For 20 years, Michael Kalish has been creating large scale interactive monuments for public enjoyment. The US-based sculptor also makes smaller scale works, lining the walls of galleries and museums around the world. He also crafts commissioned pieces for prestigious clients, "world leaders, fortune 100 companies, past presidents, professional athletes, and musicians," reads a confessional on Kalish's website.
So, why join the competitive garment industry?
"As a fine artist of more than twenty years, I believe in creating unique pieces that gain value over time," reads Kalish's Kickstarter page for his new men's wear lifestyle brand, Kalish & Sons.
"I asked myself, 'how could that be applied to creating a line of limited-edition products?"
Kalish's artistic work has always been made from reclaimed objects.
“The art world is an interesting place,” Kalish told WWD in an interview. “It’s been very good to me but it’s been very limited. I wanted to create a new form of art with this collection.”
Kalish spent five years researching different textile options for Kalish & Sons. After meeting with manufacturers across the country, new designer settled on used utility fabrics - like canvas - to stitch together his Made in the U.S. collection.
"Instead of gaining value over time, I focused on creating a product that gain character over time and tell a story, a product so well made it could be designed and crafted so that someone could pass it on to their children."
These generational pieces that Kalish speaks of include a chore coat made from a breathable duck canvas and a hand-screen printing lining with an original pattern design. Kalish & Sons offers accessories too: a utilitarian duffel bag, and limited-edition canvas prints screened on U.S. mail bags.
A leather journal will accompany each bag sale too.
Orders taken online via Kickstarter means items sold will be initially made-to-order "so we can concentrate on hand-making only what we need without having any excess product or material," says Kalish.
The designer does plan to grow his line, however, offering more men’s wear staples to accompany the wax coat and bags - as well as some home items in the future.
But his pieces will never be mass produced with the risk of having surplus stock.
"There is a story behind each of these pieces,” Kalish told WWD. “I didn’t want to collaborate with great makers and sit on thousands and thousands of units. If I sell a thousand coats, I will make a thousand coats.”