In August 2024, Otto Resource and Copenhagen-based concept store Grocery unveil their first-ever collaborative exhibition. Taking place in Grocery’s new activation space in Nørrebro, the exhibition will focus on the possibilities (and necessity) of improved research, accessible tools, and community infrastructure across todays’s fashion landscape.
Daily Admission
Elmegade 21, 2200 Copenhagen N
05.08–09.08.2024 09:00 to 18:00 CET


Opening Reception
07.08.2024 17:00 to 21:00 CET


AUTOPOUL Afterparty
Hejrevej 31, 2400 Copenhagen NV
09.08.2024 21:00 to 00:00 CET
In August 2024, Otto Resource and Copenhagen-based concept store Grocery unveil their first-ever collaborative exhibition. Taking place in Grocery’s new activation space in Nørrebro, the exhibition will focus on the possibilities (and necessity) of improved research, accessible tools, and community infrastructure across todays’s fashion landscape.


Daily Admission
Elmegade 21, 2200 Copenhagen N
05.08–09.08.2024
09:00 to 18:00 CET


Opening Reception
07.08.2024
17:00 to 21:00 CET


AUTOPOUL Afterparty
Hejrevej 31, 2400 Copenhagen NV
09.08.2024
21:00 to 00:00 CET
“Innovation” doesn’t only represent something better or new, but something that shapes a better attitude towards design
(Sub)cultural “Association” often draw an intelligible connection between a product’s innovative promise and its “Values”
“Values” represent the consumer’s philosophical, sociological, and ecological beliefs, all while fostering a deeper connection to the product
A proprietary design “Method” can be formed by connecting a product’s “Values” with the elements that make it foundational
“Foundation” is the base from which “Values” and “Needs” are determined, and through which the extent of “Innovation” is understood
“Use” is defined by the “Needs” placed on a product and how these relate to its foundational promise as a piece of design
“Needs” are largely informed by the “Values” placed on a product by its end consumer, target market, socio-economic position, and brand
The “Aesthetics” of a product should be shaped by addressing its “Needs” and the degree to which it needs to be innovative
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OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 1:Revisiting a World-Defining Design Theory
SubjectFunction Complex Part 1
Categories Clothing Design; Purple Label; Exhibition Design
AuthorAdam Barnard
Published03 August 2024

In August 2024, Otto Resource and the Copenhagen-based concept store Grocery unveiled “Function Complex”, their first-ever collaborative exhibition. Held in Grocery’s new activation space in Nørrebro, the exhibition focused on the possibilities (and necessity) of improved research, accessible tools, and community infrastructure across today’s fashion landscape.

Among others, the exhibition references the work and philosophies of Austrian-born American designer and educator

Victor Papanek. One of contemporary culture’s strongest advocates for socially and ecologically responsible design in products, tools, and community infrastructures, Papanek, was also the originator of “Function Complex”, the theory from which the exhibition took its name.

Given the continued relevance of Papanek’s theory, Otto Resource and Grocery set out to develop a case study that applied it to the sociological and ecological problems affecting the fashion industry today. With said industry having become increasingly definable in recent years — resulting largely by “copycat culture” — the exhibition pushed beyond such assessments to embrace and revel in the beauty of process and deeper consideration.

Papanek argued that design is a conscious and intuitive effort to impose meaningful order, and the “Function Complex” is a method for achieving this. The system considers six functional requirements, visualized in a graph: Method, Association, Aesthetics, Need, Telesis, and Use.

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Scheiwiller Editore’s cover for “Good Design”, the seminal publication by Bruno Munari that subjected various forms of nature to the judgment of the modern designer, 1963

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Gernot Böhme’s “Ästhetischer Kapitalismus” as published by Suhrkamp in 2016.

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Victor Papanek filming the WNED-TV Channel 17 program “Design Dimensions” in Buffalo, New York, 1961–1963

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The yin and yang symbol features on Papanek’s original “Function Complex”, with him explaining that “the monad appears at each of the six aspects, indicating the soft–hard, feeling–thinking, intuitive–intellectual mix, which determines each of these six evaluative criteria.”

Papanek’s reflections on the very foundations of meaningful — and for lack of a better term, “good” — design were far ahead of their time. The requirement of Telesis, for example, remains largely unconsidered even today. It refers to the necessity of paying attention to the cultural Zeitgeist and the socioeconomic order in which one operates. However, Papanek also notes that economic pressures often lead to environmentally undesirable design outcomes, with such pressures potentially even dissolving the need to cater to the

cultural Zeitgeist. In short, when money is tight, designers often revert to creating something that simply sells.

