Capsule 2: Altruism

Altruism: The belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
 
Our offering: a modern take on yesterday, reimagined for today and tomorrow.

With the uncertainty of the last few years, we turn to Maimonides’ Ladder of Tzedakah, or the Golden Ladder of Charity, to inspire a return to acts of selflessness, a return to altruism.

 

Capsule 2 pays homage to a classic style with our minimal and modern interpretation for looking the part when catching up on all the missed occasions that called for it.

Combining natural materials and traditional silhouettes with our signature functional details and modern hardware allows each piece to stand out on its own or as an addition to any contemporary wardrobe. This limited capsule serves as a basis for any occasion, ready to be combined with past and future collections.

 

C2: Altruism is dedicated to my grandfathers, Donald Francis Dunn [1925-2013] and Günter Rudolf Arndt [1935-2021]. They were exemplary men of their time, inspiring and helping people in their respective fields of retail fashion and metalwork. This is my part, for I shall not pass this way again.
- Jason, Founder of · E T | A L ·

Triftstraße, Berlin — Childhood primary school and neighborhood of Günter Arndt

A contemporary approach to a traditional form:
this is our Refined style.

Classic pieces emphasized by
natural and carefully sourced materials.

Herringbone Wool from New Zealand

Traceable Baby Alpaca from Peru

Brushed Herringbone Cotton from England

Ollo Scarf

Featuring a double-sided contrast jacquard logo detailing and calf leather patch to act as a mini-pocket. Its oversized dimensions ensure you stay warm.

Nave Sweater

Featuring a turtleneck, dropped shoulder, loose fit, and thin profile.
Perfect for layering under the St. Coat or a sized up Günter Shirt.

100% Traceable Baby Alpaca

We know from exactly where and through which processes our baby alpaca material went through before reaching our manufacturer to be knit into each finished piece.

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do
or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it — For I shall not pass this way again.

- Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (ca. 1527 – 1556)

Altruism and The Golden Ladder of Charity

Capsule 2 is founded on the concept of Altruism. The present global world is simultaneously more interconnected and isolated than ever, and we hope to inspire acts of selflessness through our communities and the world.

 

Altruism: selflessly helping others with no thought of reward or personal gain. It is a type of behavior that goes beyond what is expected of a person and is considered selfless and charitable.

One of the main positive effects is that it can help to create stronger, more cohesive communities. When people help one another, they build trust and a sense of connection, leading to better cooperation and collaboration. This can be especially important in times of crisis when people need to come together to support each other.

Altruism can also have a positive impact on the individual who is engaging in selfless behavior. Helping others can give people a sense of purpose and fulfillment and provide a sense of satisfaction and pride. It can also help to reduce stress and improve mental health by providing a sense of meaning and connection.

 

For this reason, we have chosen to embrace Maimonides' Ladder of Tzedakah. The following are the eight levels:

8 - Giving unwillingly.

7 - Giving willingly but inadequately.

6 - Giving adequately after being asked.

5 - Giving before being asked.

4 - Giving to an unknown recipient.

3 - Giving anonymously to a known recipient.

2 - Giving anonymously to an unknown recipient.

1 - Giving the recipient the means to become self-supporting

 

Tzedakah is considered a moral obligation rather than a voluntary act of kindness. It can include giving money to support worthy causes or providing direct assistance to individuals who are in need.

It's also seen as a way to repair the world — improving the overall well-being of the world — working towards a more just and equitable society.

 

From I to Us. The path to We.

Helping Hands

Designed by Cristo Perera - a resident tattoo artist and illustrator from AKA - this design will be included as an A4 and A6-size with any purchase of a C2: Altruism product. This is meant to be displayed as an artwork.

The Helping Hands design represents the fragility of the world and our own responsibilities to help one another. The text, inspired by a family memento, is a reminder that our lives are interconnected, and each of us should do our part while we can.

How it's made

This design is printed on recycled 250 g/m² A6-size recycled white paper at We Make It, a local Berlin-based design studio specializing in Risography.

RISO printing is one of the most sustainable ways of printing: it doesn't produce any air pollutants like toner-based printers; uses leftover rice bran oil for ink; and uses an incredibly low amount of energy, about 90% less than a traditional printer.

This is just another way we simultaneously integrate environmentally conscious processes and support local businesses. Find out more about our efforts here.

References

Concept

Altruism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2020, August 31). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism/

Altruism Definition | What Is Altruism. (n.d.). Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/altruism/definition

Wikipedia contributors. (2022). Altruism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism

Wikipedia contributors. (2022). Tzedakah. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzedakah


Products

Acne Studios. 2018. Navid jacquard logo t-shirt [clothing].

AMI. 2015. Wool/Alpaca-blend turtleneck sweater [clothing].

Balenciaga. 2016. Short-sleeve button-down shirt [clothing].

Balenciaga. 2017. Homme high-neck zippered sweater [clothing].

CA4LA Beanie. 2015. Alpaca-blend beanie [clothing].

ETAL. 2020. C1 Oberbaumbrücke sweatshirt [clothing].

Prada. 2019. Ribbed knit neck warmer [clothing].

Represent. 2021. Blank long-sleeve t-shirt [clothing].

Rick Owens. n.d. Astaire trousers [clothing].

Rick Owens. 2018. Sisyphus wool-blend scarf [clothing].

Sandro. 2016. Distressed plaid button-down shirt [clothing].

Sandro. 2018. Double collar coat [clothing].

Song for the Mute. 2019. Cropped pleated trousers [clothing].

Vintage. n.d. Tapered wool-blend trousers [clothing].

