Colbo NYC Pops Up in Paris
Twice a year, during Fashion Week season, the fashion capitals of New York, London, Milan, and Paris become the land of opportunity. The cities overflow with fashion enthusiasts, industry professionals, and everyone who wants a piece of the cake. In addition to the highly anticipated shows of renowned houses and designers, the metropolitan areas transform into a global fashion stage that hosts all fashion-related events. A display of music, scenery, and lighting all work together to create a multisensory, playful, week-long celebration of creativity and style.
During Paris Men’s Fashion Week last June, Whitewall ventured into the realms of these captivating events by Colbo NYC. The newest hotspot in downtown Manhattan, the multi-disciplinary space and fashion label founded by designer Tal Silberstein, hosted an immersive pop-up and five-day experience in the Le Marais district that transported the brand’s aesthetic and ambiance. Each evening, the Colbo community welcomed DJs, producers, friends, and locals to create engaging physical experiences and a space for creative interaction and expression.
The pop-up event was anchored around a new Colbo collection and several one-offs and capsules created with other labels. That included the Colbo Exclusive Camiel Fortgens capsule collaboration and an exclusive set of items from Adish, Csillag, Archie, Karu, Satta, and Small Talk Studios.
Photo by Lucia Bell Epstein, courtesy of Colbo NYC.
The Origins of Colbo NYC
Located at 51 Orchard Street in New York, Colbo is an innovative retail space that goes beyond the common clothing store. Simply put, it’s a place of gathering where one can both indulge and just be. It offers a curated selection of original and vintage clothing, home goods, and vinyl records, as well as an espresso and tea bar.
Colbo aspires to be first and foremost a space for creative interaction and expression, to nurture emerging talents, inspire new trends, and provide a supportive network for designers, artisans, models, stylists, and enthusiasts alike. Brands featured in the space include Karu Research, Carter Young, Paratodo, Adish x Smalltalk Studio, Angelo Baque for Champion, Upstate, Kate Walz, and No Maintenance, to name a few.
Silberstein, the founder, and designer, is Tel-Aviv born and bred. He operated and engaged in different roles in fashion, music, and culture. Working with Hed Meyner, the LVMH Prize-winning designer, Tal relocated from his hometown to NYC in 2018 to be on the launching team at Public Records and develop his vision for what would be born as Colbo. Traveling through India and Asia, spending months as a member of the Hare Krishna community in Australia, and living in California, New York, and his hometown of Tel Aviv led to the birth of his seamless lifestyle brand.
Photo by Lucia Bell Epstein, courtesy of Colbo NYC.
Creating Community with Colbo NYC
Entering Colbo NYC, the smell of freshly brewed coffee welcomes you, accompanied by music and a sense of belonging. Rather than the traditional fashion boutique, Silberstein wanted to create a platform that serves as a community hub and hosts workshops, events, and discussions to educate and engage the public.
Since opening its doors in November 2021, Colbo has held popups, exhibitions, and performances with artists, chefs, winemakers, and fashion labels to create physical experiences both for friends and the local community. Realizing that community is undeniably the driving force propelling fashion forward, Silberstein developed a concept that allows individuals who passionately engage in fashion to share experiences, collaborate, and connect.
Photo by Lucia Bell Epstein, courtesy of Colbo NYC.
A Focus on the Sustainable, Locally Made, and Limited Quantities
Sustainability and an ongoing life-cycle of materials are deeply ingrained in the Colbo ethos. A majority of Colbo pieces are produced with natural fibers, recycled nylon, wool, cashmere scrap fabric, waffle deadstock cotton, deadstock micro plaid wool, and other upcycled textiles. Colbo’s line is produced in New York City and Los Angeles, handcrafted by expert seamstresses. Technically, menswear, it has oversized fits and materials that are suitable for all genders.
Inspired by vintage materials and an array of cultures, Colbo NYC presents relaxed fits in subtle earth tones, offering unique yet approachable shapes, materials, and detailing. The label utilizes existing, natural materials and deadstock fabrics, produced in limited quantities. There are usually somewhere between five and twenty pieces per style, ensuring each item retains a special, non-reproducible quality.
Photo by Lucia Bell Epstein, courtesy of Colbo NYC.
By promoting sustainable practices, focusing on ethical production, using eco-friendly materials, and supporting local artisans and designers, Colbo NYC creates a platform that highlights emerging brands with transparent supply chains that align with these principles and offers consumers an opportunity to make conscious choices while indulging in their love for fashion. This reflects a growing awareness and demand for fashion that goes beyond aesthetics, empowering consumers to make a positive impact through their purchasing decisions.
Through fashion communities, ideas are exchanged, traditions are preserved, and cultural narratives are woven into garments. Individuals within, express their identities, challenge societal norms, and contribute to the evolving landscape of fashion. The shared values, knowledge, and resources within Colbo create an ecosystem where ideas are nurtured, movements are sparked, and a collective vision for the future of fashion is forged.
Photo by Lucia Bell Epstein, courtesy of Colbo NYC.
