Some of the latest products I designed for Reebok hit the market earlier this season, and I finally have a sneak peek from my latest photoshoot to share.
The collection includes a unique transformable backpack, an oversized tote, an update to the iconic Imagiro Bag, a lightweight cap, and a zero-waste packable bag that’s made from a wipe-clean material. The price point for this assortment was challenging, so the emphasis was placed on key features that provided value to the user without adding make/cost, stylish function, and versatility.
I’ll be adding a full project page to my portfolio, but in the meantime you can take a look at these products online.
My latest work for Reebok is now in stores: the Spring/Summer 2019 Women’s Foundation collection. Designed for the price-conscious, athletic female consumer, the challenge for this collection was to balance cost and features without compromising on style.
The previous Foundation Collection was due for an overhaul, and my expertise was needed to determine the right silhouette assortment within the global competitive landscape at this price point. I was also tasked with finding the right ingredient mix to create an aesthetic that reflected the fresh direction of Reebok apparel.
THE COLLECTION INCLUDES:
Ventilated backpack with padded shoulder straps
Lightweight, ventilated cylinder duffel
Oversized, ventilated classic duffel with 2 handle/strap options
Lightweight, ventilated crossbody tote with adjustable strap
Check out the full portfolio page here for a closer look at my process and inspiration.
Some of the latest products I designed for Reebok have just hit the market: a collection of bags and accessories from the Women’s Foundation collection.
This consumer is price conscious but doesn’t want to compromise on function or style. We used a lightweight crinkle poly fabric, combined with large mesh panels for ventilation and a bold graphic to create the right balance. The collection includes a cylinder bag, duffel, backpack and tote, along with a water bottle and baseball cap.
I’ll be adding a full project page to my portfolio, but in the meantime you can take a look at these products online.
For those of you who don't know, WGSN is the leading voice for trends, and is a go-to resource for brands and fashion houses around the world. Needless to say, it was an absolute thrill to find some of the work I have been a part of in a trend report recently issued.
The Future Festival Design Capsule report features a few images from the Cottweiler Collaboration I was a part of, and I'm so proud that I couldn't resist sharing:
To see more information, images and the inspiration behind the project, click here >
The second collection for the collaboration I have been a part of with futuristic menswear label Cottweiler is now in stores. The project, which debuted in July at Fashion Week in London, includes a small collection of accessories including hydration and headwear pieces. Inspired by Marathon Des Sables, a desert marathon regarded as being the toughest footrace in the world, the collection provides apparel, footwear and accessories aimed to address the harsh conditions of the Sahara
For my part, I worked on:
a lightweight cap with a protective, detachable neck cover
a hydration waist belt
and a lightweight hydration vest/backpack hybrid
The Sahara Vest Backpack is particularly interesting, as it is based off the Spartan Hybrid backpack/vest I designed for Reebok in 2016. Designed with extreme racing conditions in mind, it served as a good base to work from. Where the Spartan Hybrid was designed to be indestructible, the Sahara Vest Backpack needed to be lightweight and have UPF protection. We updated the Cordura fabric to a lightweight nylon and altered pockets and details where appropriate, while still maintaining the close-fitting, ergonomic and unique properties of the Spartan Hybrid.
The Sahara Cap includes a removable neck flap and mouth guard to protect from sun and sand, and is fabricated in lightweight UPF fabric.
Designing a super technical product is often much easier than the task of communicating all the technicality within the product. Some features or concepts can only be truly appreciated with sound or when shown on the body in context. We have shorter attention spans than ever; there is only so much text, only so many photographs someone will be willing to scroll through. Important information is bound to be missed.
On that note, I would like to share with you a video I made for the Spartan Hybrid backpack/vest that I designed for Reebok last year.
There was so much research and thought that went into this project - and so many details that were specific for the exact scenario for which it was to be used - that I just wasn't content with images and text alone to tell the story. My hope is that this medium helps bring a richness to the product that I haven't been able to fully communicate until now.
Please enjoy my first real foray into videography, and let me know what you think!
To see more about the research and process that went into creating this product, please visit my portfolio page.
I have been working hard over the past few months to update my site with some of my recent work, and I wanted to take the opportunity to share a few of the highlights.
My self-initiated project to design and make one bag per month is still in full swing. It takes some time to photograph and document everything, so there are bags I haven't had the chance to share yet. That said, I'm really excited about the latest uploads:
Check out my project page to find out more about each bag and see the process behind how each was created.
As a personal design challenge, I created a conceptual set of bags for Y-3, focusing on a Spring/Summer season. I examined the brand's heritage and ethos and created a small collection from a very exploratory, hands-on approach.
My goal was to showcase my hands-on way of working, where physical prototyping happens concurrently with sketching, each informing the other. A folded piece of paper inspires a sketch, a sketch inspires a sewn test, and a sewn test leads to a final mockup, which is then scrutinized and improved. This is my favorite way of working, and I find it produces the most creative results.
The result is a collection of three bags that explore different sizes, shapes and purposes in the context of the Spring/Summer season: an iconic backpack whose details and patterning influenced the overall collection, an expandable duffel bag, and a transformable utility vest/bag hybrid.
Please visit the project page for a look at the complete journey.
Streetwear blog Highsnobiety has posted a sneak peek of the Reebok x Cottweiler Collaboration I was a part of earlier this year. The collection has just landed in stores, and includes a number of accessories I worked on. Find the full article here.
