Men Are Born Free, Yet Everywhere We Are In Chains: Otto 958
Otto 958 is a cultural platform and fashion brand founded by Kiko Kostandinov in collaboration with Los Angeles-based gallerist Al Moran.
Kostandinov had spent his formative days in his birthplace of Bulgaria, eventually moving to England where he attended Central Saint Martins, a globally renowned fashion school. Soon after graduating, he became one of the most prominent figures in the modern fashion landscape.
When it comes to the high fashion space, few can’t quite comprehend it like Kostandinov. Take his pieces in his self-titled brand Kiko Kostandinov. One primary adjective to describe these pieces would be otherworldly.
They appear as small glimpses into another universe, seen only by the Bulgarian-born designer. These garments are the sole physical remnants of that realm to enter our reality. Are they made for a new ruling class that has conquered a new planet, or the laborers who gather the materials for such royalty? For now, they remain simply as clothing for us.
Kiko Kostandinov Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear Index Snap Long Shirt
With Otto 958, Kostandinov’s most recent project, he and his contemporary Al Moran show that creativity with casual playfulness can thrive and persevere in any artistic medium, even in something as rigid as the fashion world.
Otto 958 offers traditional trousers, tees, sweatshirts, and most notably hats with the same creative integrity as Kostandinov’s simultaneous endeavors. One highlight of this project would be the website where you can purchase the latest Otto 985 pieces.
Each garment displayed on the website is worn by a mysterious masked man. The mask draws your attention towards the individual, then the garment. The bulging eyes of the anonymous person peeking through the mask convey a sense of slight liminality. But when draped with the clothes, they are now a device, whose sole purpose is to be a showman for the pieces.
This, mixed with miscellaneous media draped across the site, poses the question of whether Otto 985's garments are the main focus. This project acts as more of a playground for Kostandinov. These models are akin to dress-up dolls, and the miscellaneous media posts pose what one would assume are ideologies and media that interest him. This is a direct stream into Kostandinov's consciousness.
This is Kostandinov’s approach to more casual clothing. But in reality, the word ‘casual’ is taken to a creative bound not seen by many. Want to attempt a new skate shoe? Let’s highlight Middle America while doing it. Want to release a sandal? Let’s use a barefoot construction and have our mysterious masked friend dressed alongside naked men in a bathhouse. It’s as casual as can be for Kostandinov.
Promotional imagery for the Vibram FiveFingers by SUICOKE and OTTO 958
Upon entering the site, the viewer is greeted with a message on the top center of the home page stating,
‘The information on this website is based on our experience to date and we believe it to be reliable. It is intended only as a guide for use at your discretion and risk. We cannot guarantee favorable results and assume no liability concerning its use or of the products described.’
This message is a clear example of what to expect with Otto 985's theme, intrapersonal experience.
Although Otto 958’s collections are not physically held to the same artistic extravagance as his main project, his overarching themes make this phenomenon more than just about clothing.
A screenshot of the Otto 958 website displaying descriptions of random horror films
Most of his pieces are paired with a display of different descriptions. Some have more in common with others, depending on which collection it falls under. In a section labeled ‘Spooky Bauhaus’, each description reads from what appears to be a part of a script from a random horror movie.
This includes movies such as Get Out (2017), Night of the Living Dead (1968), and Halloween (1978), with other examples as well.
Other descriptions also contain excerpts from the novel The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, which explores class conflict, social decay, and adaptation.
Another example of this indoctrination of personality is the initial art exhibit that opened in 2019 at the Moran Moran Gallery titled 'Otto 95.8'.
Each piece is inspired by bits and pieces of Kostandinov's thoughts and ideas and the ‘traditional’ flair that encompasses most of his designs. The name Otto 95.8 is a reference to a street Kostandinov used to live on and a radio frequency.
An array of art pieces from the Otto 95.8 exhibit held in Moran Moran in 2019. Photo courtesy of Moran Moran
The exhibit featured various pieces. Some span from modified Bulgarian bags, which is a specific type of weight training system, to modified Burr Snap trench coats interwoven with ‘Travis Perkin’ sponsored Rugby jerseys. Travis Perkins is a British builders’ merchant and home improvement retailer. These pieces are callbacks to many notable parts of the fashion designer's past.
This is an excellent parallel to what Otto 958's theme seems to encompass, the expression of one's self. This is how Kiko Kostandinov has handled what can only be an extremely formidable career.
The possibilities are endless with what Kostandinov can do with this project. As long as the designer remains passionate and consistent with the ongoing project, there's no telling what more he can bring to a fashion landscape that requires playful, artistic integrity.