Having long grappled with (and understood) this particular shortcoming, Otto Resource sought to reemphasize the importance of research with “Function Complex”, all while proposing an informed and systematic approach that can be practiced almost entirely free of charge.

01 Innovation
Association 02
Method 04
06 Use
07 Needs
Values 03
08 Aesthetics
Foundation 05
01 Innovation
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Variation 09 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket reflects Otto Resource’s commitment to transforming textiles into something unexpected, inviting a deeper engagement from the viewer. Through experimentation, distressing, and washing of a resin-coated cotton from Limonta, Otto Resource achieved a look reminiscent of worn leather, evoking the styles once worn by American and British military pilots, as well as early biker subcultures. To further enhance this illusion, the jacket features a bright red ITS Artea ripstop liner.
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Variation 07 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket builds on the references established in Variation 03, highlighting the modern textile innovation within Italy’s sportswear sector. The ITS Artea shell features a striking raw linen base coated with a powder pink resin, adding a layer of resistance and durability. This “Plated Linen” shell is complemented by a unique, deteriorating nylon liner, developed in close collaboration with Lamintess. The liner embodies the active participation Otto Resource encourages from its wearers, as it is designed to transition from its current camouflage-like appearance to a deep burgundy over time.
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Variation 11 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket draws inspiration from traditional military aesthetics while embracing contemporary cultural trends. It features a 13.9oz Japanese denim from Salou, the same textile used in the Variation 03 vest liner, dyed in a distinctive, almost-acidic green. Otto Resource collaborated closely with its dyeing facility to achieve this unique color, setting it apart from conventional military hues. The jacket is complemented by a vest liner made from Japanese wool boa fleece, also by Salou, further showcasing Otto Resource’s focus on blending textures and functionalities.
OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 2:Introducing the Referential Testing Ground of Otto Resource

Otto Resource is a digital archive, research facility, and ecosystem committed to future-proof design. It analyzes fashion products from the past half-century, offering unparalleled technical insights, socio-cultural context, and practical lessons for designers and producers to apply across today’s fashion landscape.

At its core, Otto Resource seeks to raise the standard of accessible product knowledge, providing readers with tools to engage deeply with fashion and see beyond the surface. True to its name, Otto offers a “Resource” that inspires individuals to shape their physical creations while fostering their own assumptions, juxtapositions, discoveries, and experimental ideas.

Recognizing that the industry’s relentless rush towards profit often leaves little time for research and due diligence, the “Function Complex” exhibition format aimed to demonstrate how this issue can be alleviated through better access to information.

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Otto Resource reinterpreted the famous Little Trees air freshener as a means of illustrating its affinity for pop culture.

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“Washing Machine Weight” (2020) by photographer Phillip Koll was published by Otto Resource in 2022 as a means of illustrating its interest in uncovering insights from all forms of design.

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Otto Resource’s production competency is built on a powerful network of experts, manufacturers, designers, and facilities, Maximilian Semlinger, 2022

Papanek’s original “Function Complex” emerged when ecological issues, though significant, were largely overlooked. With changing public perceptions and increasing responsibility, Otto Resource aimed to develop a modern design system rooted in Papanek’s values. The newly named “Otto Complex” builds on the original eight-point diagram from Otto Resource, which includes Innovation, Association, Values, Method, Foundation, Use, Needs, and Aesthetics. This system was launched at the advent of Otto Resource to help users grasp a product’s values more clearly.

By adapting Papanek’s pioneering system to contemporary needs, the “Otto Complex” offers designers conceptual and strategic support for making informed, meaningful decisions. The modern system encourages reflection, strengthens consumer connections, maintains brand identity, and promotes sustainable product creation. Using the “Function Complex” exhibition as its first case study, the Otto Complex maps each variation of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket, providing a visual representation of key aspects for product evaluation.

