Paul & Shark has rediscovered its iconic shark symbol in its new Autumn/Winter Collection. The range is said to combine craftsmanship with hi-tech performance.
The collection, which includes four “state-of-the-art” jackets, takes inspiration from Italian explorer Alex Bellini’s adventure at -40 degrees on Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier.
The Water Jacket, designed like a fabric parka, is water and wind resistant. Its surface is said to reproduce the luminescent effects of materials with reflectors and the camouflage shades of vegetation. The multi-zip Fire Jacket is waterproof and tear resistant. The jacket is made from Tyveck material, said to reflect the loss of heat onto the body, reducing it to a minimum even at the lowest temperatures.
The military-style Air Jacket is made with a hollow fibre treated to allow thermal insulation. It is lightweight and also resistant to water and wind.
Paul & Shark’s Earth Jacket is made of cotton poplin and lightweight, seamless, thermo-taped nylon. It is described as an “ideal leisure time garment” due to its versatility and casualness.
Paul & Shark said each piece in the new range blends tailoring with active wear, haute couture and sport. Materials include merino wools, treated to offer breathable, waterproof and heat-regulating properties. Double-face down jackets are made with a lightweight multi-directional stretch fabric.
A new range of trousers incorporates the same research, processes and experimentations as the jackets.
For global travel retail, four themes – Water, Fire, Air, and Earth – have been used to create capsule collections. The colours, including forest green, woody brown, stone and deep blues, are designed to draw travellers in-store, said Paul & Shark.
Paul & Shark said the four seasonal themes complement its ‘core’ colours. For 2017/18 autumnal Bordeaux replaces the usual bright red, while the traditional navy and white colours remain.
Paul & Shark Global Travel Retail Director Catherine Bonelli said: “We are focusing on fewer SKU’s for global travel retail, using analysis of passenger buying patterns and preferences to create a much tighter offer highlighting styles and sizes that we know work in this channel.”
The camouflage Sharkflage collection offers a ‘trendy’ twist to Paul & Shark’s range, while Colour and Blue Badge use American-styling to create a preppy look.
A new limited edition Marine Wool sweater is inspired by the A/W17 range and uses elements from the Reflective and Sharkflage collections. It is presented in a 40th anniversary edition of the brand’s original tins.
Bonelli commented: “From a very extensive collection, we are very excited to have distilled the total offer into the perfect mix of styles, colourways and sizes for travel retail.
“We now spend a great deal of time analysing sales from each of our retail outlets in travel retail to ensure that we can work closely with individual buyers to create the perfect offer for each airport, chosen to reflect the passenger profile.
“This next season collection is particularly innovative, practical, and different which is something both retailers and passengers are always on the lookout for.”
