Los Angeles based artist and designer Steven Harrington is no stranger to collaborations, having previously worked with brands such as Moncler, Bombay Sapphire and HUF on bespoke pieces of artwork which allow each brand to delve into the art world with fun pieces and collections. For his latest venture, he has teamed up with BE@RBRICKS to create three bears, one of which is in full pewter metal. So what are they, and what’s all the hype about?
Not to be mistaken for toys, BE@RBRICKS are collectable figures comprised of nine parts: a head, torso, hips, arms, hands, and legs with joints that can move. They come in a variety of different sizes and are sold in series with two drops a year. Adding to their exclusivity, each BE@RBRICK series and theme also has its own level of rarity, all contributing to their collectability and growing prominence. They’re also intertwined with streetwear and fashion communities, having previously collaborated with brands such as BAPE, Undercover, Chanel and Supreme to name a few.
BAPE
In their collaboration with BAPE and mastermind Japan, the BE@RBRICK figure was glossed in a vivid “Green Camo” pattern that works in mastermind JAPAN’s signature skull-and-crossbones motif. The piece depicts BAPE’s iconic shark hoodie that’s zipped all the way up to the top, cementing it as a streetwear collectible.
CHANEL
Similarly, the BE@RBRICK x Chanel figure is one of the most expensive on the market. Karl Lagerfeld, the former creative director of Chanel, designed this model in 2006 himself and based it on the brand’s founder, Coco Chanel. Only 1,000 of these figures were made and most of them were specially displayed inside Chanel boutiques. Only a handful have ever surfaced on the market – the most recent fetching £30,000 at Christie’s.
SUPREME
Supreme’s BE@RBRICK is actually part of their collaboration with Louis Vuitton, coming in all red with the iconic collaboration’s crossover logo monogram. Because of this, they’re extremely popular and only a few are still floating around online.
YUE MINJUN
The most expensive BE@RBRICK comes in at US $157,000, a collaboration with artist Yue Minjun. This hefty price tag has brought the figures a cult-celebrity following, attracting Pharrell Williams and KENZO’s Nigo, as well as worldwide art galleries.
STEVEN HARRINGTON
Harrington’s latest BE@RBRICK, made entirely of metal, stands at roughly a foot tall, and is limited in its run. Speaking about the metalwork collab, the artist expressed that he “couldn’t be more satisfied with the hand-crafted construction.” Check out the campaign video below.
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