“Innovation” doesn’t only represent something better or new, but something that shapes a better attitude towards design

(Sub)cultural “Association” often draw an intelligible connection between a product’s innovative promise and its “Values”

“Values” represent the consumer’s philosophical, sociological, and ecological beliefs, all while fostering a deeper connection to the product

A proprietary design “Method” can be formed by connecting a product’s “Values” with the elements that make it foundational

“Foundation” is the base from which “Values” and “Needs” are determined, and through which the extent of “Innovation” is understood

“Use” is defined by the “Needs” placed on a product and how these relate to its foundational promise as a piece of design

“Needs” are largely informed by the “Values” placed on a product by its end consumer, target market, socio-economic position, and brand

The “Aesthetics” of a product should be shaped by addressing its “Needs” and the degree to which it needs to be innovative

01 Innovation
Association 02
Method 04
06 Use
07 Needs
Values 03
08 Aesthetics
Foundation 05
01 Innovation
Association 02
Method 04
06 Use
07 Needs
Values 03
08 Aesthetics
Foundation 05
Variation 03 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket brings together two key elements from the Otto Resource universe: unconventional performance textiles and artisanal Japanese processes. Heavily inspired by the work of Massimo Osti, the jacket’s ITS Artea shell pays homage to Stone Island’s iconic “Mussola Prismatica” releases. To further reflect Osti’s approach to reimagining traditional textiles and techniques, Variation 03 features a 13.9oz Japanese indigo denim vest from Salou, overdyed with mud on the island of Amami.
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Variation 04 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket uses the same Limonta for its shell as Variation 01, now dyed in a striking purple hue. Otto Resource spent considerable time collaborating with its dyeing facility to create a color that feels vibrant and energetic, avoiding any dullness. The result perfectly complements the bright duck camouflage liner developed with Lamintess. Inspired by the work of Junya Watanabe and visvim’s Hiroki Nakamura, the Variation 04 liner celebrates the adaptation of functional clothing into the luxury market, while offering a fresh perspective on camouflage.
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Variation 10 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket showcases a distinctive Japanese washi cotton twill shell from Salou, garment-dyed using doro-zome—the same mud-dyeing technique used for the liner of Variation 03. Highlighting Otto Resource’s creative use of its international network, Variation 10 combines the elegance of modern sportswear with a traditional technique as ancient as mud dyeing. The shell is complemented by a semitransparent, almost waxy nylon liner from Limonta, which develops abrasions over time, mimicking the wear and tear typically seen in more organic textiles like the jacket’s shell.
OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 3:Detailing Grocery’s Foundational Outlook on Design
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Image from “Around the Tower”, Grocery’s Spring/Summer editorial as photographed by Betty Krag, 2024

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An application of Grocery’s new icon, part of an extensive rebrand by Astrae Studio in 2024

Grocery is an independent retail and concept space located on Elmegade in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. In a bid to capture the diversity and creativity of its surroundings, it is developing a distinct curatorial expression at the intersection of work, formal, and functional clothing. By offering its customers a platform to discover new local talent and international designers, Grocery aims to highlight design’s role beyond aesthetics and efficiency.

Grocery recently expanded its physical footprint to include an activation space on the same corner as its store. Conceived as a means of creating more meaningful connections with its customers, the new space encourages discovery and celebrates the multiplicity of (sub)culture. When describing Grocery’s view on design, creative director Nicolai Vig Clausen states, “It is important to always learn and be open to change, even if the information published contradicts your own beliefs or approach to work.”

To inaugurate its new activation space, Grocery worked in close collaboration with Otto Resource and

Archival Studies to shape a decisive physical presence. Built on the inclusive and transparent values at the heart of Grocery, the space’s design signals a new beginning for the concept as a whole. Revealed as part of the “Function Complex” exhibition, the space underscores Grocery’s focus on due diligence while serving as a roadmap for the design and products it intends to present moving forward.

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Grocery’s new identity is fortified by a series of textural illustrations by Valdemar Juul, 2024

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Campaign image by George (2024) showcasing the shell of Grocery’s OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket, which was made in close collaboration with Italian textile mill Limonta.

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Campaign image by George (2024) showcasing the liner of Grocery’s OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket, which was made in close collaboration with Italian textile mill Lamintess.

“It’s important to learn and be open to change, even if the information published contradicts your own beliefs or approach to work. [Afterall] design should contribute to more than just aesthetics and efficiency.”

Nicolai Vig Clausen, Grocery Creative Director, 2024

For “Function Complex”, the activation space was outfitted with a POS, two podium displays, and a full-length lighting system. The stainless steel POS in particular was designed to function like a moveable display cabinet for the brooches, T-shirt, spatial scent, and

stickers available at the exhibition, representing an adaptable contribution that will continue to be used after the exhibition has ended.

In addition to these components, Adam Barnard worked together with architect Ottavio Paponetti to design a

270° stainless steel hanging system inspired by the approach of artists such as Lilly Reich. Designed to allow visitors to actively “step in” and journey through the exhibition’s focal point, the hanging system ensures direct and efficient engagement with each variation of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket. This particular addition to the exhibition’s spatial identity was also aimed at symbolizing a relatively niche, yet accessible system.

