In a rapidly evolving fashion landscape, few brands have managed to capture the complexity of modern culture quite like WhoDecidesWar. Founded by visionary designer Ev Bravado (now known as Bartholomew), the label has quickly emerged as a leading voice in the intersection of streetwear and high fashion. Known for its intricate denim work, bold use of religious and philosophical imagery, and a deep narrative approach to design, WhoDecidesWar is not just a clothing brand—it’s a conversation about conflict, society, and identity.
The Brand’s Name: A Question of Power
From the outset, the name WhoDecidesWar sets the tone for what the brand represents. It’s a direct question that challenges the status quo and invites reflection on who holds the power to shape our world. Bartholomew has explained that the name is not just about literal wars, but also the internal and societal conflicts we all face daily. These themes of struggle and power dynamics are woven into the fabric—literally and metaphorically—of every piece the brand creates.
WhoDecidesWar aims to provoke thought, spark conversation, and challenge the wearer to engage with bigger questions about authority, justice, and personal battles. This philosophical foundation gives the brand a unique place in the fashion industry, where clothes are often viewed as mere objects of consumption.
Streetwear Meets High Fashion
One of the most remarkable aspects of WhoDecidesWar is its ability to merge the worlds of streetwear and high fashion seamlessly. Streetwear, which typically focuses on comfort, accessibility, and urban culture, has been redefined by the label’s meticulous craftsmanship and couture-like attention to detail.
At the heart of WhoDecidesWar’s design philosophy is denim, a material often associated with casual wear. But under Bartholomew’s guidance, denim has been transformed into a canvas for artistic and spiritual expression. The brand’s signature pieces, particularly its jeans, feature intricate distressing, hand-sewn patches, and bold embroidery. These are not your average jeans—they are wearable art, imbued with meaning and narrative.
Religious iconography and abstract art are frequently incorporated into the brand’s designs, creating garments that evoke deep emotional and intellectual responses. Phrases like “Heaven or Hell,” “Angels and Demons,” and “Choose Your Path” often adorn the clothing, turning everyday items like jeans and jackets into profound statements. These pieces push boundaries, challenging the wearer to think about more than just fashion, but about the struggles between light and darkness, good and evil, power and submission.
Sustainability and Craftsmanship
In an era where fast fashion has saturated the market with disposable clothing, WhoDecidesWar stands out for its commitment to sustainability and quality craftsmanship. Each piece is carefully designed and produced with the intention of lasting for years, not just seasons. The intricate details and hand-finished elements on each garment mean that no two pieces are exactly the same, further emphasizing the brand’s dedication to individuality and timelessness.
WhoDecidesWar operates on a small-batch production model, which helps reduce waste and overproduction, two major problems in the fashion industry. By creating limited quantities, the brand ensures that each item is special and that customers are getting something truly unique. This approach also aligns with the brand’s larger ethos: creating clothing that holds meaning, rather than feeding into the cycle of fast, disposable fashion.
The brand’s focus on sustainability extends to its choice of materials and methods of production. By sourcing high-quality fabrics and employing artisans who specialize in handwork, WhoDecidesWar is able to craft garments that are both ethically made and built to last.
Storytelling Through Fashion
One of the key pillars of WhoDecidesWar’s success is its storytelling approach. Each collection serves as a narrative, weaving together themes of spirituality, personal conflict, and societal issues. For Bartholomew, fashion is a medium through which larger conversations about humanity can be explored. The clothes are not just designed to look good; they are meant to provoke thought, to inspire dialogue, and to push the boundaries of what fashion can represent.
Take the brand’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection, for example. The collection was presented at New York Fashion Week, not just as a showcase of clothing, but as a theatrical performance with a deeper message. Models walked the runway in pieces that reflected themes of salvation, spiritual warfare, and inner conflict. The designs were heavily influenced by religious symbolism, with angelic imagery, biblical references, and motifs representing the battle between light and darkness.
This approach to fashion as storytelling is what makes WhoDecidesWar so distinct. Each garment is part of a larger narrative, asking the wearer to engage with the brand on a deeper level than just aesthetics.
Collaborations and Influence
WhoDecidesWar’s impact on the fashion industry has not gone unnoticed. The brand has collaborated with other notable designers and brands, including the late Virgil Abloh and Off-White. These partnerships have not only elevated WhoDecidesWar’s profile but have also allowed the brand to reach a broader audience, further cementing its position as a leader in contemporary fashion.
In addition to its high-profile collaborations, WhoDecidesWar has become a favorite among celebrities, musicians, and influencers. Artists like Kanye West and Travis Scott have been spotted wearing the brand, helping to amplify its cultural relevance. But despite its growing popularity, WhoDecidesWar has remained true to its roots, continuing to push boundaries and challenge the conventions of both streetwear and high fashion.
The Future of WhoDecidesWar
As WhoDecidesWar continues to evolve, its future looks incredibly promising. Bartholomew’s commitment to storytelling, craftsmanship, and meaningful design ensures that the brand will remain a significant force in the fashion industry. Unlike many brands that chase trends, WhoDecidesWar stays true to its mission of using fashion as a vehicle for deeper exploration and reflection.
Looking ahead, the brand will likely continue to expand its influence, with more collaborations, larger collections, and an ever-growing fanbase. But at its core, WhoDecidesWar will remain what it has always been: a brand that uses clothing to ask important questions about life, society, and the human experience.
In a world where fashion is often seen as fleeting, WhoDecidesWar stands as a beacon of purpose, offering clothing that is not only visually stunning but also rich in meaning.
