台において、キャラクターを務める人々にアーティスティックな背景を提供したいのだそうだ。

アルマルダニは hamansutra レーベルのファッションデザイナーとして、これまでにポルトローナ・フラウ、ケンゾー、Mey、カザール、ナイキ、ポルシェ、マイクロソフト、ユング・フォン・マットなどといったクライアントと仕事をしてきた。

また、2003年からはニューヨークのパーソンズ美術大学でレクチャーを行い、ブルックリンのマイアミ広告学校で講師を務める。

ハーマン・アルマルダニはミュンヘンとニューヨークを拠点に活躍中。
hamansutra.com

CMYK Shoe by hamansutra
The hamansutra think tank now expands with the launch of hamansutra high top shoes

Form
The shoe, a unisex design, has an aesthetic form reminiscent of classical ballet and dance shoes. It is made from quality cowskin leather, with featherlight heel and toe caps that fit closely to the foot like rugged tailor-made socks. The broad lacing and thin sole provide the flexibility and freedom required for acting and dance, yet the special material of the sole ensures that the shoe is suitable for all terrains and provides sufficient protection to prevent foot deformation in everyday wear.

Name
The name indicates a nod to the roots of fashion designer Haman Alimardani, who began his promising career in the field of graphic design. CMYK stands for the four basic colors of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black), used in printing as the basis of all colors. The shoe will be produced in these four shades plus white – as the basic color of paper. „My shoes are to the world as paint is to a picture. I view myself not only as their designer, but also as the creator of a body which constantly rearranges itself from dancing atoms.“

Shoe
Ultra-supple, comfortable sock-like shoe, based on traditional dancers‘ shoes. Available in all colors, suitable as a leisure shoe and for going out.

Photography
Mierswa Kluska

LOVELETTER

the hamansutra think tank now expands with the launch of hamansutra high top shoes, designed to be independent of fashion seasons. They are timeless. creator haman alimardani is a fashion designer, graphic artist and dj. this unisex shoe in quality leather features a supple, ultra-comfortable design modeled on classical ballet and dance shoes and fitting as flexibly as a sock — yet the CMYK is also rugged enough for everyday wear. the CMYK is a go-anywhere shoe that takes you from dance studio or stage to club and city. hamansutra’s message is „My shoes are to the world as paint is to a picture.“

created with love from new york city, manufactured in brazil.
© 100% hamansutra

Photography
Andrew Williams

Also new at BBB is its creative director, Haman Alimardani, founder of the fashion label Hamansutra (↗ form 254, p. 44), who during a two-month stint as part of the BBB team completely revamped its visual identity. We talked to him about the fair, his work and the new concept.

What did your work as the BBB’s creative director actually entail?
First, it was about a new campaign and the marketing needed to get the company back on its feet and restore its self-confidence. Because the BBB suffered such serious setbacks last year, it was good to be able to work with a new team whose members were all highly motivated. There was no room for the sceptics and waverers who used to be there. The creative director is the one with the most responsibility after the owner, so I could have a hand in a lot of other things as well. The most important thing was to win other people’s confidence so that they let you get on with your job.

Have you ever been an exhibitor at BBB yourself?
I had a definite acceptance for my first Hamansutra stand in January 2015 but then BBB became insolvent. I and many others had invested a deal of energy and funds but if you work on timeless products, the cancellation was not so bad. The new BBB is taking place as a start-up from 7 to 9 July 2015 and I am planning on being there with a stand, come what may. Although as an emotional designer and artist, one is often knocked by the large fairs – be it positively or negatively – it is important to be there. Because if you are not at the fair as a visitor or a brand, then you simply don’t exist.

How did the collaboration come about?
After BBB dismissed the previous creative director, a good old friend of mine, Alexander Kernlinger, phoned me. He has been working in the fashion business and for BBB for over 10 years. His call sounded like one you make when a criminal has broken into the house and you immediately call the police: “Can you come to Berlin quickly and design a campaign? It’s got to be crazy and futuristic!” I would have hung up but I wanted to know more immediately and wanted to discuss my fee.

