One of the most important things when starting with a new collection is to think of things that surprise and delight our Clients. This season I decided to introduce a capsule designed for guys who enjoy the feeling of elevated style to extend to their workout gear. Our sport capsule is a grouping of some very stylish and unique pieces that, I believe, will add a new level to a part of the wardrobe that we haven’t really ventured into until now at J.Hilburn. With all the performance fabrics we offer, the great tech details and fantastic styling options, it is pretty straightforward for us to build pieces that speak to a sporty lifestyle.
I was inspired thinking of the status of modern sport and the well-paid sportsmen of Formula 1, soccer, football, and those sports icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, Lewis Hamilton, Roger Federer, et cetera, who have established a sense of style and self-branding that goes well beyond their red carpet moments. I have also been enjoying some evening TV with Ted Lasso where charming British soccer meets American coaching, making for an original, funny storyline.
I love this excuse to showcase what we can create with a bit of imagination in our custom-made world, and outfit our star Clients for moments in exceptional gear that is unlike anything else out there. We add to that the status of being “brandless” — without global logos or free sponsorship, unless of course the Client opts for his own monogramming — which we are more than happy to accommodate. How stylish is wearing your own initials rather than that of some pedestrian brand?
The tech poly knit is great next to your skin as a fabric that wicks and breathes for workout cool, and is appropriate for short and long sleeve styles. The new Brook and Leaf are two fall shades that work back perfectly to fall greys and naturals. I particularly like the optical effect against the black of the performance and 4-way stretch fabrics in pants and pull-on shorts. Starting with a chino, I added the comfort waistband and the jogger hem options to create a pretty cool pant that will perform perfectly during your reps on a workout bench at the gym, and on the seat of your car as you sip your energy smoothie post-workout.
Our fall outerwear collection layers so effortlessly to this look, featuring a range of styles from our vest options, including the new puffer style and the puffer jacket itself, which we introduced as a custom-made outerwear style last year. We added to our town and field jackets the option of fleece lining, which adds literally another layer of tech warmth for those chilling mornings on the way to the gym. All this comes with minor additional expense, remembering that included in our exceptional pricing is a perfected fit that will show off your best side in clothes that actually fit YOU, rather than swathing you in baggy, shapeless, off-the-peg sameness.
I was recently a guest here in Dallas at the Cowboys Club at The Star in Frisco. Whilst alas, I am not personally drawn to team sports, I was truly a fan of the dark, sleek atmosphere of the rooms with exceptional discreet service, including no phones or photos, reminding me of Soho House and other posh clubs. Not a stretch to imagine the patrons enjoying the benefits of J.Hilburn — particularly in the gym off the lobby, wearing our sports gear designed for even the most exceptional athletes.
