Job Security is 1derful’s Nod to Detroit
The labor itself became part of the collection’s theme.
Photo by Sam Rao
“In the vibrant spirit of Detroit's industrial landscape, Job Security is a reflection of the endured resilience ingrained within blue-collar communities,” says 1derful founder and designer Bryan Wilson. “As a product of this environment, I've been privy to the narratives of perseverance and determination that define the lives of those who labor tirelessly in pursuit of stability. Each look represents this in its own way, combining these two lives.”
As part of his senior collection, Wilson, the Detroit native, created Job Security as a nod to his hometown. Known as the Motor City, Wilson depicts Detroit staples throughout the collection’s graphics, motifs, and fabric manipulations. He did this by experimenting (and may we add, mastering) the arts of laser etching, embroidery, airbrushing, and the traditional sashiko stitching method.
“This collection marks the first time I've undertaken such a deep evaluation in preparation,” he says. “I delved deeply into my roots, exploring my upbringing and the people around me. Growing up in Detroit, I came to realize the strong influence of the blue-collar industry on me and the work I create. For this collection, I wanted to delve even deeper into that influence. None of my previous collections has told a story that means as much to me personally.”
In addition to Wilson's deep conceptualization of Job Security, the labor itself became part of the collection’s theme. Whether a mistake or perfection, every moment of the design process became reminiscent of the people of Detroit’s unyielding work ethic. Each piece is intended to depict a different type of worker and the responsibilities that come with them, symbolizing the universal desire for ‘job security.’
Wilson garners this through durable utility wear, denim, and outerwear in combination with timeless statement pieces. The Driven racing dress depicts that of a racecar driver — representative of Detroit’s annual Grand Prix in the heart of Motor City’s Belle Isle. The Repaired look mirrors a labor worker in distressed clothing with dirt and oil stains on the pants. Wrapped pays homage to the corporate Detroit employee with a high-fashion twist. Tech and finance buildings are popping up and booming all over the city in addition to the OG corporate Detroit jobs at GM, Ford, and other car companies. This look reinvents how the next generation of employees will look in the offices.
“Work is something most people experience, regardless of their field or background,” Wilson says. “When people wear this collection, I want them to feel and understand the hardships faced on both the blue-collar and white-collar sides. While some looks may lean more towards one side than the other, the overall experience can resonate with the wearer based on their own work field experiences.”
Growing up in Detroit and attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Wilson experienced the best of both worlds regarding blue-collar and white-collar jobs. Something that’s always stuck with Wilson is that from a young age, he realized many Detroiters, especially Black and Brown residents, didn’t have the privilege or opportunity to work less labor-intensive jobs.
“My grandmother was a heavy influence in this collection and a lot of my work,” he says. “Throughout my entire life, she worked in a Chrysler automotive plant for 23 years until she was recently laid off this past summer. Her whole world came to a stop, something she had known for so long coming to a close. As I grew up, I saw my grandmother in her workwear attire, preparing to leave the house, wearing her Carhartt, Dickies, and more.”
While attending U of M, Wilson began to lose that sense of home that he calls Detroit. The environment was the polar opposite, and he found himself relating less to his peers despite being only 40 minutes from Detroit. He made the majority of Job Security at U of M, helping him bring back the nostalgic feeling of home while being able to educate his colleagues on his origins.
Job Security is a collection of many firsts. Whether it be a new construction technique or a type of garment he’d never made before, Wilson did not hesitate to take more risks than in any previous collection.
“The process behind this collection was quite intense,” he says. “It allowed me to explore numerous fabric manipulation methods, many of which I was trying for the first time. This led to several issues and problems along the way. Many of the dresses in this collection stemmed from my efforts to understand how to construct a dress properly. Prior to this collection, I had never produced any dresses for my brand, so this was a new territory for me to explore. I even went through many design iterations that were completely scrapped because they didn't accurately represent the theme or meet the collection's goal.”
As Wilson continues his journey as a fashion designer, he aims to become a household name for timeless, elevated streetwear. His pact to continue hand-making every piece will prevail, hoping to become more bespoke with every stitch, embroidery, flaw, and perfection.
You can explore the entire Job Security collection and previous collections at bcwarts.com.
