Season: Fall/Winter 2021
Buy: Pre-orders can be made via proxy through BEAMS' website and stores from early November; the Zeta SL is ¥50,600 (approximately $460), the Atom AR is ¥42,900 (approximately $390), the Mantis 2 is ¥6,050 (approximately $55), and the Mantis 1 weighs in at ¥5,500 ($50).
Editor's Notes: Arc'teryx is always relevant, but never more so than when the temps dip. It ain't quite jacket season yet, but the Canadian company and Japanese retail giant BEAMS — which never fails to deliver quality collaborations — are getting a jump on their latest seasonal joint effort.
This follows a few fairly recent Arc'teryx partnerships, which are still a bit of a rarity for the brand. It launched a Palace collaboration last year and still has a Jil Sander+ line ready to go in the coming months, though news about that launch is pretty scarce. However, the BEAMS partnership is important because it represents one of Arc'teryx's oldest retailer relationships, and the mutual respect is palpable.
I mean, no one else gets as many exclusives as BEAMS. Not only did BEAMS receive some bespoke goods for this year's 45th anniversary festivities, but the duo even launched some layering pieces laden with BEAMS' signature orange hue last year.
For FW21, BEAMS has propositioned another muted selection from Arc'teryx, straying from previous "crazy" editions (read: multi-color) for something more understated. The lineup comprises a Zeta SL jacket, Atom AR hoody, and the Mantis 1 and 2 bags, all realized in shades of black with single-toned accents.
Only the Mantis 1 and Mantis Backpack incorporate bright purple — they're a collab with the BEAMS BOY women's line — while the other items showcase gold atop their zipper pulls, pockets, and logos. Further, the two layering pieces also sport an oversized Archaeopteryx logo on the right shoulder, a design cue that returns from the duo's aforementioned FW20 collection and really highlights that flashy hue.
Like every other new Arc'teryx piece purchased in Japan, the goods are all covered by Arc'teryx Japan's Bird Aid program, which is, functionally, a complementary warranty.