Apparel Brand showcase: COMME des GRAPPLER

COMME des GRAPPLER (CDG) is a new jiu-jitsu based leisure and lifestyle brand based in the USA.

I was curious to know more about CDG and ask about the reason behind their identity - especially the question as to why the branding so closely mimics the Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons?

1. Why COMME des GRAPPLER?

We want to bring something to jiu-jitsu that has never been done, we are trying to bridge the gap between a fashion forward company AND a 100% jiu-jitsu based lifestyle brand. We feel the name COMME des GRAPPLER is the perfect play on the gap, the name itself is just a name that we loosely translate to "like the grappler" so everything we do, is like "we" the grapplers.

2. It closely mimics the name Comme des Garçon - a famous fashion house are you concerned about the branding overlap?

Not at all! In no way do we feel that their is a branding concern, COMME des GARCON is a high fashion brand. We in no way, other than "comme des" emulate or try to be like our inspiration COMME des GARCON. After all, "comme des" is a french expression and phrase. Excuse my french, (pun intended) comme des fuckdown might be asked the same question lol.

3. Why have you chosen a largely camouflage based series of designs?

Well, in our first release we dropped one camo inspired tee, we have a few other camo pieces that are coming out soon. But put it this way, for every camo design we have 5 more non-camo designs on deck as well. We just really like working with camo right now, its fun and we enjoy the flexibility and creativity with camo.

4. What are your future plans for the brand?

Well, we know where we want to go with the brand, we truly want to have CDG represent jiu jitsu as fashion forward industry that can impact and inspire those who may not do jiu-jitsu to spark an interest and gain an understand for the art, or just go to the local gym and get smashed on and fall in love with it, just as we have!

Thanks to CDG for sending me their tees. I look forward to seeing how their brand develops.

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