Sunday 10 January 2016

BELSTAFF AW16 MENSWEAR COLLECTION ‘HEADING NORTH’

The Belstaff Autumn/Winter ’16 collection is based upon cold adventure riding and the pursuit of freedom, illustrating a journey that takes you through tough terrains, snowy mountains and icy glaciers in comfort and style.
The collection has been designed to meet the demands of protection (ie against water, wind and friction), mobility and adaptability, merging the heritage of Belstaff classics with innovative new materials, constructions and functionalities to ensure unprecedented warmth and comfort.

“We were inspired by the pioneers of endurance riding who threaded their bikes through some of the most inhospitable conditions for the sheer challenge of the journey,” explains VP of Men’s Design, Frederik Dyhr. “Hence the concept of protection from the elements was integral to the design. By drawing upon the Belstaff heritage, we have provided an unmatched level of functionality and technical detailing, with added warmth and comfort.”

Given the ever-changing conditions these adventurers faced, there is a notable emphasis on adaptability: modular hoods and linings allow the regulation of temperature whilst breathable and water-repellent tri-layer membranes ensure protection in all conditions.

“The concept of adaptability in our Autumn 16 (pre) collection couldn’t be more relevant given the unusually mild weather we’re experiencing,” explains Belstaff CEO Gavin Haig. “Our multiple membranes and linings mean that Belstaff outerwear easily adjusts to temperatures and layers can be peeled off. That said, meteorologists expect El Niño’s frostier sister La Niña to take over this time next year: the more directional Winter 16 collection you see here will ensure you are prepared."

For the collection’s presentation, Belstaff took over the dilapidated Victorian red-brick arches of Southwark’s Ewer Street, providing a bleak backdrop to set the scene for this cold adventure. 
Casting included a mix of established and new faces from all corners of the globe, with veterans Paul Sculfor, Simon Clark and Felix Friedman flanked by key new faces, such as finalists of Model of the Year Tim Schuhmacher and Models.com Break-Out star Sven De Vries, and other youngsters from wider Europe, America, Korea, Japan and Africa.

Levison Wood, contemporary adventurer and Belstaff ambassador, attended as special guest having just returned from his latest challenge of walking the length of the Himalayas. The expedition, which took six months and four-million steps trekking 1,700 miles across the roof of the world, is currently being aired on Sundays at 8pm on Channel 4 and its book was published this week. He wore the Belstaff ‘Levison’ jacket that he and Fred Dyhr had created especially for his expedition, available to buy from February ’16.




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