NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - WE ARE ALL EXPLORERS

Last week I visited the Antwerp showrooms of D-Lux Concept to explore the National Geographic collection for Fall/Winter 2020.

We all know National Geographic as the no1 story teller, with rich content and a big inspiration. Beautiful pictures and stories about nature at its finest. As from now we can explore the world in the National Geographic collection.

Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of the National Geographic brand, so also the National Geographic Apparel are taking their social and environmental responsibility very seriously. The National Geographic Apparel is produced with ecological cotton, recycled fillers, recycled down feathers and recycled nylon. Their goal is to become 100% sustainable by 2025.

The collection range is broad with down jackets, down vests, knits, sweaters and accessories built around 3 colour stories. The Iconic yellow and black, an outdoorsy pale blue and camel and a fashionable olive and orange.

My personal favorite is the Iconic Explorer Jacket in National Geographic yellow.

RALPH LAUREN FW19 SHOWROOM PRESENTATION

This is what we can expect coming Fall from the master of Prep.

CANADA GOOSE PROUDLY MADE IN CANADA

Above you see some pics of the Fall/Winter 2015 collection of Canada Goose. I visited their showroom in Antwerp, Belgium already in February. I had to wait to post these pictures until the first goods will hit the floor and with 25 degrees Celsius and more they just did.

Canada Goose was founded in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada in 1957 by Sam Tick, under the name Metro Sportswear Ltd. After spending years working as a cutter in other factories, it was time for him to start his own business. Metro made woolen vests, raincoats, snowmobile suits, and other functional outerwear before creating down-filled jackets in the early 1970s. 

Canada Goose uses coyote fur around the hoods on their jackets because it never freezes, doesn't hold water, and the uneven hair lengths create a windbreak that protects exposed skin, helping to reduce heat loss from the face. This holds as true in urban environments as much as it does in the high Arctic.

SHOWROOM VISIT - MASON'S FALL/WINTER 2015

During the 1970s, the American marcatino in Livorno was a slice of America on Italian ground, a collection of objects, military garments, and gadgets of all kinds admired by collectors with passion or simple curiosity. America was literally within reach of the community. It was in this precise context that the Mason's Brand matured: the idea of creating civilian garments that conserve the aesthetic characteristics, durability, and functionality of military garments.

An undeniable style was being born, that which would last through the years and exemplify the excellence and artisanship of Made in Italy along with the functionality and avante garde of those military garments. This was the essence of the Mason's character, a resistant and essential wardrobe of the highest quality in both style and materials.

Awareness of the potential of this combination of a strong Italian artisanal tradition with military inspiration did not occur immediately: it was followed by an instinct and an application of great know-how and intuition. We knew the starting point, but, in that initial moment, the horizons were many. Today we know that the way was indicated and the evolution circulated and brought back to its origin not by accident: it brought us to the Italianity, taste for beauty, and importance placed on quality and significant details that make Mason's 100% Made in Italy.

LET ME HELP YOU WITH YOUR COAT, SIR!

Recently, I visited the Paltò Italia showroom, a coat is a base of each wardrobe. Paltò, which means in Italian “a coat”, brings tradition, heritage, detailing and craftsmenship to reality. Designed by Luca Paganelli and inspired by some icons like the Duke of Windsor, James Dean and Jean Paul Belmondo, the collections is packed with Tweeds, Herringbone and Checked overcoats in a broad range of styles and lengths. I loved the nylon vest in yellow with wool details.