Architectural Fashion Design | A-COLD-WALL* | Dr Samuel Ross | V&A

Dr Samuel Ross, founder of men's fashion brand A-COLD-WALL*, describes his clothing as “armour for the now” – a personal, protective architecture for the body. Combining elements of sportswear, industrial design, and sharp tailoring, A-COLD-WALL* is revolutionising contemporary streetwear. This film looks in detail at the Converge Gilet – a signature garment conveying protection, utility, and masculinity – now in the museum's collection. Ross explains the form and function of the piece and its inspiration, from his own fascination with raw materials like alabaster, to diverse historical art references and 20th-century public housing. Background, influences and masculinity: 00:00 Materials, form and design: 01:02 Converge Gilet and armour: 02:30 Converge Gilet features in detail : 03:05 Architecture, the body and colour: 04:40 Storytelling, antiquity and the now: 05:14 Find out more about the Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear exhibition: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/fashioning-masculinities-the-art-of-menswear See more in our Fashion collection: https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion