Earth-Friendly Fjallraven
Fjallraven is a Swedish outdoor-orientated brand that is at one with nature. Perhaps best-known around these parts because of its world-famous Kanken and its seriously good winter coats. Whether it is the recycled materials, the timeless designs or its stance on animal welfare Fjallraven has the upmost respect for the environment. Today we turn our attention to the one and only Kanken.
Kanken
Fjallraven’s Kanken was originally designed back in 1978 to prevent school kids from developing back problems. It didn’t take long for this bag to become part of the furniture in primary schools nationwide and around street corners all over Europe.
It’s a rugged and versatile pack that is ideal for work, travelling and every possible adventure under the sun. It is carried by millions across the globe and you’ll do pretty well to walk down any major high street in this country and not come face to face with said bag.
The classic Kanken is made from a durable and lightweight Vinylon F fabric that can tolerate all kinds of dirt and moisture. Features include everything you’d expect in a rucksack; two types of carry handles, one large compartment and a variety of additional pockets.
The design is simple and has remained unchanged after all these years. An internal address label is an affectionate nod to its humble beginnings as a product designed for school kids. Fjallraven currently hold 18 Kanken options to meet the demands of any and every occasion.
Re-Kanken
The Re-Kanken is exactly what the name suggests. A regular Kanken only made from 100% recycled materials. An eco-friendly update to the Swedish label’s most celebrated backpack.
The shape and features are like-for-like against the classic Kanken however this guy is made up entirely from recycled polyester that has come from eleven plastic bottles. To colour the bags, the fabric is dyed through SpinDye technology that drastically reduces the levels of water, energy and chemicals used.
Not only is this a sustainably-aware choice of backpack but the branding has been transformed from something that is instantly-recognisable into something quite low-key and classy. Embroidered and tonal loveliness.
So not only do Fjallraven continue to deliver amazing coats, it’s invented and continues to develop one of the best rucksacks ever made. This earth-friendly brand continues to innovate, inspire and build on its already-legendary legacy.
Universal Works x The Hip Store SS18
Over the winter months we worked some magic with David Keyte and the troops over at Universal Works and today we present to you our SS18 collaboration. Still riding the corduroy wave from last season’s exclusive this time out we’ve turned summer levels up to maximum.
Three classic silhouettes from the Nottingham label’s core range have been reworked creating three unique lines. With the spirit of summer in mind we’ve hit the fatigue shorts, bucket hat and baker’s overshirt and given them all a fresh identity. It has all been made from an incredibly supple and super fine babycord cotton with all three styles arriving in blue, pink and stone.
Small batches have been produced so you’re going to have to form an orderly queue. Launching at The Hip Store on 01/06/18. Online at 08:00 and available at our Leeds store from 09:00.
A Cali climbing brand combating Climate Change.
With more and more emphasis being placed on business to trade in an environmentally-friendly fashion, Patagonia is without doubt one of the best around. The Californian brand is committed to fighting climate change, tackling it head-on.
Its founder, Yvon Chouinard is a self-taught blacksmith, entrepreneur and an aspiring figure not only in the climbing and fashion worlds, but in every aspect of life. Chouinard is a passionate climber who started selling climbing equipment, specifically steel pitons from the back of his car and before he knew it, he had a business. During the winter, his days were filled by making climbing hardware and the summer months he spent climbing and selling his climbing gear. Economically he was a very frugal young man, selling what he made to cover his living costs.
Soon enough, the demand for his product out-weighed his resources. In 1965 he partnered up with Tom Frost and the pair began creating gear using professional tools and machinery, ‘Chouinard Equipment’ was born.
Five years on Chouinard Equipment established itself as the number one mountain equipment supplier in the US. Climbing became so popular that the steel pitons used started to cause horrible damage to the environment. With this realisation, the duo phased out its steel pitons and created ‘clean’ climbing tools in the form of aluminium chocks.
Clothing entered the fold when Chouinard was on a climbing trip in Scotland and picked up a rugby top that he found ultra-functional and super-practical for climbers. He returned to the States with said rugby top and his friends all wanted to know where they could get their hands on one. A well-known English sports manufacturer, Umbro were selling them at the time so he ordered as many as he could and. These rugby jerseys sold so well that more had to be sourced from from New Zealand and Argentina.
The clothing aspect of the business really helped support the brand financially. The clothing quickly expanded with a range rain shells bivouac sacks, gloves and hats all being added to the brand’s offering. A name change was required as the direction shifted from equipment to a clothing and accessories. The name Patagonia was selected for a few reasons, it was pronounceable in all languages; the brand wanted to be known for more than just equipment and Patagonia was almost seen as some sort of mystical, magical place.
For more on the brand’s philosophy and tales from Yvon Chouinard, recommend reading is ‘Let My People Go Surfing’ as this article is just the tip of the iceberg.
Responsible Business Decisions
Without doubt Patagonia is leading the way in the sustainable clothes-making space. It’s mission statement is powerful, poignant and political. ‘Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environment crisis’.
Environmental and social responsibility runs through the brand’s veins. With its alpine roots, climbing will always be a core aspect of the brand’s identity however Patagonia is a name associated with surfing, trail running, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing and paddling, all sports that don’t require an engine. Instead these sports requite people connecting with nature and using natural sources to motor along.
Patagonia massively appreciates the planet it abodes and it continues to drive movements, campaigns and awareness to help reverse the rapid rate of climate change. This selfless brand donates time, services and 1% off all sales to environmental groups whose main goal is to combat climate change. It is aware of the pollution and fuel it uses to run everyday business activity but continues to innovate in creating the most earth-friendly clothing possible.
