Ballantine’s, the world’s second largest Scotch whisky, presents the next phase in its partnership with Wu-Tang Clan frontman, RZA, dropping a limited edition capsule collection with streetwear brand, NEIGHBORHOOD.
The ongoing collaboration between Ballantine’s and RZA sees the pair celebrating self-expression through a series of drops that define what it means to ‘stay true’ to yourself. The first drop in the partnership brought together their shared love of music through a collaboration with Crosley Radio, and the latest drop with NEIGHBORHOOD puts fashion at the heart of self-expression.
The collaboration coincides with 50 years of hip hop, a cultural movement that has long shaped streetwear and fashion culture. Multi-hyphenate RZA, the de facto leader of one of hip hop’s defining groups, Wu-Tang Clan, has worked with Ballantine’s and the iconic Japanese streetwear brand NEIGHBORHOOD, to design the bespoke fashion and accessories collection, which is available from October 26th globally on HighSnobiety Shop and END. clothing.
The hero piece is a classic black ‘zip work jacket’, emblazoned with the mantras, ‘Stay True’ and ‘Craft With Pride’, above the outline of a Ballantine’s Chevron. In true NEIGHBORHOOD style, the jacket is crafted using TC twill for a boxy fit; and embroidered onto the left cuff of the jacket is RZA’s distinctive three-letter signature.
Within the collection are two stylish matching black twill accessories, adorned with the collaborative logos and RZA’s signature – a baseball cap and an eco-friendly tote bag. And for whisky fans, the collection also includes a bespoke Tsukamoto ceramic whisky decanter with an intricately designed skull motif and a Tsukamoto black clay drinks tumbler with an inner blue glaze.
“Fashion is one of the greatest ways to show self-expression; we use clothes to express everything, from our style to other interests such as sports and music, and even our communities and neighbourhoods. The whole collection came out great, but having Ballantine’s ‘Stay True’ motto on the jacket is my favourite detail – it encapsulates our shared belief of doing things your own way.”
RZA
Mathieu Deslandes, Ballantine’s Global Marketing Director at Chivas Brothers adds: “Ballantine’s and RZA have a shared DNA – one of legacy, history, excellence, and good taste – and a belief in staying true to who you are. This next step in our collaboration with the hip hop legend and NEIGHBORHOOD encourages people to express themselves in their own unique way, which is what Ballantine’s Stay True ethos is all about. RZA is known for subverting expectations which reflects the spirit of our founder George Ballantine, who was breaking conventional codes of whisky since the 1820s. We can’t wait for this capsule collection to drop to fans around the world.“
Haruchika Mitsui at NEIGHBORHOOD said: “RZA has a unique style; while it has evolved over time, it remains unmistakably true to his essence – timeless and multi-faceted. Likewise, the items in this collection are physical expressions of different art forms – namely fashion and pottery – through multiple cultures: a Japanese streetwear brand partnered with New York hip-hop culture and the legacy of an iconic Scotch whisky.”
To get your hands on the limited-edition collaboration and to be the first to hear about exclusive content and future drops, visit Ballantines.com/RZA or follow @Ballantines on Instagram.
