Sandro x Helly Hansen
One of Ape’s choice men’s style brands, Paris-based Sandro have collaborated with outerwear specialists Helly Hansen. The latter – founded almost 150 years ago and headquartered in Oslo, Norway – is known for its ocean and mountain wear.
We wouldn’t like to say the brand lost its way, but Helly Hansen did suffer from association with specific groups, particularly football hooligans (much like Burberry). However, those in the known recognise that in its specific niche it has always been highly regarded when it comes technical wear. There was a revival in the mid-90s when some of the worlds’ most iconic rappers and R&B artists claimed it as their own. Helly Hansen could be seen on the backs of members of Redman, Brand Nubian, or NTM, from Manchester to New York. And in Paris, Joey Starr and Kool Shen made headline adorned in the brand’s famous puffer jackets.
Fast-forward to 2018, Sandro Homme have played with references from the 1990s in its collaboration with Helly Hansen. Items ever-present in Helly Hansen’s collections. Iconic pieces if you will. The contrast in the Norwegian brands legacy items married with the Sandro Homme’s lauded urban and minimalist aesthetic is a sight to behold.
There are sailing and puffer jackets, sweatshirts, t-shirts and duffle bags. All feature Helly Hansen’s technical ability, but with an old-school aesthetic. Sandro have taken these impermeable, breathable, often double-layer technical fabrics such as a sailing jacket and windbreaker and given them a street-ready makeover. Available in camel, navy or black – Sandro have reimagined Helly Hansen’s iconic jackets in some fine colourways, including the aforementioned and a red tartan print for the bold amongst you.
Perhaps most iconic: the brand’s puffer jacket. Available in one side black plunged lambskin, and the other in waterproof nylon, it’s a legitimate alternative to the likes of Moncler and The North Face. Additionally, there is a duffle bag in black grained leather, branded with the black Helly Hansen logo and embellished with the silver hardware. Rounding out the collection are round-neck sweaters, hoodies and cotton T-shirts in navy, red white or mottled grey – all featuring the Norwegian flag, and the codes of vintage hip-hop. Did Sandro and Helly Hansen just become “street”, again?