Capsule 2: Altruism

For our second capsule, we focus our attention from an inner perspective to the greater one that binds us all. Altruism: the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.

We believe that giving more than we take and reminding each other of digital and physical acts of selflessness are now more important than ever as we face an uncertain future.

With the uncertainty of the last few years, we turn to Maimonides’ Ladder of Tzedakah, or the Golden Ladder of Charity, to inspire a return to acts of selflessness, a return to altruism.

 

Capsule 2 pays homage to a classic style with our minimal and modern interpretation for looking the part when catching up on all the missed occasions that called for it.

Combining natural materials and traditional silhouettes with our signature functional details and modern hardware allows each piece to stand out on its own or as an addition to any contemporary wardrobe. This limited capsule serves as a basis for any occasion, ready to be combined with past and future collections.

 

C2: Altruism is dedicated to my grandfathers, Donald Francis Dunn [1925-2013] and Günter Rudolf Arndt [1935-2021]. They were exemplary men of their time, inspiring and helping people in their respective fields of retail fashion and metalwork. This is my part, for I shall not pass this way again.
- Jason, Founder of · E T | A L ·

A contemporary approach
to a traditional form:
this is our Refined style.

Classic pieces emphasized by natural and carefully sourced materials.

Herringbone Wool from New Zealand

Traceable Baby Alpaca from Peru

Brushed Herringbone Cotton from England

Ollo Scarf

Featuring a double-sided contrast jacquard logo detailing and calf leather patch to act as a mini-pocket. Its oversized dimensions ensure you stay warm.

Nave Sweater

Featuring a turtleneck, dropped shoulder, loose fit, and thin profile. Perfect for layering under the St. Coat or a sized up Günter Shirt.

Traceable Baby Alpaca

We know from exactly where and through which processes our baby alpaca material went through before reaching our manufacturer to be knit into each finished piece.

Altruism and The Golden Ladder of Charity

Capsule 2 is founded on the concept of Altruism. The present global world is simultaneously more interconnected and isolated than ever, and we hope to inspire acts of selflessness through our communities and the world.

 

Altruism: selflessly helping others with no thought of reward or personal gain. It is a type of behavior that goes beyond what is expected of a person and is considered selfless and charitable.

One of the main positive effects is that it can help to create stronger, more cohesive communities. When people help one another, they build trust and a sense of connection, leading to better cooperation and collaboration. This can be especially important in times of crisis when people need to come together to support each other.

Altruism can also have a positive impact on the individual who is engaging in selfless behavior. Helping others can give people a sense of purpose and fulfillment and provide a sense of satisfaction and pride. It can also help to reduce stress and improve mental health by providing a sense of meaning and connection.

 

For this reason, we have chosen to embrace The Golden Ladder of Charity, or Maimonides' Ladder of Tzedakah. The following are the eight levels:

8 - Giving unwillingly.

7 - Giving willingly but inadequately.

6 - Giving adequately after being asked.

5 - Giving before being asked.

4 - Giving to an unknown recipient.

3 - Giving anonymously to a known recipient.

2 - Giving anonymously to an unknown recipient.

1 - Giving the recipient the means to become self-supporting

 

Tzedakah is considered a moral obligation rather than a voluntary act of kindness. It can include giving money to support worthy causes or providing direct assistance to individuals who are in need.

It's also seen as a way to repair the world — improving the overall well-being of the world — working towards a more just and equitable society.

 

From I to Us. The path to We.

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it — For I shall not pass this way again.

- Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (ca. 1527 – 1556)

Helping Hands

Designed by Cristo Perera - a resident tattoo artist and illustrator from AKA - this design will be included as an A4 and A6-size with any purchase of a C2: Altruism product. This is meant to be displayed as an artwork.

The Helping Hands design represents the fragility of the world and our own responsibilities to help one another. The text, inspired by a family memento, is a reminder that our lives are interconnected, and each of us should do our part while we can.

How it's made

This design is printed on recycled 250 g/m² A6-size recycled white paper at We Make It, a local Berlin-based design studio specializing in Risography.

RISO printing is one of the most sustainable ways of printing: it doesn't produce any air pollutants like toner-based printers; uses leftover rice bran oil for ink; and uses an incredibly low amount of energy, about 90% less than a traditional printer.

This is just another way we simultaneously integrate environmentally conscious processes and support local businesses. Find out more about our efforts here.

References

Concept

Altruism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2020, August 31). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism/

Altruism Definition | What Is Altruism. (n.d.). Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/altruism/definition

Wikipedia contributors. (2022). Altruism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism

Wikipedia contributors. (2022). Tzedakah. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzedakah


Products

Acne Studios. 2018. Navid jacquard logo t-shirt [clothing].

AMI. 2015. Wool/Alpaca-blend turtleneck sweater [clothing].

Balenciaga. 2016. Short-sleeve button-down shirt [clothing].

Balenciaga. 2017. Homme high-neck zippered sweater [clothing].

CA4LA Beanie. 2015. Alpaca-blend beanie [clothing].

ETAL. 2020. C1 Oberbaumbrücke sweatshirt [clothing].

Prada. 2019. Ribbed knit neck warmer [clothing].

Represent. 2021. Blank long-sleeve t-shirt [clothing].

Rick Owens. n.d. Astaire trousers [clothing].

Rick Owens. 2018. Sisyphus wool-blend scarf [clothing].

Sandro. 2016. Distressed plaid button-down shirt [clothing].

Sandro. 2018. Double collar coat [clothing].

Song for the Mute. 2019. Cropped pleated trousers [clothing].

Vintage. n.d. Tapered wool-blend trousers [clothing].

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated."
- Oscar Wilde