BL8K Spotlight: Conner Ives’ American Dream
Much more than just another sustainable designer, Connor Ives is a one-of-a-kind type of talent. His ability to create jaw-dropping couture pieces has kept editors talking since his days at London’s Central Saint Martins. Fueled by a hunger for individualism in a world where blending in equals survival, he set out to explore American archetypes—the kind of fashion that was unfolding right in his own backyard. For a Bedford, New York native, the influences were nothing short of legendary—think the great American designers who shaped the industry.
His graduate collection, "The American Dream," was a bold exploration of American lifestyle and archetypes—going far beyond stars, stripes, and Daisy Dukes. Inspired by the girls he went to school with, it set the stage for his brand’s DNA: muses who become larger than life. After American schoolgirls, his inspirations evolved to include the 1999 film Magnolia, Nan Kempner, and Lisa Bonet—a clear appreciation for the iconoclastic women who shaped popular culture. With an innate understanding of fashion’s evolving narrative, it’s no surprise that Ives is an expert in everything from early-2000s nostalgia to today’s real-life It-girls.
‘We are trying to change so much. I tried to blow apart our idea of what sustainability is because there is no textbook definition. Every aspect of what I do, and every aspect of my job, is in some way confronting the question.’
(Wallpaper. McCalister-Smith)
And speaking of it-girls, for his usual once a year presentation, Ives tapped into his own youth to connect with the new generations—something the fashion industry constantly tries (and fails) to master. But for the 29-year-old, it’s as natural as breathing. Need proof? For SS24, he enlisted none other than TikTok sensation and Model of the Year Alex Consani as the face of the brand. A self-proclaimed Bay Area girl with a runway résumé spanning Versace, Tom Ford, Moschino, and Chanel, welcoming her millions of doting fans into the Connor Ives universe.
Beyond his understanding of how fashion essentially translates into a capitalist-coded cultural medium, the LVMH Prize finalist is the ultimate blueprint of a contemporary designer—one for whom sustainability actually means something. From sourcing thousands of discarded T-shirts to upcycling them into high-fashion masterpieces, Ives doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he embodies it. Dressing Adwoa Aboah for the 2017 Met Gala? Sketching for Rihanna’s Fenty clothing label before even graduating? If that’s not American Dream–coded, what is?
One thing is for sure: Conner Ives' work transcends mere aesthetics. His designs spark meaningful conversations, reaffirming fashion’s true purpose—not just as a consumerist action but as a medium of cultural dialogue. In times when mass-produced trends take over, Ives proves that the new generation of designers is more than capable of carrying the weight of fashion as a powerful means of communication—one that refuses to be nothing short of powerful.
