Alife
Alife is a New York streetwear brand founded in 1999 on Orchard Street in Manhattan. It is known for streetwear, accessories and a long list of sneaker collaborations with major sportswear brands.
| Founded | 1999, New York |
|---|---|
| Origin | Orchard Street, Manhattan |
| Categories | Streetwear, accessories, footwear |
| Known for | Sneaker collaborations |
| Website | alifenewyork.com |
What is Alife?
Alife is a New York streetwear brand founded in 1999 by Arnaud Delecolle, Tony Arcabascio, Tammy Brainard and Rob Cristofaro. Its name refers to bringing an inanimate object to life, and its motto is The source of art is in the life of a people.
History
Alife began as a creative workshop on Orchard Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side, set up to fill what the founders saw as a void of creativity in New York and to share their lifestyle with a wider audience. The company also ran A.R.C., a sneaker boutique. In May 2021 Alife announced the closure of its New York flagship store.
Products and positioning
Alife works across streetwear, accessories and footwear. Collaborations are a central part of its identity, with projects including:
- Nike, adidas, Reebok and New Balance
- Saucony, ASICS and FILA
- Timberland, Lacoste and Dickies
- Mitchell & Ness and Kangol
Recent releases have included an adidas Consortium Nizza Hi, a Saucony Shadow 6000 and Timberland boots.
Why it matters
Alife was one of the early downtown New York streetwear labels, linking art, retail and sneaker culture. Its collaborations with global sportswear brands show how small independent labels became important partners for limited sneaker releases.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Alife?
Alife was founded in 1999 by Arnaud Delecolle, Tony Arcabascio, Tammy Brainard and Rob Cristofaro.
Where is Alife from?
Alife is from New York, where it started as a creative workshop on Orchard Street in Manhattan.