What is different to previous fairs?
The forthcoming BBB is certain to be more personal than previous fairs and none of the brands can decide who their stand will be next to. It will be a playground where new and old generations will meet and get to know one another in a different way. There are lots of talented designers, however, many are going under because the fashion industry is so tough. This has to be changed. Hardworking people also deserve to have a stand. You mustn’t forget that the new BBB is still growing like a living organism and only works if all the brands pull together and purchase stands. This time, entry is free. Before, it cost a legendary 500 euros and the first million was soon made. The prices per square metre are also much better value in July 2015.

What concept did you follow?
That’s easy, because actually there is none – except a very distinctive corporate identity that we hope will inspire others. I insist on my creative licence as an artist in every project. My personal goal has always been to combine tolerance with rigorous organisation and serious action. Only then can new works come about. It is up to the brands to invent the kind of concept they would like the fair to have. In April we had a workshop at Tempelhof in Berlin with all our existing and new customers. The brands realised that they were going to be intellectually challenged. There are always some who are so blinkered that they simply cannot handle the freedom that the absence of a concept offers. They want someone else to jump first and only then will they follow. It really is priceless.

What is the BBB’s new identity intended to communicate?
Bread and Butter Berlin is back! Before the new identity was fi nished, I ran it through the “classic cleaning lady test”. I pasted a sketch of the campaign alongside lots of other campaigns on the street and discovered that the only thing that sticks when you walk past is a big fat “B” – a big fat “B” that is much stronger in terms of attention than any word starting on the letter “B”. There are lots of self-pitying tales of how its insolvency tore the company apart. What I did was to rationalise all those emotive stories and turn them into a poster – an extravagant A0 screen print made with love in Berlin.

 
You come from both worlds, graphic design and fashion design. What influence does this have on your work?
I have always worked eclectically and have taught myself a lot of things. This influence was perfect for this job: graphics for fashion design. I have created a fresh look for a fair at which the most renowned fashion brands are presented, above all, in the area of denim. Because graphic realisation is so very important for products, I have been able to get even more involved. Making a slight exaggeration: the product does 10 per cent of the work and the marketing 90 per cent. And the same is true for my Hamansutra label.

form 254

Like a Phantom – The Designer Haman Alimardani
Hamansutra: a name that sounds strange, yet has a familiar ring. The assonance is, of course, intentional, intended to make us think of Kamasutra, the poetry of desire. Although “sutra” is the Sanskrit word for “textbook”, the literal meaning is “thread”, making it a very apt name for a fashion label.

WEB
form.de

hamansutra’s first shoe range CMYK launches globally in spring/summer 2011/2012. creator haman alimardani is a new york-based avantgarde fashion designer, graphic artist and internationally acclaimed dj. CMYK stands for the four basic print and graphic colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), complemented by versatile white. this unisex shoe in quality leather features a supple, ultra-comfortable design modeled on classical ballet and dance shoes and fitting as flexibly as a sock — yet the CMYK is also rugged enough for everyday wear. unique laces tipped with stereo mini-jacks reference hamansutra’s hallmark: a communication-based fusion of fashion and music. the CMYK is a go- anywhere shoe that takes you from dance studio or stage to club and city.

hamansutra’s message is “my shoes are to the world as paint is to a picture.”

»created with love from new york city, manufactured in brazil.«

HAMANSUTRA POSTER COLLECTION IN ADK BERLIN ARCHIVE
Hamansutra’s imagination and passion know no bounds – and neither does his graphic design work. A limited run of posters created by Hamansutra with other designers are now on display in the Berlin Academy of Arts (ADK) Archive as limited original screenprints and offset prints. It’s a great honour. Thank you, ADK Berlin.

About ADK
The Akademie der Künste (Academy of Arts)
The Berlin Akademie der Künste, founded in 1696, is one of the oldest cultural institutes in Europe. It is an international community of artists and has a current total of 400 members in its six Sections (Visual Arts, Architecture, Music, Literature, Performing Arts, Film and Media Art).

