Take a British heritage outerwear specialist and an equally heritage menswear expedition clothing innovator and you hope to get an essential collaboration for winter 2015. But only if the collaborators are right. So if we say Karrimor Nigel Cabourn? It’s in the kit-bag!
Revitalised for 2015, British outdoor brand Karrimor have been working slavishly on a new premium outerwear collection. Named K100, the collection draws on the brand (first born in Lancashire in 1946) heritage: 60 year’s of innovation and craftsmanship. Their new adventure honours their first weatherproof yet flexible nylon fabric, known as Ks-100e. It sees a line of high quality, technical jackets and coats using superior fabrics and cutting-edge design hit luxury stores across the country.
The sixty piece K100 collection is impressive in itself. But no doubt the standout items are the twelve ‘made in England’ styles created by Nigel Cabourn. The Nigel Cabourn pieces reflect his longstanding passion for functional vintage military and expedition clothing and also embody Karrimor’s DNA. We caught the collection in Flannels’ Manchester store, that has a special affinity with the brand with its Northern roots and long-term relationship with Mr. Cabourn.
The collection launch saw an audience of invited fans of the brands view the collection in store at Flannels for the first time. Nigel Cabourn himself was in attendance from his Newcastle base, and in typical style, the impromptu and typically relaxed (but passionate of course!) chat on the brand design was illuminating. Hands on, the quality of the product in terms of design and craftsmanship is indisputable. The K100 Nigel Cabourn pieces are long-term investments and will be a joy-for-life to any owner. Check out in particular the Mountain Rucksack Jacket, with its direct inspiration from original Karrimor pieces in the pack built into the back of the jacket. Also check out the amazing Fishtail Parka and the super luxe Down Parka.
Talking about the collaboration, Nigel Cabourn said: “For me to agree a collaboration with another company there has to be a strong connection. When I started to look into Karrimor’s history and the amazing achievements the brand and the men who risked life and limb using the product have made, I couldn’t say no. Also when I created my first limited edition collection back in 2003 called the ‘Ascent of Cabourn’, celebrating the 50 year anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s achievement of being the first man to climb to the top of Everest, one of the things that totally inspired me was the original Karrimor Framed Rucksack from the early 60s. Once I started researching fabrics, colours and designs inspiration came quite quickly. I hope whoever comes to see K100 + Cabourn will be as excited as I am about the results.”
K100 Karrimor and K100 Karrimor Nigel Cabourn are available now at Flannels, Spinningfields, Manchester (www.flannels.com). For more on Nigel Cabourn see www.cabourn.com.
