ACF Shirt with detachable collars (The COAL project). Made in Sweden.


A concept balancing a shirtmaker’s craft with modern functionality by means of modularity. Four separate classic collar-types attach or detach allowing a single shirt to rotate seamlessly and meet the challenges of any sartorial challenge.

- Designed / Developed by Art Comes First / Sebastian Dollinger of Eton Shirts.

- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.

- Words by Liam Maher.



ACF by Lotho Eye-wear (The COAL project). Made in Japan/France.


The heritage of early round-lens spectacle reading glasses transformed by the guitar-pick shape influence of military aviator frames to produce a hybridization of intellect and action worthy of Thelonius Monk.

- Designed / Created by Art Comes First / Aroun Ducroix of Lotho Eyewear.
- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.
- Words by Liam Maher.



ACF detachable shirts and Ties (The COAL project). Made in Sweden.


A concept balancing a shirtmaker’s craft with modern functionality by means of modularity. Four separate classic collar-types attach or detach allowing a single shirt to rotate seamlessly and meet the challenges of a sartorial challenge.

The shirt also comes with a tie loop in the middle to accommodate the function of a tie clip.

- Designed and developed by Art Comes First & Sebastian Dollinger of Eton Shirts.
- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.
- Words by Liam Maher



ACF by Superduper Hats (The COAL project). Made in Italy.


One universal hat-form given distinct stylistic and sub-cultural nuance by virtue of the shifting size and shape of its brim across four variations.

- Designed and developed by Art Comes First / Matteo Gioli of Superduper Hats.
- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.
- Words by Liam Maher.

ACF by T-Michael (The COAL project). Made in Norway/Portugal.

This arsenal of creative tools needs a bespoke carrying case. A compartment for every concept but space to add more; strips of texture, cuttings of color, totems of tonality, talismans of inspiration all picked up along the way.

To be inspired, to stay inspired, to inspire yourself, to inspire others..

- Designed by Art Comes First & T-Micheal
- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.
- Words by Liam Maher.

ACF socks (The COAL project). Made in Italy. As important as the shoes are - and they are - tradition and logic both dictate that you put your socks on first. Knit fine in pure silk or natural cotton and detailed with rule-mark-stripes discreetly confirming where your trouser hems should end. A man/woman knows the right break point between pant and shoe.

- Design by Art Comes First
- Picture by Bent René Synnevåg.
- Words by Liam Maher.

ACF Presents The Coal Project

ACF presents

THE COAL

at Pitti Uomo

Someone once said that great minds think alike, and this is all too evident in the

debut project from ACF, combining talented artists, craftsmen and creatives with the

same vision to create an installation exclusively at the iconic Pitti Uomo in Florence.

Combining the elements of artisanal creative skills with classic tools to create unique

products, the coal project is all about showcasing your creativity through the use of

utilitarian techniques. It is about the ultimate balance of creative thinking and

traditional techniques of manufacture, not mass market commercial products. The

entire project was designed around a raw mineral theme and to reflect this all of the

items involved are in a stark black colour in a variation of materials.

The Coal project is the work of 7 innovators that have come together to create ‘Pack

Essential’ the ultimate basics for any creative that finds themselves living out of a

suitcase across different parts of the world for their work. The main element of this

project was to choose essential items that are needed for the sartorial traveler that

don’t weigh a huge amount and can come in handy no matter what scenario you find

yourself in.

The Pack consists of a Handmade Leather Bag, The Ultimate Black Shirt, An Italian

Handmade Hat, Hand Crafted Glasses from Japan, Fine Cotton Socks, Leather Soled

English Made Shoes and a curated photographic poetry book. All the items come

together to fit into the leather bag for anyone to pick up and go.

Having began conceptual ideas at Pitti Uomo in June and 6 months of development,

ACF, whose values are ‘Sartour, Alchemy & Progression’ will present their project in

January within the Alternative Exhibition area over the 4 day period. On location at

the exhibition are ACF founders and business partners Sam Lambert and Shaka

Maidoh who have worked to curate the installation with artisans from across the

world.

The collaboration partners include Super Duper Hats, Lotho Eyewear, Eton Shirts,

T-Michael and Kalaf Angelo who’s work will be displayed at the installation.

---------------------------

Notes to Editors

For further information, Imagery or interview requests please contact ACF by e-mail in the first

instance at info@artcomesfirst.com 

Visit ACF online at www.artcomesfirst.com or follow on tumblr at www.artcomesfirst.tumblr.com