Inside VALS3000: How Armin Abaselim is Redefining Swiss Technical Outerwear
Zurich has long been associated with precise chronology, immaculate urban architecture, and quiet institutional wealth. Yet beneath its polished exterior lies an underground scene growing increasingly restless with modern luxury’s over-refined aesthetic. Enter VALS3000, a new Zurich-based technical outerwear label founded by designer Armin Abaselim, which is quietly setting a new precedent for alpine-infused streetwear.
Named as a futuristic homage to the rugged granite landforms of Graubünden, VALS3000 bridges the gap between brutalist utilitarianism and high-altitude functionality. Rather than relying on traditional corporate atelier structures, Abaselim has assembled a tight-knit collective of young design interns and student collaborators to execute the brand’s highly anticipated debut collection, set for release in early Spring 2027.
A Collective Built on Process
Visiting Abaselim’s industrial workshop on the periphery of Zurich reveals an environment closer to an architectural research lab than a traditional garment studio. Rolls of heavy synthetic textiles, laser-cut pattern prototypes, and oxidized metal hardware cover the workbenches.
“The modern fashion industry isolates the head designer from the tactile reality of the garment,” Abaselim explains during a walk-through of the studio archive. “By opening the studio to interns and young textile students as full creative collaborators, VALS3000 becomes a living laboratory. The energy is raw, unrefined, and driven by immediate experimentation.”
Get Peter Fisherson’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
This non-hierarchical approach allows the team to experiment with radical construction methods:
- Perforated Micro-Ventilation: Utilizing precision laser-cutting to create geometric halftone patterns on technical membranes, balancing breathability with structural integrity.
- Modular Layering Systems: Outer shells engineered with internal wiring, convertible silhouettes, and storm-proof closures designed to adapt dynamically to urban and alpine environments.
- Patina & Decay Mechanics: Contrasting ultra-clean synthetic fabrics with custom-treated hardware and oxidized textile accents that age uniquely over time.
The Vision: Alpine Utilitarianism Meets Post-Industrial Subculture
VALS3000 is not interest in traditional Gorpcore nostalgia or suburban outerwear. Abaselim’s vision centers on “alpine utilitarianism”, a design philosophy that treats high-performance mountain gear with the brutalist sensibility of central European club culture and subcultural streetwear.
“We want to subvert the expectation of Swiss perfection,” says Abaselim. “The Swiss landscape is cold, granite, and demanding. VALS3000 reflects that tension, creating gear that protects you from the elements while carrying the visual weight of an underground movement.”
Looking Ahead to Spring 2027
The upcoming Spring 2027 capsule collection will feature a curated selection of technical jackets, modular cargo pants, heavy-fleece midlayers, and utilitarian accessories. Each piece is constructed in limited quantities, emphasizing local craftsmanship and rigorous material testing.
While pricing and stockists remain closely guarded secrets ahead of the official showroom presentations, early glimpses at the collection suggest that VALS3000 is poised to become one of Switzerland’s most formidable exports in contemporary fashion.
For a generation seeking substance over superficial hype, Armin Abaselim and his team are building something meant to endure the cold , both on the mountain and on the street.
VALS3000’s debut collection is scheduled for release in Spring 2027. Updates and lookbook previews will be available via the brand’s official digital platform.