In December 2015 the ADK archives went online for browsers and researchers at archiv.adk.de

Academy address
Akademie der Künste, Archiv
Luisenstr. 60
10117 Berlin
Tel. +49(0)30 200 57- 4040

LINK
adk.de

Schwan-STABILO . HAMANSUTRA WORKSHOP . GERMANY . 2016

Thanks for having me! Hamansutra is happy to accept the invitation from iconic global brand Schwan-STABILO, producer of writing utensils and cosmetics with a long and rich tradition. I will be holding a workshop with young students.

LINK
stabilo.com

MADE WITH PANIK IN NEW YORK DIZZY

A shoot that turns the spotlight on a fashion designer and photographer on the streets of New York.

*This shoot was made with love using analog photography and is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise approved by the Cazal eyewear company or his estate.

CREDITS
Photography
Andrew Williams

Fashion
CMYK Shoes by hamansutra . Denim by hamansutra . Cazal eyewear

Street Cast
Edwin Bethea . Erin Gross . Maddie James . James Gripper . Elijah Pryor . Mike Manolo

Ford Models
Austin Szalkowski

All reproduction in any form and to any extent requires express prior written permission.

© 100% hamansutra

New York 2014

MADE WITH PANIK IN NEW YORK DIZZY

“I was sitting on the corner just a wasting my time, When I realized I was the king of the style”

A shoot that turns the spotlight on a fashion designer and photographer on the streets of New York. hamansutra reports on what he’s seen on the streets of New York, going up to people and giving them an on-the-spot cutting edge style boost.

Whatever they were wearing, styling tips like CMYK Shoes, hamansutra Denim pants and jackets and Cazal* eyewear gave them the feeling of being inside the heartbeat of the city. No more experiments, no more phases – time to be serious and get down to work.

*This shoot was made with love using analog photography and is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise approved by the Cazal eyewear company or his estate.

CREDITS
Photography
Andrew Williams

Fashion
CMYK Shoes by hamansutra . Denim by hamansutra . Cazal eyewear

Street Cast
Maddie James . Elijah Pryor . Mike Manolo

Ford Models
Austin Szalkowski

All reproduction in any form and to any extent requires express prior written permission.
© 100% hamansutra
New York 2013

To all editors and journalists seeking interesting features and editorials, please get in touch – we look forward to collaborations.

a fashion inspiration by hamansutra
A short film that turns the spotlight on a fashion designer and photographer on the streets of New York seeking models that have the extra motivation lacked by agency models. Model agencies are quick to send out setcards and websites for models that turn out to be very different – or don’t even exist.

Photographer and I will rove from downtown to Upper East Side and include you in our deepest thoughts with voiceovers and subtitles. Welcome to “Modelism”!

LINK
vimeo.com/hamansutra/modelism

CREDITS
Fashion Designer . hamansutra
Music . The Egyptian Lover (Greg Broussard)
Featuring . Claire Anderson
Cinematography . Atsushi Nishijima
Editor . Uli Schoen
Intro Animation . Flin
Recording Studio . Jan Krause and 58Beats
Motion Graphics Color Grading . Jacub Moravek . Studio Seidel
Translation . Alison Moffat
Street Cast . Maddie James, Ashley Arico, Erin Schumaker, Heather Jones, Danielle Black, Caroline Collins, Nicky Jackson, Amelie Alkan.

Location at hamansutra studio, New York 2010

© 100% hamansutra

ITUNES . The Egyptian Lover

CAZAL 951 . IN MEMORY OF CARI ZALLONI . 5TH REMEMBRANCE YEAR

In 2013 a presentation with eyewear designers was planned in New York and because I was working with Cazal as creative partner and in Special Marketing and Sales at the time, I was asked to redesign the Cazal 951. I had always wanted to continue updating the design of the Cazal 951 – it’s so much more than eyewear, and I’m familiar in depth with all of the details and all the sources of inspiration that Cari Zalloni had drawn on. When I presented my designs and ideas to the then owner of Cazal in Passau, Germany, he had to laugh when he saw one of my ideas; he recalled Cari Zalloni coming up with exactly the same idea in the 80s and putting it on hold because it was too difficult to realize. He might also have been persuaded to leave it be, under the “no such thing as can’t” philosophy that rules among designers. And now it’s official: Cari, this one’s for you, 32 years on. This is your design, updated by me and implemented as a simulation. Rest in Paradise good old friend. (*1937-2012)

*This shoot was made with love and is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise approved by the Cazal eyewear company or his estate.

