Gallery Dept. has carved out its own lane in the ever-changing world of streetwear, where trends come and go like Instagram stories. As a clothing label that combines fine art, vintage flair, and punk DIY sensibilities, Gallery Dept. is a movement. It’s a canvas for your creativity. There is a revolt against mass-produced clothing.
Gallery Department: What Is It?
Clothing brand Gallery Dept. was founded by designer and artist Josué Thomas in Los Angeles. Thomas founded the brand as a hybrid of art and fashion based on his background in visual arts. The pieces are hand-painted, distressed, dyed, or reworked to reflect the owner’s unique vision. How would you describe the brand’s motto? I call this art “art that kills.”.
Fashion’s obsession with perfection and seasonal turnover is challenged by Gallery Dept. with limited, often upcycled clothing that feels personal, raw, and authentic. In Gallery Dept., each item is treated as a wearable art piece, making it feel more like a collectible than just clothes.
Art and streetwear meet in Gallery Dept.
In a small studio in Los Angeles, Josué Thomas reworked vintage clothing using paint splatters, patches, and deconstruction. As musicians, stylists, and other creatives wore his custom pieces, his art project quickly gained traction.
Several celebrities wore Gallery Dept. jackets, jeans, and flannels, including Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and LeBron James. From cult favorite to global sensation, the brand gained support from the biggest names in culture.
Despite mainstream attention, Gallery Dept. has remained raw, experimental, and anti-corporate at its core. Thomas’ studio is evident in every collection: loud, layered, and full of stories.
Gallery Dept.’s Specialty is so unique?
Among the countless fast fashion brands and lookalikes, Gallery Dept. stands out for these reasons:
First, Recycled Aesthetics
It is Gallery Dept. that pioneered the upcycling of streetwear. Vintage Levi’s, old band tees, or military surplus are transformed into modern art by the artists. There are imperfections on purpose. An object that is distressed tells a story. This is what makes each piece unique.
Two. A signature paint-splatter design
A signature feature of the brand is the hand-applied paint splatters. Messy. There’s chaos everywhere. A walking abstract expressionism piece, each item becomes a walking abstract expressionist piece.
There Will Be A Limited Supply
When mass production is the norm, Gallery Dept. prefers scarcity. Small batches or one-off pieces are the norm. Due to its rarity, the brand has an elevated status among collectors and resale shops.
This year’s fashion and art show
Unlike streetwear, this isn’t just for the streets. The clothing is artwear. Combined with gritty fashion design, Josué’s approach combines gallery-worthy concepts. Whether it’s flared jeans or cropped jackets, every design is layered with intention, aesthetic, and edge.
An absolute must-have for the gallery department. Various pieces
Starting with these iconic staples will get you started in Gallery Dept. :
· Dept. of Gallery. The “Art That Kills” logo appears on the iconic hoodie, which is usually oversized.
· A pair of distressed denim jeans expressionism in the style of Pollock. The history of each pair is unique.
· The reconstructed flannels feature mismatched panels, vintage fabrics, and visible stitching.
· Dept. of Gallery. Our hand-printed T-shirts feature a washed out look and raw hems. An instant hit in streetwear.
· Style and creativity alike love Art Studio Pants’ lived-in, paint-streaked look.
Item after item screams individuality. A creative philosophy is included in the clothing you purchase.
What is the best way to style the gallery department?
In Gallery Dept., chaos seems effortless. The following are some tips for rocking it:
· Mix high-low fashion by wearing Gallery Dept. hoodies with luxury sneakers and designer accessories.
· Style: Layer a flannel over a distressed tee and flared jeans. A grunge gallery meets grunge.
· The clothing speaks for itself: Minimal meets maximal. Other than that, keep things neutral – black shades, clean kicks, and minimal jewelry.
We make sure you look good, whether you’re pulling up to an art show or just flexing in the city.