Whether it’s the recycled fabrics, organic cotton or reclaimed fixture and fittings in its stores, Patagonia show no signs of slowing down its battle with Climate Change. Patagonia’s success is somewhat down to the fact its core values have been un-altered since day one and how more and more people are leaning towards and crave and an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
Worn Wear
Patagonia encourages people to buy less and recycle more. Worn Wear is Patagonia’s repair hub that fixes and mends damaged goods. Whether it’s a broken zip or an accidental tear Patagonia will repair it for you. As well as online repair and care guides Worn Wear is an in-store pop up as well as mobile trucks.
It doesn’t matter where you bought it from, if it’s broken Patagonia will fix it for you, for free. Just as you thought Patagonia couldn’t get any more sustainably responsible, Worn Wear shows up.
Fair Trade Certified
Patagonia pays a premium for every Fair Trade Certified product it creates. Money raised goes direct to the factories and the workers democratically decide how the funds are used. Fair Trade promotes healthy and safe environments for workers and encourages crucial conversations between workers and managers. Other important Fair Trade factors are helping increase workers’ wages and improving living standards.
Patagonia’s Artwork
Without question the P-6 Logo is Patagonia’s most commonly used and popular logo. For this season, Patagonia has worked on its P-6 logo t-shirts to make them even more environmentally-friendly with the Responsibili-Tee. This t-shirt is made from 100% recycled materials including recycled cotton and post-consumer recycled polyester. Logos have been screen-printed using PVC and phthalate-free inks and the sewing is Fair Trade Certified. To produce this t-shirt Patagonia use 4.8 plastic bottles, 0.26 pounds of fabric scrap and in comparison to a regular cotton t-shirt, 63 gallons of water is saved.
This Responsibili-Tee manufacturing process continues with the Shop Sticker Logo and Line Logo t-shirts. The Shop Sticker crops into the peak of the Fitz Roy mountain range and the branding sinks to just below the artwork. The Line Logo T-Shirt is an almost digital-like Patagonia Logo with an alternate typeface, more of a free-flowing mountain range all packed into a rounded rectangular border.
Two other Patagonia logos available are the Up & Out and Fitz Roy Hex logo. Both can be found on t-shirts made up of the same stuff as the aforementioned t-shirts. The Up & Out logo is pretty retro with a mountain slope and a sunset in the distance along with ‘Conquerors Of The Useless’ beneath the Patagonia script logo. The Fitz Roy Hex logo is like a sports badge. Within a hexagon border is the Fitzy Roy mountain backdrop, script branding is switched to uppercase along with references to its Californian HQ and the established date.
A constant presence on The Hip Store rails and available all-year round, Patagonia logo t-shirts not only have cool branding but they’re easy-wearing and comfortable. All t-shirts featured are available in Leeds and online now.
Polo Ralph Lauren CP-93 Capsule Collection
Polo Ralph Lauren continue its iconic reissue series with the Polo CP-93 Capsule Collection. This limited-edition pack is inspired by the ’92 America’s Cup in San Diego, California when Ralph Lauren sponsored the competition and was the event’s official kit supplier. The brand created a nautical-themed general release collection the following year which was re-imagined styles that reflected the bold, sporting spirit of the originals. Ralph Lauren’s popularity grew massively after the competition and the CP-93 story was born along with the ‘CP RL-93’ logo.
This limited-edition collection consists of 24 reimagined styles inspired the original collection and ‘90s Archival scarf designs featuring sailing and Riviera-inspired prints. Big colours, all-over prints, sailing motifs and the ‘CP RL-93’ logo are central to all pieces within the range.
Key lines include a nylon windbreaker with a printed boat race scene, nautical print swim shorts, a bold oversized colour-block sweatshirt with matching bottoms and a crest-embroidered hat. The brand’s classic Polo shirt is also reinterpreted for this drop that includes a mix of iconic graphics and stripes inspired by the original collection.
The Ralph Lauren CP-93 Capsule Collection is launching at The Hip Store on 31/05/18.
Aime Leon Dore SS18
For SS18 we welcome Aime Leon Dore to our brand list for the very first time. Teddy Santis established the label in 2014 and the Queen-based label drop seasonal collection that are highly-anticipated and have rapid sell-out rates.
Born and inspired New York City, Aime Leon Dore focus on simple yet powerful design producing classic silhouettes with now-iconic branding. Santis mixes Uptown sartorial with Downtown rawness to create a unique aesthetic.
Product-runs remain tight with US and Canadian manufacturing guarantees meticulous construction and sophisticated fabrics that makes a quality range of clothing. Our debut collection features a variety of low-key essentials including hoodies, t-shirts and bottoms.
The second Aime Leon Dore delivery has arrived that consists of more logo t-shirts, fleece sweatshirts, shorts and the brand’s take on the classic Wallabee shoe that’s worth checking out.
Patta SS18 Drop Two
To wrap up its summer season activity Patta deliver Part Two of its SS18 collection. The Amsterdam-based streetwear heavyweight call upon Menno Kok once again to shoot the final pieces of season.
The second drop is very much a continuation of drop one and is essentially more of Patta doing what Patta do best. Highlights include collegiate-sports branding, a seersucker over-the-head shirt, sangria-coloured sport shorts and of course all kinds of logo and graphic t-shirts.
Patta SS18 Drop Two is launching online on 18/05/18 at 08:00 and will available from our Leeds store on the same day from 09:00. In the meantime take a look at what’s left from Patta SS18 Drop One.