New York November 21st, 2010
Pablo’s Birthday Gallery was pleased to present the New York debut of hamansutra’s CAZAL Sunglasses Project.

Foreword by Cari Zalloni
(Austria, Kleinstuebing, Tuesday October 26 2010)
The project “Homage to Cari Zalloni” arose from hamansutra’s passion for CAZAL products, which he collects. In the late eighties Cari Zalloni (head designer of CAZAL) created two sunglasses styles that changed the hiphop community. Denis Pernath and hamansutra present Cazal portraits and collages. London, 2003.

LINK
vimeo.com/17459381

MUSIC
Harlem Nights

NO SUPPORT

MEMORY OF CARI ZALLONI . BORN 1937 DIED 2012 . REST IN LOVE PEACE AND SOUL

CAZAL . eyewear . face . a design symbiosis
Friend, Partner, Mentor, Visionary and Idol. “The world was not ready for the mind of Cari Zalloni”. As a community of Cazal collectors and wearers, we spent years contacting the CAZAL company, trying to get them to issue your Vintage series – a pioneering idea in the late 1990s. We were laughed at, ignored, not taken seriously, while your eyewear landed with the wrong people – the wrong models, the wrong tasteless ad agencies…

Quote from Cari Zalloni’s Foreword
“hiding eyes behind dark glasses is a way of saying “look at me,” expressing the precise opposite of the action, and successful sun eyewear has a function which extends far beyond mere eye protection. for me, the eyewear market in the USA is and always has been my special market.”

As the saying goes, the prophet is without honor in his own country. Wake up, Germany! I’m happy that I could add some honor by staging a homage to you in New York City, with a foreword written by you that I waited years to get. Not an easy undertaking, but a very valuable one. We miss you, dear Cari. We had such plans. But we’ll continue to honor your work.

Cari Zalloni was an eyewear designer of outstanding reputation. His Cazal sunglasses – a name derived by combining the first syllables of his first and last names – are characterized by aggressive styling, unique detailing and unparalleled craftsmanship and express his uncompromising design attitude.

He says, “A designer eyewear line that pleases everyone is unlikely to inspire. Good design must be thought-provoking.”

Cazal eyewear
Today the eyewear and sun eyewear designed by Cari Zalloni is a success story spanning 40 years and acclaimed all over the world Cazal eyewear is associated with old school hiphop, graffiti, breakdance, DJs, record collectors and a host of other personalities like EGYPTIAN LOVER, MICHAEL JACKSON, RUN DMC, MELANIE GRIFFITH, RODNEY O & JOE COOLEY, ELVIS PRESLEY, BARRY NEWMAN, STEVIE WONDER, FAT BOYS, MIKE TYSON, GWEN STEFANI and JAY Z.

You buy jewelry with money – and I turn money into jewelry.

Interesting encounters in NYC when I took to the streets with my wad of notes on my cap. Some people laughed out loud, some people on Broadway asked if they could take my picture, some just took the picture without asking. The paparazzi effect! And the hard side of street life in the US – all the homeless and crashed-and-burned veterans out begging. I presented money as jewelry, an odd concept for these fragile existences. “Spare change, homie? God bless, but hold on!?! You have some money on your cap!” Look at all the people loaded with silver jewelry, antlers, headphones, all that stuff. Incredible how people run around with blinkers and my idea is suddenly regarded as unusual, weird or strange. NYC is conservative too.