This past weekend, the latest collaboration I was a part of debuted at London Fashion week. We teamed up for a second season with menswear label Cottweiler, this time to create a collection inspired by Marathon Des Sables, a desert marathon regarded as being the toughest footrace in the world.
The entire collection included apparel, footwear and accessories designed with this extreme environment in mind.
For my part, I worked on:
a lightweight cap with a protective, detachable neck cover
a hydration waist belt
and a lightweight hydration vest/backpack hybrid
If the Hydration Vest looks a little familiar, it's because it was based on the hydration solution for runners I designed for Reebok previously, the Spartan Hybrid. We were able to build upon the particular research, knowledge, and solutions created for the extreme obstacle course race environment and adapt fabrics and details to suit the demanding atmosphere of Des Sables.
The runway show included both the Reebok collaboration and the Cottweiler SS18 collection, both of which were met with great reviews.
“Arguably the focal point of the show, though, was the latest in Cottweiler’s ongoing collaboration with Reebok, which first debuted at Pitti Uomo earlier this year. This joint effort took inspiration from sports after care, and so tied in with Reebok’s ideals of combining the mental, social and physical. ”
— Hypebeast.com
More to come soon! In the meantime, check out Hypebeast and Highsnobiety for more photos and a behind-the-scenes look at the products.
Coming soon: A hybrid between a vest and backpack, designed for Reebok FW 16.
Designed with the needs of the most elite obstacle course athletes in mind such as those running the Spartan Ultra Beast. To equip these inspiring athletes for the 26+ miles, 60 obstacles, and 12-14 hours of race time, this pack features:
strategically paneled two-way stretch cordura fabric and Black Cam cordura for the abrasion resistance
2 liter hydrapak bladder, magnetic drinking tube and R/L outlets for a customized hydration experience
plenty of easy-access stash pockets for storing food/fuel or gear
waterproof bonded pocket for race-ready electronics
soft, brushed fabrics next to skin for a chafe-free run experience
adjustable side-release with elasticity for easy breathing
The feature I am most proud of though is the easy refill system. Simply unclip at the sides and flip the bag front to pack for fast and easy access to hydration. Minimal construction and a streamlined user experience help to save time at water stations while giving tired hands a break from unnecessary actions and adjustments.
The project is a result of an intense research period, multiple prototypes, user testing and expert athlete feedback.
Make sure to check back soon for a full portfolio page and video of the Spartan Hybrid in action!
Another collaboration I was a part of was recently released: the Reebok x Garbstore Commuter Pack, a capsule we developed with the famed streetwear brand to address how the clothing you wear can affect the journey you have.
The Insta Pump technology was the inspiration and anchor for this entire product capsule and re-incarnates the Pump’s original usage. The Pump Commuter Jacket is the first piece of apparel to feature Reebok’s signature technology as a fully integrated element of its design. Intended (though not exclusively) for travelling, the jacket’s removable bladder can be inflated for neck or lumbar support, and can be stored away in its own neoprene case when not in use.
I am so excited to share the backpack I worked on for this project, where we tweaked one of our beloved iconic styles that uses our infamous Insta Pump technology to create the perfect compliment to this collection. We used the Insta Pump technology in the shoulder straps for a customizable comfort-focused ergonomic fit, as well as Cordura nylon for durability on your commute, subtle reflective hits, and luxurious suede and leather that hook back to the shoe. The Pump Backpack also boasts ample storage space with a drawcord top closure, internal slip pocket with padded back, and sealed seams.
Check out what Dropdate had to say about the project:
“Garbstore’s Ian Paley has teamed up with Reebok on several of the most boundary-pushing collaborations in recent memory. While much of the footwear world focuses its attention on innovations of the future, Paley has tended to look at re-interpreting the technology, functionality and vintage materials of the past, with a focus on revealing the unseen components of some of Reebok’s most iconic classics.”
— www.thedropdate.com
Head over to Garbstore to get your hands on some of these coveted pieces.
We are now well into Spring/Summer 17 and that means a new season of my designs for Reebok are hitting the market. I am most excited about the Elite Backpack and Convertible Duffle, both featured here.
Made with durable yet stylish Cordura fabric, these bags are designed for the athlete on the go. Large, breathable pockets for storage of sweaty gear, reflective details, brushed pockets for your phone, padded laptop pockets and water resistant zippers make sure you and your gear are taken care of all day long. From your commute to work to your workout (and everything in between), these bags have you covered!
Hypebeast recently shared a behind the scenes look at the Cottweiler for Reebok collaboration that debuted earlier this month at Pitti Uomo. The article provides a lot of great insight into the approach for this collaboration as well as the inspiration behind the FW17 capsule. Have a read and discover more from Cottweiler about the project concept, material usage and details.
Many of the shots include the accessories I worked on. You will see bags, caps and socks, all of which were designed with fabrics, executions and key details that tie back beautifully to the apparel and footwear. I am especially excited about the Memory Foam Holdall - a convertible backpack/duffle with a textural emboss that comes from the salt therapy inspiration for the entire project.
Image: Hypebeast
“The luggage is pretty important,” he says, picking up a backpack/holdall made from memory foam to show us. “This incorporates the entire collection – all of the fabrication, all of the detailing – it’s the concept piece for the accessories.”
— Ben Cottrell, as told to Jason Dike
For more information and images, visit Hypebeast.com
