OUTERWEAR
SPOT ON
As climate change is bringing sub-zero spells even to areas traditionally renowned for mild winters, one fashion category is seeing rapid growth: technical outerwear designed to withstand the frost. In recent years, Russia – a country that knows a thing or two about Arctic conditions – has seen a new generation of its outerwear brands gain international prominence. Arctic Explorer, a label founded by Ksenia Chilingarova, daughter of the Russian polar scientist and explorer, has taken part in Pitti Uomo alongside tech jackets from Krakatau and
SH`U Clothes, which have also shown in Berlin. Grunge John Orchestra. Explosion has long been established in the international markets, while the recently founded Vatnique makes only one product – a quilted jacket that comes in one size with the same design and fit for men and women – but offers different fabrics, colors and insulation thicknesses depending on the season. Outside of Russia, brands to watch include Mammut, a Swiss company with roots in mountaineering and trekking that merges fashion and function in its outerwear and boot collections, and Head, whose ski collection in showstopping colors is gaining traction with urban fashion cognoscenti who may or may not be seen on mountain slopes.