LONDON, June 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
On any Sunday
Escape on Wheels
Belstaff's SS17 collection is inspired by Bruce Brown's 1971 motorcycle film, On Any Sunday, starring Steve McQueen. Like the film, the collection celebrates the carefree attitude of the guys and girls from on and off the bike tracks. Referencing the palette of the film, colours and design references are also taken from Belstaff archive pieces of the era.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160608/377293 )
Belstaff's VP Men's Design, Frederik Dyhr, said: "The early 70s was a defining time for Belstaff, when leather manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic really embraced colour and used it as personalisation for the first time."
Belstaff has also included 5 looks from the Women's Spring 17 (pre) collection, taking the same early 70s carefree biker inspiration from the film, and featuring suede, technical outerwear, denim, and leathers rich in racing motifs.
Gavin Haig, Belstaff CEO said: "Belstaff has always been a dual-gender brand throughout its 90 year+ history, from its earliest female adopters the pioneering aviatrixes Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson to more recent ambassadors Kate Moss and Liv Tyler. We have always shown men's and women's together in our campaigns and have been working towards showing them together in our presentations. This season felt like the right time to start"
Belstaff has again chosen a very British location for the presentation: the Queen Elizabeth II Centre opposite Westminster Abbey. The event extraordinarily coincides with this other legendary nonagenarian's event: HRH Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday luncheon being held a stone's throw away along The Mall.
12-time World Trials Champion Dougie Lampkin MBE will be performing bike stunts for the thrill of Belstaff's guests and the public. Coming from a biking dynasty who all wore Belstaff, he is proud to continue the tradition.
Sammy Miller MBE (born 1933) - the eleven time British Trial Champion and racing legend from an even earlier generation - was also in attendance, wearing his vintage 1962 Trialmaster (Belstaff's original four-pocket wax-cotton jacket launched in 1948 and still a bestseller today). Sammy insisted on wearing Belstaff through his 3 decades of trials and worked with Belstaff to adapt the Trialmaster to his needs. His connection with Belstaff truly sealed it as the go-to brand for the motorcycling community. Belstaff has commemorated Sammy's contribution to the brand and the bike world in the recent addition of the Sammy Miller jacket.
In addition to apparel, this season sees Belstaff launch a new accessories line inspired by adventure travel, having linked up with legendary photo agency Magnum Photos. Award-winning Magnum photographer Paolo Pellegrin worked with Dyhr on the creation of a Magnum X Belstaff camera bag which can double as a Weekender for those not in the field.
The Colonial bag (so beloved of Brad Pitt and Will Smith) has been updated for today's customer with leather trims, new hardware, and features giving easier access. A backpack and tote complement these. All are offered in canvas with leather trims or in Belstaff's proprietary hand-wax leather.
Pellegrin has shot the collection in action in the field: the campaign will launch this July 2016 when the range lands in store.
Another "see now, buy now" proposition are the sunglasses. Belstaff collaborates with NativeSons for the second summer running - this year on a smaller aviator, the Ryder. This limited edition of 100 will go on sale the day after the presentation (13th June) in stores and at Belstaff.com.
Friends of Belstaff, Bremont watches, have loaned 4 watches for the presentation, inspired by the 2 brands' shared values of adventure and aviation. Belstaff have in turn customised 3 jackets for the Bremont Horsemen pilots in occasion of this weekend's America's Cup to which Bremont was appointed Official Timing Partner.
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