"Clothes can protect you, but they can also suffocate you." That tension between utility and restraint, function and emotion was at the heart of Tethered, my third collection produced alongside Jeremy Whitaker." When i-D Italy reached out to highlight Rivers McCall in their Rebel Label feature alongside functional giants like Arc’teryx and Patagonia, it validated a vision born out of climbing ropes, reclaimed textiles, and hand-built design. Merging a background in rock climbing with tactile disciplines like crochet, leatherworking, and upcycling, my work aims to transform raw, technical materials into intricate wearable art. In this post, I’m sharing the story behind the i-D feature, the live performance elements that brought the collection to life, and how outdoor culture continues to shape the evolution of the brand.
Being featured as one of six brands to watch was a recognition of process. In an industry dominated by fast production and mass manufacturing, i-D zeroed in on the labor-intensive, process-driven nature of what we do in the studio. From hand-knotting heavy-duty cordage to choreographing live performance art with Jocelynn LoJacono and KD Poehlman to explore the co-dependent relationship we have with what we wear, the piece captured the exact core of the brand. It served as a reminder that gorpcore doesn't have to mean technical nylon jacket clones; it can be raw, hand-crafted, deeply personal, and unapologetically experimental.
