Eli Russell Linnetz Launches a “Made in California” Collection of Souped-up American Classics

The Made in California collection will be in harmony with its ERL main line, which is produced at Dover Street Market in Comme des Garçons factories around the world, and will be launched exclusively in a new ERL e-shop. The pieces are more luxurious (and obviously more expensive) versions of the items ERL is known for, there are cheeky checked boxers, sun-bleached T-shirts, perfectly worn flannels and dyed sweatpants that Russell models during our conversation. “I usually never wear my clothes,†he says, laughing, “but I think this new stuff I’m making is actually the epitome of California style. I feel like this is what I’ve always been looking for.â€

“It literally took two years to get the exact washes to capture something that felt lived-in, sun-faded and worn, with just that perfect color balance,” he continues, noting that he tried to think of new ways to use paints to to get the right look. “The T-shirts literally consist of 40 steps. It looks like a basic red, but it took 40 steps to make. Even in its simplicity it feels incredibly different, the fabrics.†And just wait until you hear about the socks.

“The socks are my favorite thing,” he says. “They’re almost the most expensive thing on this site, but they’re so comfortable.”

“How did you make expensive socks?”

“It’s this yarn from Japan, and when you hold it you think, ‘Okay, this makes sense,’” he laughs.