RANDOLPH PARTNERS WITH THE BROOKLYN CIRCUS ON A CAPSULE THAT HONORS AMERICA’S HISTORICAL HAITIAN PILOTS
In observance of Veterans Day, Randolph, maker of handcrafted American eyewear has partnered with Ouigi Theodore, the founder and Haitian-born creative director of The Brooklyn Circus. The Randolph for The Brooklyn Circus Capsule Collection shares the history of American Haitian-born pilots who served in the United States military in 1942. Together, the duo are honoring the unity, courage, and resilience that these aviators displayed in playing a pivotal role in World War II while enduring racial discrimination.
The Collection includes the new Randolph P-51 frame, a limited-edition silk scarf, and an authentic The Brooklyn Circus Varsity Jacket, which will be available November 9th at randolphusa.com, thebkcircus.com, and The Brooklyn Circus’s retail locations at 361 Canal St. in New York, N.Y., and 150 Nevins St. in Brooklyn, N.Y.
RANDOLPH P-51
Randolph tapped into its archives to revisit the Randolph Invader, an acetate frame that, with collaboration from The Brooklyn Circus, was reengineered as the Randolph P-51. The new silhouette is named for the U.S. Army Air Corp plane that the Haitian Tuskegee Airmen piloted, and incorporates design elements that honor their service. The five-barrel hinge MiUSA acetate frame is available in Translucent Smoke and features a custom, hand-drawn sky and cloud motif etched on the core wire; and Military Olive, a color with both The Brooklyn Circus and Randolph roots, that pays homage to the U.S. Military. Additional details include a Gunmetal post shape inspired by the U.S. Army Air Corp emblem and Randolph wingtip logo. The P-51 is available with a co-branded cleaning cloth and cognac case with the design specifications for the style, and The Brooklyn Circus burnt red collectors box. (MSRP: $329-$339.)
RANDOLPH P-51 Sun Clip Lens
Inspired by the World War II era, the Randolph P-51 Sun Clip is designed to blend the signature look of the Aviator II sweat bar with the fighter pilot goggles of the Haitian Tuskegee Airmen. The unique eyewear design symbolizes a spinning propeller and is handcrafted in Gunmetal as an accessory for the P-51 pastel lens. (MSRP: $89.)
RANDOLPH for The Brooklyn Circus Varsity Jacket
The Brooklyn Circus staple varsity jacket comes in a chocolate brown wool body equipped with a nylon Lining, front button closures, melton wool sleeve with cuff protector, and leather pocket trims. (MSRP: $550.)
RANDOLPH for The Brooklyn Circus Silk Scarf
The cream silk scarf features a unique collaboration logo that incorporates elements from The Brooklyn Circus, Randolph, and the history of the Haitian Tuskegee Airmen. Details include both brands’ logos, as well as the propeller from the P-51 plane and a star for each of the five Haitian pilots. (MSRP: $29)
“We were honored to work with The Brooklyn Circus to tell a culturally relevant story through our timeless pieces that shine a light on little-known aspects of American history,” said Peter Waszkiewicz, Randolph President & CEO. “Ouigi brought the true spirit of partnership to the project, collaborating closely with our team on design, storytelling, creative direction, and a deep appreciation for history, all shared values with both of our brands.”
Celebrated creative, Ouigi Theodore has cultivated a unique style that has garnered recognition globally. Theodore is globally revolutionizing the way we think about menswear, diving deeper into history with his designs and creating pieces with an unparalleled perspective as a first-generation Haitian-American. Classic garments, such as the varsity jacket, are at the heart of Theodore’s The Brooklyn Circus collections and are carefully curated to reflect a moment in time and inform the future by incorporating elements of the past.
“We continue our 100-year plan and journey of telling stories that need to be amplified. RANDOLPH was the perfect partner for us to share an even deeper story of 5 Haitian Tuskegee airmen,” said Theodore.
The Randolph for The Brooklyn Circus Capsule Collection explores the story of six Haitian pilots who were asked to join the United States military during World War II, five of whom saw battle, then left their homes to train in the segregated American South. Their military education was navigated within the regiments of the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama, a segregated military unit that consisted of black American pilots, nurses, cooks, mechanics, and aviators, all of whom served under a system built on a racist ideology. The Brooklyn Circus and Randolph designers worked closely to create a fresh take on an archival piece that shines a light on the journey of the five Haitian pilots and those who served a country that persecuted and discriminated against them.
