So, in 2007 a young @evanlessler emailed me about Alphanumeric, design, the garment industry on a whole and his fledgling brand (at the time) @adapt . You meet few people in life who "get it".
People who saw that it was about more than just clothing.
For folks who have been fans of the brand, Evan is the one who has been the steward of the @alphanumeric1998 page / archive and you have him to thank.
All that being said:
Alphanumeric x Adapt :: “BACK TO SCHOOL” 📓 ✏️
Class begins 7.18.25 :: 11AM PST :: adaptclothing.com
PEACE
Alyasha
Alphanumeric Tech Vest - Black/Navy | Really nice OG fleece and nylon technical vest from around 1999. I believe this piece was part of a system and could be zipped into a snowboard jacket. Features include fleece lining and rear fleece panel, multiple pockets, drawstring waist and rubber patch branding throughout. Great example of many of the classic Alpha elements and a personal favorite.
Alphanumeric Men’s ‘Information/Output’ Red Tee | Nice text-based graphic from an early season. Front reads ‘information’, back reads ‘output’, with the ‘in’ and ‘out’ text emphasized via the contrasting grey colors. Simple and effective messaging was a throughline for the brand and one of Alpha’s strongest suits imho.
Alphanumeric Men’s ‘Per Diem’ Tee - Heather | Part of the 2008 brand relaunch, this tee was an update to the original ‘DEK’ graphic. Featuring an enlarged A# logo and a more prominent overall print, this was a bolder take on one of the classic earlier styles.
Alphanumeric Grid Windbreaker - Forest/Orange | OG windbreaker from the first couple years of Alpha. There were a few different variants on both the colors and the actual detailings of these lightweight ripstop windbreakers — this one in the somewhat unusual forest and orange colorway. Lots of details including underarm and pocket ventilation grommets, 3M reflective piping and detailing, and cycling jersey-inspired lower rear pockets. This particular example also offers a stow-away rear pocket for the jacket to pack away into, but not all variants offered this option.
“Empire Skate” - ESPN 30 for 30 — New York City | This documentary was released in July via ESPN, and chronicles the rise of New York skateboarding, the roots of early streetwear, and the formation of the brand and flagship store Supreme and its impact on fashion and youth culture. Some prominent figures are interviewed throughout, including @stackaly who shares some insights into his experiences living in New York during that time, and early Alpha team rider @_jaime_reyes . A couple easter eggs include Jaime in one of the B16 engine variant tees, as well as the closing clip of the doc featuring a RAE hoody.
Alphanumeric Retail Store — Tokyo, 2001 | Prior to a post by @antihype.tv I was unaware that a permanent Alphanumeric retail store had ever existed. These shots were taken at the A# Tokyo store in 2001, and is a glimpse into what a retail location would look like. A school-themed interior includes a chalkboard, cubbies, and student lockers. Note the @erichazenyc Alpha chalkboard tag on Slide 3. Would have loved to see the continuation of this concept had it branched out into additional locations.
If anyone has additional images of this store I’d love to see them.
Thanks to @antihype.tv for the pics/info + @stackaly for additional info
:SPEAKING WITH : EVAN LESSLER : ALPHANUMERIC + ADAPT
Social media has made it easier to revisit archival stories and products. That’s what led us to @alphanumeric1998 archive page. Discovering this page felt like walking down memory lane, back to 2000 all over again. To top it off, Alphamnumeric 1998, along with @stackaly , founder of Alphanumeric, announced a special collaboration drop with @adapt from San Francisco. Founded by @evanlessler , who also manages the Alphanumeric 1998 archive page. That’s how we connected and started talking.
Click the link on bio for the full interview 🔗 ⬆️
Photo courtesy of Adapt & Alphanumeric.
#suavecartelmedia #alphanumeric #alphanumeric1998 #scmspeakingwith
Alphanumeric Men’s ‘Lil Wayne’ Chocolate Tee | OG understated logo tee, and one of a number of products paying homage to the Cash Money crew. Red and white A# logo, with white ‘Alphanumeric’ graphics at the back of each sleeve.
10 years ago today the @alphanumeric1998 page was born, a mechanism for archiving as well as showcasing original Alphanumeric products, many of which had been all but lost to time. It wasn’t on my bingo card that we might be contributing to the archive itself one day. Thanks for both following along and participating through tags, DMs, images and recollections — I’m still regularly seeing things for the first time which never ceases to amaze me. Here’s to the next 10 and the gems yet to come.
Alphanumeric Men’s ‘Resensitize’ Tee - Yellow | I believe this tee is from 2001. It features a youth pointing a revolver at the viewer with the Alpha mantra ‘Please Educate All Children Equally’ below it. The posterized-style visual is a poignant graphic and message — if the image is referenced from a TV show or movie please fill me in.
