NORWEGIAN RAIN x COAL Launch at Harvey Nichols TODAY - 'The Harvey Nichols Rain Project'

Yesterday saw the exclusive UK launch of Norwegian Rain to Harvey Nichols’ flagship Knightsbridge store. Norwegian Rain inaugurated their presence with an exciting collaborative project, ‘The Harvey Nichols Rain Project’, devised with the members of creative collectif, The COAL Project.

Norwegian Rain, founded 2009, immediately gaining the attention of Vogue Italy for its sartorial take on high-performance outerwear that fused the technology from extreme outdoor garments, with traditional tailoring and Japanese sensibility. A harmony between elements that the brand have likened to the ancient Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’; taking something old and using expertise to create a new life that exceeds anything that could be created by sole imagination. The balance between tradition and innovation represented with waterproof, windproof and breathable outerwear collections, whose unique and distinctive designs conceal the highest levels of weather protection available.

Whilst the Norwegian Rain collections are a mixture of menswear, womenswear and unisex designs, The Harvey Nichols Rain Project will sit within the department stores’ Menswear department, transforming an area of the Lower Ground floor with a contemporary exhibition-cum-experiential retail space, spanning approximately 200 sq. ft. and incorporating both Norwegian Rain outerwear and expertly handcrafted goods such as Paris-based Lotho eyewear, Super Duper Hats and Sebastian Dollinger’s special-edition Eton shirts.

With over 50 stockists in more than 20 countries, the forthcoming venture with The COAL Project will celebrate Norwegian Rain’s debut into the UK. The space itself will be based upon the art of craft; rough, natural-edge wood, painted in white, with the product providing the necessary ‘ink’. Vintage furniture, sourced from flea markets and craftsmanship tools, will serve as props within the space,

Alexander Helle, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Norwegian Rain comments, "As always we aim to create something different. Something that hopefully will leave you inspired. A showroom, an exhibition, a shop. Harvey Nichols is the first in the UK to retail our concept. The Menswear team are progressive and open to new ideas; the perfect starting point for collaboration."

T-Michael, Co-Founder and Designer of Norwegian Rain adds, "Teaming up with Harvey Nichols for a UK launch is simply brilliant! Together with the COAL members we will present a curated pop-up, showcasing craftsmanship and well-designed pieces. Norwegian Rain’s stylistic approach to rainwear will, for the first time, be available in the UK! Wicked!"

Sam Lambert of The COAL Project furthers this, “Finally, all our customers that have been travelling to London to get something from us now have a chance to fully understand the innovation and sophistication of our products. We hope that the space will appeal to anybody who knows the discipline of dressing well.”

Darren Skey, Harvey Nichols’ Head of Menswear concludes, “Our customers are always looking out for the next cutting-edge fashion brand.  The introduction of Norwegian Rain to Harvey Nichols provides just that; an innovative technical product with serious ‘fashionability’. With the pop up comes the added benefit of bringing together an artisanal and creative collective in a curated space that will add an amazing dimension to Harvey Nichols’ Menswear.”

The Harvey Nichols Rain Project will remain in place until end January 2014