In his collection, Mercy, Gerrit Jacob explored complex themes of faith, rebellion, and personal transformation, blending religious symbolism with contemporary visual aesthetics. His work not only reflected on the contradictions of faith but also served as a statement about the struggles of growing up. “I wanted to showcase the collision between spirituality and rebellion, how faith can be both comforting and raise so many questions,” Jacob explained. From his beginnings, he was drawn to the coming-of-age theme. “Where I come from, it’s very common to have your communion at 14, and then you have all these smelly teenagers with bad haircuts being forced to attend, even though they don’t really want to be there. That contrast fascinates me.” Alongside his signature spray-paint technique on jackets, pants, tops, and skirts, the new collection introduced pieces without airbrushing for the first time. “It felt risky to present these pieces without airbrushing, but I wanted to try something new—something that challenges me and pushes me forward,” Jacob said.
The collection’s name is a direct reference to Holy Bible by Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin, a photo book that overlays scripture with real-world images of violence, always placed within passages where God’s power manifests through destruction. This powerful metaphor exposes the contradictions of faith, an idea that profoundly influenced Jacob and his aesthetic. Throughout his collection, religious icons clash with a rebellious attitude, creating a tension between belief and defiance. For the first time, pieces from the lineup are available for immediate purchase upon release. “I wanted people to engage with the collection right away, without having to wait six months. It’s about creating a direct connection,” he explained. To make this possible, he had to skip last season and undergo an extensive process of sourcing materials. All the leather pieces are made from recycled materials, primarily vintage leather jackets and pants sourced from second-hand stores in Berlin. “It became clear to me that as a designer, I have to take responsibility, especially as my brand grows. Using recycled leather was a natural step, even though it’s a time-consuming process,” Jacob said.