Ten years into designing his self-named label, Carsten Rundholz sought out a small team of Japanese textile artists to better understand their indigenous dyeing processes. His intention was to elevate what was, at the time, his only focus: Rundholz. However, with his hands deep in vats of indigo blue, Carsten realized that dyeing techniques were a world of their own… a medium yet explored in his own artistic tongue. From this experience, DIP was born.
Twenty years later, Carsten pays homage to these origins with denim that could be straight off Kojima’s Jean Street. As with all DIP designs, each piece is assembled and then dip-dyed by Carsten and his team. This method leads not only to a unique finish, but moments of precious spontaneity, such as artful splatters across a hem. Often you will see DIP’s care tags soaked and crinkled by the same dye.
Ombré plays a big part in the delivery, reading as equal parts ocean wave and acid wash. Find within the collection many cool and wearable pieces: tees that resemble hard denim, but feel like a favorite cotton shirt; structured jackets made from layered panels to create an armor-like silhouette. Zings of orange pop across the designs in details big and small, from drawstrings and zipper pulls to sporty pull-on pants and soft jackets.
Literally “a reason to live,” Ikigai is a Japanese tenet encompassing the things that give your life purpose, meaning, and joy. For us, it’s beauty; for Carsten, it’s having his hands and brain immersed in the wilds of creativity.
