Teamwork puts stylish spring in sportswear’s step
Roden Gray x Lululemon a collaboration made in street wear-athleisure heaven
Two Vancouver fashion heavyweights have joined forces for a new collaboration.
Yoga mega-brand Lululemon and upscale Gastown-based men’s boutique Roden Gray have teamed up to create a collection that merges the two brands’ curated, cool esthetics.
Basically, it’s the perfect marriage of street style and technical performance — exactly what you’d expect from these two companies — as well as being perfectly on-trend for the ongoing athletic wear-meets-fashion movement.
We caught up with Ben Stubbington, senior vice-president of men’s design at Lululemon, and Rob Lo, founder and co-owner of Roden Gray, to chat about the release, what made the partnership work, and why they’re sure their fans will love it.
QAWhat made Roden Gray a good fit for a collaboration with lululemon?
Stubbington: This collection represents Lululemon’s ever-evolving approach to function-leading esthetic. In this collaboration with Roden Gray, we filtered their forward-thinking esthetic, which resonates with a cutting-edge follower. Collectively, our goal was to lead with function and technical excellence mixed with elevated, minimal, forward-thinking design.
What made this the right time to collaborate with lululemon?
Lo: Fashion has become a strong influence in technical sportswear and vice versa, so really, it’s just the convergence of two distinct style disciplines.
Did the Vancouver connection factor into the partnership at all?
Stubbington: We view Roden Gray as a premier men’s fashion destination that has influence globally. With us both being Vancouver-based, it felt like a natural collaboration to bring the partnership together. We both are innovators and leaders in our fields, always pushing forward with a premium filter, empowering our guests to live their best lives, and helping to provide solves for lifestyle needs.
How would you describe the collection?
Stubbington: Designed always with function in mind, we sought inspiration from a military angle, investigating garments, colours and stealth planes and ships. The collection fuses military features including webbing tape, artwork, reflectivity and abrasion resistance. All fabrics are highly technical, and grounded in black, grey heather and the perfect military green. Every element of design balances a perfect blend of function and esthetic.
How will it differ from the typical Lululemon offerings?
Stubbington: As in our main line, the Lululemon x Roden Gray Collection is based on premium functionality through fabric and design. The tightly curated assortment utilizes all of our most innovative construction and fabric. (It is) minimalized design with a military reference; stripping back to make extremely clean silhouettes from reducing elements like neck trims, bonding laser cutting, and elements of functional reflective integrated graphics. The result is a collection that looks and functions as amazingly when training as it looks on the street.
How do you see this being a fit for the Roden Gray customer?
Lo: Roden Gray is a place for people who are open to new styles and who enjoy great quality products, so the fit is perfect.
The collection builds on the still-popular athleisure trend that sees athletic wear merged with street wear. Where do you see this trend going — or has it gone far beyond a “trend”?
Stubbington: Men have been gravitating towards streetwear and sportswear as fashionable — from modern technical silhouettes, luxury running shoes to nostalgia-inspired sportswear, there are now so many options for men.
Do you have a favourite piece from the launch — and, if so, which one and why?
Lo: I like every piece in the collection, which is quite rare for me to say. There’s been a lot of thought and functional details integrated into every article; plus, you can style them with the existing gear in your closet. It is collaboration and integration at its finest.
Is this the first time you/your team have collaborated for a capsule collection?
Lo: We’ve been fortunate to be a part of other collaborations before, but never on this scale. We are very excited and honoured to be working with Lululemon.
What’s next?
Lo: Ensuring everything is meticulous for the drop of the collection as well as working on some exciting new things this spring. This interview has been edited and condensed.