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01 Innovation
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Variation 01 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket was developed in close collaboration with Grocery, an independent retail and concept space based in Copenhagen. The jacket’s repellent, highly durable Limonta shell combines the ruggedness of workwear with a distinct elegance and refinement. Enhanced by a mossy green micro-ripstop nylon from Lamintess, Variation 01 maintains a traditional appeal while signaling a possible new beginning for the future of technical clothing design.
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Variation 08 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket aims to showcase the elegance achievable with technical textiles. Historically, technical and luxury textiles have been seen as separate realms, but contemporary fashion increasingly blends the two. This jacket features a sleek, subdued gabardine shell by Limonta, complemented by a contrasting burgundy lining reminiscent of traditional suiting. The jacket transitions to a rough, linen-like lining from Olmetex, further accentuating the blend of technical and luxury styles.
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Variation 12 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket features a 13.9oz Japanese indigo denim shell from Salou, overdyed with mud from the island of Amami. This process transforms the textile’s traditional indigo hue into a deep, almost-black shade, which is then emphasized using an electric blue Limonta nylon for the lining. For this variation, Otto Resource and Grocery collaborated with Danish jewelry designer wette mille and contemporary artist Huey Ruckus (the alias of Alex Anyaegbunam) to create a unique series of 12 wearable brooches. Inspired by the concept of embellishment in fashion, Otto Resource saw a perfect synergy between the works of these two artists.
OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 4:Shaping Tradition’s Contemporary Footprint Through Accessible Design

In 2023, Otto Resource approached designer

Francesco Moggi (FM) with the idea to channel the information of its digital archive through a single, archetypal piece of clothing. Shortly afterwards, the duo set out to design a staple that embodied the aesthetic, functional, and diverse (sub)cultural interests of Otto Resource, while also creating a wearable “canvas” that could be endlessly adapted. The resulting OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket — comprised of a functional shell and a detachable, utilitarian liner — reaffirms the importance of research in design, as well as Otto Resource’s underlying mission.

When first discussing the project, FM noticed that his approach to research and general curiosity was shared (and facilitated) by Otto Resource, going on to say, “A mutual dedication to innovation drove us to explore new methodologies and embrace unconventional techniques.” The project was later discovered by Grocery’s creative director Nicolai Vig Clausen, who saw it as a means of communicating the store’s own values, interests, and references; it was here that the earliest concept for a wholly democratic exhibition format was put into action.

Inspired by the heyday of Italian sportswear, the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket nods towards the decontextualization of utilitarian design that was pioneered by the likes of Giorgio Armani and Massimo Osti throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Through the observation of inner-city demands, such designers discovered, explored, and stressed the aesthetic capabilities of functional materials and designs. And since (sub)cultures continued to rebel against elitist dress codes, prompting the (luxury) fashion market to turn towards new concepts, references, and audiences, the eventual success and future impact of their visions were a logical conclusion.

Considering the necessity of such initiatives, FM comments, “We must support the general public in understanding a product’s value by presenting designs that require close observation, tactile engagement, and practical trial.” He continues, “Despite having been conditioned to consume products quickly and superficially, it is essential to show the importance of research and development; there are fundamental steps that need to be followed before a product can be considered meaningful or even final.”

The OR-PL04.24 is a 2 layer Jacket consisting of an outer shell, with a removable hood, and a utilitarian liner, attached with Cobrax hardware. The outer shell has two concealed chest pockets and two side pockets hidden underneath two 3D darted hunting pockets on the front. Removable hood snaps inside a closeable funnel collar for total adaptability with the liner that is available as a vest or with sleeves, also snapping into the Jacket with exposed snaps on the outer shell. The liner has 2 slip pockets and a curved hemline designed to peek out under the outer shell when attached. Waist adjusters and an articulated back gusset allow for adaptation to the wearer. Each variation will highlight different projections of materials and treatment techniques, underlining how slight changes in texture, material, or colour composition can result in vastly different product expressions despite the baseline design remaining unchanged.

Through its cut, features and referential backdrop, the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket manages to be something that feels both classic and contemporary, deeply researched and unconstrained at the same time. Pointing out that the tension between foundation and innovation doesn’t pose a zero-sum-game but a complex interplay of product values that are concurrently demanded, the OR-PL04.24 is the material outcome of a fair, constructive, and honest critique of a foundational garment. And since the design grants myriad ways for adaptation – either based on functional or aesthetic demands – the product not only creates awareness on modification but also prompts a desire to eventually turn jackets into a natural expression of one's reality and character.