No risk, nothing new. May I introduce: Cash Clip for caps.

© 2017 HAMANSUTRA, LLC
NEW YORK . MUNICH

Let me introduce my latest accessory.

Join the idea of wearing a cap with a penholder! I’m always travelling and noting ideas, so it’s great to have a pen handy at all times. Take note – as long as you keep hacking away at your smartphones, nothing will come of it. Keep romance alive and start writing your name in graffiti on the wall.

March 31, 2015
WWD
Bread & Butter names Haman Alimardani new Creative Director

By QUYNH TRAN

BERLIN — After a tumultuous year and extensive changes in its structure, Bread & Butter GmbH on Tuesday revealed the appointment of Haman Alimardani, known as Hamansutra, as creative director. Alimardani was born in Tehran in 1977 and grew up New York and Munich. He started his artistic carreer as a DJ and graffiti writer before studying graphic design in Munich and fashion design at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. His professional experiences include an education in costume design at the Bavarian State Opera and Kostas Murkudis. Under his label Hamansutra, he has created works for Kenzo, Mey, Nike, Porsche, Microsoft, Jung von Matt and others. He has lectured at Parsons The New School of Design, the Miami Ad School in Brooklyn and at the AMD Akademie Mode Design in Munich. He was in charge of the campaign for the next edition of B&B. The new nomination comes against the backdrop of changes for the next edition of the restructured Bread & Butter planned for July 7 to 9. After filing for insolvency in December last year and a guerrilla show for the edition last January, Karl-Keinz Muller unveiled a new exhibition concept with a focus on young and innovative labels including an interdisciplinary lifestyle scope.

What is time?
1000 years are a single day.

Portrait of Fashion Designer hamansutra

hamansutra is taken in for questioning and his evidence is taken down, videographed in a video conference. Exploring the truth and exploring decisions about visions of the future. How can we speak so lightly of the future? Under the original Persian calendar we operate in a different age. We discuss what life will be like in thousand years.

Welcome to 7112!

LINK
vimeo.com/48855566

Asian Leading Design Magazine

Xie xie!

Super Paper, the newspaper that focuses on life in all its aspects.
Print edition published monthly in Greater Munich.

LINK
superpaper

by Agnes Bachmaier

 

Rubric – We Love
Madame Magazine has created the world’s 2nd smallest hamansutra feature ever – but then Munich is a village, what else did you expect? Dankeschön!

Two in one
The power of transformation:
Iranian designer Haman Alimardani has designed a reversible denim collection featuring exclusive buttons (which work like cufflinks) from Italian furnishing manufacturer Poltrona Frau. Just take them out, reverse the jeans or jacket and replace them for cool style in
ultra-painstaking bespoke craftsmanship. By hamansutra, from 320 EUR

LINK
MADAME

Because perfection is protection.
created with love from New York City and handmade in Italy and Munich

A 32-page Denim by hamansutra fashion lookbook. The book has been published in a limited edition of only 500.

Enquiries
Place your order by sending us a email.

All reproduction in any form and to any extent requires express prior written permission.
© 100% hamansutra
New York 2013

CREDIT
Photography
Detlef Schneider

hamansutra’s private life is featured in “The Creatives of the World“. To date no publication has featured hamansutra’s personal drawings, living space and bedroom. Now this insight into his personal life is premiered together with other artists from all over the world. 

STORY by Moritz Lorenz
9 months around the world, countries including Germany, India, Nepal, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, with the aim of interviewing a creative person in each country.

“A high ceiling and a huge book shelf to my left, mirroring Haman’s life – from childhood toys on the top right to spray cans on the top left and further down to Persian history books, a coffee-table book on “The fifth element”, Björk, Jean Remy von Matt and Holger Jung, the purple USELESS magazine, Banksy. Inspirational materials sorted chronologically from the past until today. Wow”

The 65-page softback book is published as print on demand only.
Printed in Germany

SIZE
24 x 28 CM
9.4 x 11 INCHES

€ 48.00

On March 24th 2014, I was holding a lecture on my work.
“schwäche, was soll das sein?”

