“MORE ARMOR!”. AUTONOMY AND PROTECTION: THE FUTURE OF HEIGHTENED SENSE
A brand that has been covered extensively on Sabukaru through its fledgeling years, Heightened Sense is a Los Angeles based label taking personal expression to the next level.
Now taking on a new form, the latest collection “More Armor!” serves as an evolutionary step forward and a major development from merely an anarchistic aesthetic to neatly incorporated functionality through the Hard Shell Program.
Sabukaru once again caught up with Solid to ponder this new collection, the Hard Shell Program, and how Heightened Sense can grow into the future.
“More Armor!” is a strong, cohesive collection with a great sense of identity and self-awareness. The common graphic across the collection is an adaptation of the AUG assault rifle, and you massively develop your ideas of armor as clothing that we saw hints at in “Shellburn” and prior to that, “South of Heaven”; where did the incorporation of these militaristic, even anarchistic connotations stem from?
I strongly believe in autonomy and protecting that at all costs - with that at times comes militaristic and anarchistic behaviour translated into the design. The new logo was meant to embody a creative direction pursuing that belief.
What is the Hard Shell Program? Appearing on three pieces right now, how can we develop this program further?
Hard Shell Program is a special category to explore defensive/protective characteristics in garments.
Hard Shell Program got its name and inspiration from the horseshoe crab and it's hard protective shell. The idea is to have a protective shell (armor) readily available that could be used as defense from outside forces whenever needed.
We created a cartoon logo to represent the horseshoe crabs influence on this project.
Artwork by Sabukaru Member Johnny Terror
The Tanker® was the first concept for More Armor! , being heavy and adaptable resembling a tank – it features its own detachable Armored (double-strap) Bag that can be used or worn at any time. The sleeves that hang off the back when in vest form are meant to resemble a mech with its weapons drawn back and or wings.
The hardShell (double-pant) uses a heavy shell fabric as the skeletal frame for the inner pant that forms an articulated fit and heavy structured look to the outer pant. Both pants are connected via studs for better mobility in a heavy pant instead of connection at seams.
The Armored Bag is also available separately from the Tanker®.
The 2nd part of this project will continue to explore even more facets of "armor" design
With a common slogan of “Heightened Sense openly supports counter operative movements + guerrilla tactics aimed at corrupt systems”, do you think that HS can become an official outfit for the future we are moving into?
Yes - under waving black flags
In our previous pieces covering you and HS we spoke on the Japanese influences you had, and how it flows through HS’s veins. What has your experience been like with the Japanese market as if this far, and do you have any plans for Tokyo? We’ve seen you collaborate with Bodega to host your own installation, if there any possibility of a residency in a Japanese store, post COVID-19?
I am in the process of bringing Heightened Sense® to physical stores in Japan starting off with the “More Armor!” collection. I want to continue growing this relationship so that I can host special installations for Japan in the near future.
On the topic of Japanese culture and your pool of inspiration, is there an anime or video game character you’d particularly want to wear “More Armor”?
Tidus / Final Fantasy X
Thank you very much for your time!
About the author:
Samuel Le Roy is a 21-year-old chemistry graduate based east of London. At any moment he’s tapped into multiple subcultures with a particular interest in streetwear and fashion, Sam aims to travel to Tokyo to immerse himself in Japanese culture once completing his studies, and continue writing pieces like this.
