The Museum of Modern Art New York City, Stephen Prina, Engineered Garments

The Museum of Modern Art New York City and artist Stephen Prina have created a series of exhibitions and special performances highlighting over five decades of Prina’s work, titled “A Lick and a Promise”.

Engineered Garments had the honor of creating a very special costume for Stephen to be worn during his performances and presentations. As a long time fan of Engineered Garments, Stephen has selected his favorite styles from Engineered Garments and Workaday, co-designed with Daiki Suzuki, in creating unique pieces inspired from his past performances and experiences. Resulting a mix of formal and informal elements that push the boundaries while staying authentic to each perspective.

Below are a few points of each style Stephen Prina has chosen for his fully custom made pieces for his upcoming performances.

Shop Coat
A fusion of two United States Navy military jackets, Utility Jacket and a long shop or lab coat both dating back to the 1940’s - 1950’s. As separates, both are iconic styles in Engineered Garments, secondary line, Workaday, which is a small line highly influenced by military and civilian uniforms, work wear, utilitarian wear, and more. Each garment is made in New York to preserve authenticity to its references.

With this idea, Stephen has taken the essence of Workaday and taken it further by taking key elements from a tuxedo and applying it to the work wear uniform jacket. Stephen has also selected a dark navy uniform surge wool, which is the same fabric used by the New York City Police Department. In some areas of the backside of the fabric, there are stamps showing the seal of the NYPD.

Fatigue Pant
The Fatigue Pant, also a US military uniform pant but from the 60’s - 70’s, Stephen has applied the tuxedo satin side stripe to the trouser. Creating a two piece highly adaptable two piece suit which can be worn formally together or as separate pieces. The Fatigue Pant is a staple style for both Engineered Garments mainline and Workaday.

Also utilizing the same dark navy uniform surge wool as the jacket to create a seamless two piece look.

Short Collar Shirt
Originating in the 80s, the Short Collar Shirt style was popularized by many fashion designers, such as Rei Kawakubo of Comme Des Garcons and is also a staple style within the Engineered Garments line every season. Key elements of the shirt is the shirt does not have any top stitching finishing and a hidden button placket, offering a very clean look.

Banded Collar Shirt
Also known as the “grandpa shirt” in the 30’s - 40’s, this shirt was known for the banded collar or no collar shirt which can be dressed up or down. Key details that are applied to make it fall within the world of Engineered Garments are mainly focused in the neckline with collar attachment points offering the wearing an option to apply a collar or not.

Stephen has chosen two iconic Engineered Garments fabrics, 100’s 2ply broadcloth and cotton oxford, in addition to a sheer chiffon fabric. His idea was to create movement and motion of the clothing while his body is moving in a different direction. While wearing a printed t-shirt underneath, also has an element of surprise as the print becomes visible in certain perspectives.