MCAD Creative School
Richard-Strauss-Strasse 26
81677 Munich

PDF LINK
openhouse hamansutra

25 things you should know about hamansutra. He is featured and interviewed in Cocoon Magazine Germany.

Q & A
what gift would you like to present to whom?
A menswear collection to Helmut Lang.

the most intoxicating fragrance?
A woman’s body.

what do you see when you look in the mirror?
A chameleon changing its colors.

Cocoon Magazine is nominated for the LEAD Award (Hamburg) in the category Best Magazine.

“Leather Shoes from New York”
hamansutra presents CMYK, a shoe collection with a simplicity that’s timeless, yet cutting-edge contemporary.

CREDIT
Editor . Julia Zierer
Photography . Andrew Williams

“Stepping to the Beat”
The CMYK shoe by New York-based fashion label, hamansutra, has mini-jacks for laces.

LINK
runway.blogs.nytimes.com

It was serendipitous that a headphone cable fell on top of Haman Alimardani’s shoes while he was D.J.-ing one evening. The accident lent itself to his artful design: the CMYK shoe by the New York-based fashion label, hamansutra. The shoes feature stereo mini-jacks for laces.

A fresh take on the nerd-chic trend, the CMYK shoe boasts cowskin leather and a thin, comfortable sole.

Their aesthetic will likely find fans in the trend-conscious crowd, but Mr. Alimardani insists the shoes have lasting appeal. “The construction makes it timeless,” he said. “The leather is so soft it feels like a second skin. It’s important to me that the shoe follows the foot’s organic shape.”
Being organic (not in the eco-friendly sense) is a major part of Mr. Alimardani’s creative process. He conceptualized the shoes so each detail represents one of his most treasured art forms. The flexible structure is a nod to traditional dance shoes. The microphone jacks are an ode to his work as an internationally acclaimed D.J. And the name speaks to his love of graphic design. CYMK is the color model used in printing in which all colors are described as a mixture of these four: cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and key (black). Naturally, the unisex shoe is available in each.

Mr. Alimardani imagines the shoe as a “communication-based fusion of fashion and sound.” What genre of music, then, do the shoes remind him of? “Soul music,” he said. “Marvin Gaye. Timeless but at the same time, creative.”

That should give hipsters something to listen to as they step out in these innovative flats.

CMYK shoe by hamansutra, $350, at cmyk.hamansutra.com.

CREDIT
EDITOR . Jessica C. Andrews
PHOTOGRAPHY . Andrew Williams

Old and bold classmates meet up. Henrik Vibskov and hamansutra studied at the same elite fashion school in London – Central St. Martins. At a get-together in Vibskov’s New York boutique hamansutra is welcomed with open arms.

Distribution
Henrik vibskov boutique
456 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013

henrikvibskov.com

Sueddeutsche Zeitung Magazine has created the world’s smallest hamansutra feature ever – but then Munich is a village, what else did you expect?
Dankeschoen.

LINK
sz-magazin.sueddeutsche.de

“A Tribute to Kraftwerk – Suits by hamansutra”
We are proud to present the 2012 launch of our menswear line “suits by hamansutra“ with visible silver magnet button. The suits by hamansutra are “A Tribute to Kraftwerk”

Created and manufactured with love in New York City.

Note
hamansutra cut his teeth in military tailoring – and has the chops to incorporate these elements into his suits.

Delivery
Pre-order 2-3 weeks
hamansutra creations are personally tailored. For this reason, please allow a minimum of two weeks for production and delivery.

The pioneering electronic music band KRAFTWERK
kraftwerk.com

Release Date
April 10th, 2012

Many memories. Another world. Another time.
Over the last quarter-century they’ve worked at the famous Kling Klang Studio in various ways – sometimes by daylight, sometimes by night. From composition and design to absolute silence, they’ve always kept the golden thread firmly in their hands. “The Man Machine” aka Ralf Huetter, Karl Bartos, Wolfgang Fluer and Florian Schneider.