Elden Ring, the epic game of 2022, has taken its larger-than-life presence to the fashion realm with an exclusive collaboration with luxury streetwear brand ARK/8. The result? “The Lands Between Collection,” a line of eight jaw-dropping pieces that are as opulent as the game’s universe itself. While my wallet might weep at the sight of the price tags (ranging from £190 to a whopping £1,400, or approximately $230 to $1,700), there’s no denying the allure of owning a faux fur coat adorned with the intricate map of The Lands Between.
FromSoftware games have always exuded style, and Elden Ring is no exception. Beyond its epic boss battles and intriguing characters, it’s a mesmerizing catwalk in its own right. This collaboration with ARK/8 elevates the game’s aesthetic to new heights, offering pieces like the luxurious faux fur coat and the edgy yet chic “Tarnished Destroyed Sweater,” which has garnered mixed reactions, including comparisons to a dryer mishap.
The mastermind behind this extravagant lineup is Dimitri van Eetvelde, ARK/8’s creative director. With a name as powerful as his designs, Eetvelde revealed that the collaboration had been in the works since late 2021, even before Elden Ring’s official release. The meticulous process involved over two years of brainstorming, countless design meetings, and over 150 scrapped designs before reaching the final collection.
As someone who typically dresses more conservatively and hesitates to spend over £10 on a T-shirt, I find myself strangely captivated by this indulgent fashion venture. While I may lack the audacity to flaunt these pieces myself, I can’t help but appreciate their existence, akin to the elusive Silent Hill/Online Ceramics mashup and the perpetually out-of-reach Disco Elysium jackets. In a world full of the mundane, these extravagances remind us of the boundless creativity that can emerge from unexpected collaborations.
