The Ben Davis x Motofumi “POGGY” Kogi Work in Many Forms collection is a nine-piece workwear capsule developed by San Francisco-based brand Ben Davis in collaboration with fashion curator POGGY. The release builds on their previous partnership and revisits core garments through updated proportions and material choices. The collection was produced entirely in Japan, applying local manufacturing and finishing techniques to classic workwear formats.
The lineup includes denim jackets, wide-leg pants, and work vests constructed from Japanese denim with a beige weft that creates a worn, vintage-like surface. Archival elements such as the red gorilla dot buttons from the 1970s are reintroduced, alongside yellow printed brand labels. Select pieces feature artwork by Japanese calligrapher Ryo Uchiyama, adding graphic detailing across garments. The collection maintains traditional workwear structure while adjusting fit and surface treatment across each piece.
Image Credit: Ben Davis
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Heritage Workwear Revival
- Designers are reinterpreting archival workwear silhouettes with modern proportions and finishes, creating nostalgia-driven premium offerings.
- Localized Artisanal Production
- Production concentrated in regional artisanal hubs uses traditional Japanese manufacturing and finishing techniques to impart provenance and craft-led value.
- Collaborative Curator Capsules
- Brand and curator partnerships are generating limited, narrative-rich capsules that elevate product storytelling and collector interest.
Where This Applies
- Apparel and Fashion
- Elevated workwear capsules combining archival motifs, contemporary fits, and artisanal detailing present new value propositions for fashion brands.
- Textile and Fabric Manufacturing
- Innovations in denim weaving and surface treatments, such as beige wefts and vintage-like finishes, enable distinct material differentiation in textile production.
- Direct-to-consumer Retail
- Scarce, curator-curated drops and provenance-focused narratives are reshaping merchandising dynamics and consumer engagement in DTC retail.
