Alpinestars, a leading premium brand in motorsports fashion, is launching into travel retail with a range of new accessories. The new products are said to “unite technology with craftsmanship”.
The Alpinestars range includes watches with lightweight carbon fibre and durable silicone straps; electronic speakers and Bluetooth headphones featuring noise reduction technology. Also available are leather accessories such as wallets and luggage, plus a range of fragrance products.
Founded in 1963 by Sante Mazzarolo in Asolo, Italy, the company introduced the first dedicated Motocross boot, expanding into motorcycle road racing technical footwear shortly afterwards, becoming a leader in motorsports high performance footwear technology.
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In the fast lane: Alpinestars is introducing watches, accessories and a fragrance line to travel retail |
Its products have been worn by world champions such as Roger DeCoster, Kenny Roberts and Mick Doohan. In the 1990s the company launched a racing technology programme in Formula 1 and branched out into the manufacturing of technical protective gear for motorcycling, with items ranging from full leather suits, jackets and riding protection.
Alpinestars was a pioneer in the development of electronic airbag technology for motorcycling. In car racing, it developed flame and heat resistant Nomex suits, footwear, gloves and underwear in Formula 1 and NASCAR, which have been worn by champions such as Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Jimmie Johnson. TV programme Top Gear’s Stig wears the distinctive white Alpinestars race suit, shoes and gloves.
International Sales Manager Mike Pellegrotti said: “Alpinestars is very excited to be launching for the first time into travel retail. We feel the brand and travel retail sit very closely together with the strong links to international motor sports, as Alpinestars is the preferred brand of world champion drivers.
“The brand is recognised worldwide for its style, innovation and technology. The growth of our lifestyle brand to become the number one in social media is a measure of our success on high street. Travel retail is therefore a natural progression as the brand is a match for the modern travelling consumer.”
As well as its original base in Northern Italy, today the company has its operational headquarters and major research and development facilities in Los Angeles. It also has regional offices in Tokyo and Bangkok that handle markets across Asia.
*Alpinestars will be on show at the Gray d’Albion Hotel, Azur Room (Floor 1), during TFWA World Exhibition. For more information contact CRM Accessories’ Mike Pellegrotti at mikep@crmtrading.co.uk or call +44 7970 290257.
