Sibling. White tracksuit printed with toile-de-Jouy print (by Joe Bates) showing scenes from the 2011 East London riots. 2012

White knit tracksuit with blue toile du Jouy style print showing scenes from the 2011 London riots.

Given by Charlie Porter

This is part of a group of early 2010s menswear donated to the V&A by Charlie Porter, one of the most influential British menswear fashion journalists of the early 21st century. In 2000 Porter became deputy fashion editor for The Guardian, and since then, has worked as an associate editor for GQ and deputy editor for Fantastic Man. He currently writes for The Financial Times as their menswear critic, in addition to his freelance work, DJ-ing and maintaining an active blogging presence online. Porter is particularly known for his understanding of contemporary menswear and familiarity with developing streetwear and alternative trends.

At the time of the donation, Porter provided commentary on many of the pieces. He said of this piece:

"This collection by Sibling was so personal, responding to the London riots that had happened in East London not that long before. From a distance, the Toile de Jouy may look normal, but it's actually scenes from the riot drawn especially for the collection by the late Joe Bates, one of the original Sibling threesome who died in 2015. I loved this look, and wore the trackpants one day for London Collections Men, the sort of piece where you think, should I be wearing these in public?, and then immediately think, I don't care."

Porter also blogged specifically about this ensemble in an undated blog post titled "BEST SWEATER IN WORLD UPDATE: Sibling are sudden contender for Best Sweater In The World. Ever." He described it as amazing, "one of those sweaters that everyone comments on," and "an absolute pleasure to wear. What might seem audacious on the hanger becomes charming on the body."

- Daniel Milford-Cottam
20/05/2016

T.86:1, 2-2015