“It is essential to show the importance of research and development.”
— Francesco Moggi

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One of twelve unique liner textiles selected for “Function Complex”, Phillip Koll, 2023

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Inside the warehouse of one of Francesco Moggi’s trusted suppliers.

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The Francesco Moggi logo references a dated vent cover found by the designer in Italy.

OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 5:Diemme Partners With Otto Resource and Grocery for Exclusive Collection

Otto Resource and Grocery are proud to be launching an exclusive collaboration with Diemme as part of the “Function Complex” exhibition. Marking the fifth physical production for Otto Resource Purple Label, the capsule collection features three unique colorways of the brand’s Movida silhouette. Forming part of Diemme’s Recupero line, the collaboration seeks to advance the line’s mandate through an inspired reapplication of deadstock materials. As with the exhibition itself, the collaboration is a testament to the importance of research in contemporary design and illustrates a more dynamic (and aspirational) use for short-run sample productions. Utilizing the “Otto Complex” system to demonstrate the framework’s application, the three iterations explore unconventional texture and color compositions that result from setting up limitations in material access.

Diemme is an Italian footwear brand and factory founded in 1992 by brothers Dennis and Maico Signor near Asolo, Italy. Since 2010, the Oslo-based showroom Blender has co-developed the Diemme brand and company, filtering its competencies through an undeniably contemporary lens. “Our products rely on our production facility and the traditional bootmaking know-how that made the Montebelluna commune a dominating force in early ski and mountaineering footwear,” says brand director Mats Alver, continuing to emphasize that Diemme “always starts with a respect for the craft, understanding that this will bring a well-made and long-lasting product to fruition.”

When talking to Mats about the importance of initiatives like "Function Complex," he states, "In today's accelerated world of fashion, it is great to have initiatives that focus as much on process as they do on outcome,” echoing Otto’s belief that only through due process a qualitative outcome can be created. Mats goes on to say: “many brands and designers hide their process, research, and exploration, whereas projects like this celebrate transparency. This is something we appreciate, even if we don't have enough time to dive into such topics ourselves." Otto Resource, and subsequently Purple Label, functions as a service that can allow brands to engage with their products and audience in transparent and intelligent ways and develop contemporary products that communicate the brand’s values in a lasting and meaningful way.

“It is great to have initiatives that focus as much on process as they do on outcome.”
— Mats Alver, Diemme Brand Director, 2024

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An image showing the deadstock cuttings that went on to inform one of the collection’s three colorways.

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The “Dissonance/Consonance” sticker underlines the thinking that informed this unique collaboration.

OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 6:Huey Ruckus and wette mille Collide for Function Complex

As part of the “Function Complex” exhibition, Otto Resource and Grocery are thrilled to have brought together Danish jewelry designer wette mille and contemporary artist Huey Ruckus, an alias of Alex Anyaegbunam. wette mille — an anagram of the founder’s name, Mette Wille — was conceived in 2022 as a creative vent, a “form of expression and distraction from what was going on in [her] head at the time.” Admittedly unplanned and sporadic in her approach, Mette found familiarity in Alex’s paintings, which “focus on working super quick, but cautiously;” he remarks, “I love what people’s minds are capable of conjugating.” Well-aligned with the broader concept and thinking of “Function Complex”, both wette mille and Huey Ruckus revel in (and trust) the process of their respective crafts.

When talking to Mette about her process, she says, “I don’t focus on what the final product ‘should’ look like, but try enjoy the process,” continuing to highlight that despite this unplanned approach, “craftsmanship will always be my first priority.” Mette’s connection to Grocery was also a decisive factor for this project, noting that “The store was my first retailer, which still makes me blush with excitement. For me, Grocery is a concept that wants to evolve, and so when they asked me to be a part of this project, later introducing me to Otto Resource, it seemed like the perfect match for us all.”

01 Innovation
Association 02
Method 04
06 Use
07 Needs
Values 03
08 Aesthetics
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01 Innovation
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Variation 02 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket aims to redefine the traditional connotations of velvet. Known for its softness, luxurious appearance, and high production cost, velvet has historically been associated with nobility. To challenge these associations and align with the inclusive values of “Function Complex”, Otto Resource chose a baby blue velvet from Lanificio Bisentino for the jacket’s shell, pairing it with a white ripstop liner from ITS Artea.
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Variation 05 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket emphasizes textural impact and draws inspiration from the color field-style approach pioneered by artists like Mark Rothko. This variation combines a palette of similar tones, each conveying its own distinct message. The shell is made from heavyweight, resin-coated canvas by Lamintess, complemented by a tonal green brushed mohair hood crafted by knitwear designer Claudia Scarpa. The shell transitions into a deep brown, dry ripstop liner from Olmetex, featuring unique linen sack inserts along the top of the arm, inspired once again by early visvim designs.
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Variation 06 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket takes inspiration from the British working-class styles depicted in the 2004 sports drama ‘The Football Factory’, written by AJ Lovell and directed by Nick Love. The shell features a sport check reminiscent of Aquascutum, provided by Lanificio Luigi Zanieri, which transitions into a durable, bright orange CORDURA® from MajoTech, echoing the high-visibility clothing found on job sites. Variation 06 reinterprets what might be seen as “overdone” stylistic cues, creating a sense of familiarity for the observer, yet presenting them in a way that feels refreshingly different.

The OR-PL04.24 exhibition offered an ideal platform for them to collaborate through and create this physical expression of process and shared ideas and values. The sterling silver pins, embellished with gems, are directly inspired by Huey Ruckus’s paintings, a process in which wette mille channeled her view of his work through her craft.

Craftsmanship is a key element in every part of the exhibition. From the carefully supervised prototyping process of the jacket to Diemme’s long lasting tradition of craft and Mette’s dedication to it, none of the resulting products would fulfill their full potential without it. Mette's connection to Grocery was also a decisive factor for this project, noting that "Grocery was my first retailer, which still makes me blush with excitement.” For me, Grocery is a concept that wants to evolve, and so when they asked me to be a part of this project later introducing me to Otto Resource, it seemed like the perfect match” When discussing the collaboration's concept, Mette clarifies "Alex's paintings seem to be reaching for something past, present, and future," This deeply connects with Otto’s approach, continuously being mindful of the context of every project, what came before it, where it currently is and where it needs to go.

Jewelry was one of the very first ways humans expressed and embellished themselves, often a way to express oneself through symbolism, whether to signify belief, class or subculture. The pins reference subculture’s DIY instincts, functioning as transferable signifiers to embellish any garment. Purposefully designed to engage with a garment and not to be worn directly on the body, building a direct relationship between the wearer and garment through the pin, encouraging experimentation with different placements and ways of framing the broach, but also the garment it is placed on.

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“Ready Steady” by Huey Ruckus, 2023

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Mette channels her view of Alex’s paintings through a series of wearable pins.

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Editorial image by George showing the brooches applied to Variation 9 of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket.

OR–PL04.24
Function Complex Part 7:Conclusion

The “Function Complex” exhibition – perceived as a whole experience – is the most singular expression of the Otto Resource philosophy to date. By engaging with like-minded individuals, dedicated to thorough process and collaboration, the partnership of Otto Resource, Grocery, Diemme, Alex Anyaegbunam and Mette Wille portrays the power of openly sharing knowledge, resources and ideas. Symbolising the importance of value-based collaboration in the industry, the twelve variations of the OR-PL04.24 Research Series Jacket, alongside the pins and in-store installation, showcase the breadth of Otto Resource’s vision and capability in an open, intelligent and educational way. The open display of knowledge is seen as the best way to adapt to and assess the fast changing environmental and socio-economic factors that affect not just fashion, but every industry.

Having not only showcased a meaningful set of products and experiences, but also having encapsulated the conceptual bandwidth and benefit of the “Otto Complex” system, the exhibition  has demonstrated the agency’s most fundamental ideals on a variety of ideas, products and experiences. Harnessing genuine ideas and ideals through a system to lead to thoughtful, appropriate, and aspirational outcomes, we believe in sharing our process and values, to encourage a more collaborative and open environment in the future.

OR-PL04.24 proves the scope of operation that Otto Resource has, going beyond white papers to offer an organised and fruitful approach to building consumer connection. In the end, everything comes back to love for culture and expression. Otto strives to create, and serve, contemporary culture in all its facets; from reminiscing subcultural stories and expressions to crafts honed over centuries, it’s by being able to observe and assess the broader landscape of culture through time that one can start making meaningful additions, helping to expand the great cultural foundation from which we are all operating.

Moving forward not through acceleration, but through meaning.