REWORKED STYLES HAVE US BELIEVING “WHEN ONE’S PACK’S JOURNEY ENDS, ANOTHER ONE BEGINS.”
OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET S/S 09, SALT LAKE CITY, AUGUST 10th
Words, Images- Judith Ecochard
We still lug around our 15 year old leather trim/blue Cordura ® Jansport rump sack that we got years ago.
That’s how indestructible the carrier is-as we pack our life into it.
WHAT’S NEW:
Founded forty-one years ago by Skip Yowell, in the Summer of Love (1967)...Jansport® took the way back machine to re-visit some of the classic 60’s and 70’s styles that put the brand on the backs of hordes of outdoor dudes.
The new for Spring ‘09 “Heritage” series uses the original weathered nylon, seat belt straps, (the fav of every ski instructors worldwide), and vintage tag/logo that manages to look retro-cool not dated in designs like the Ski& Hike ($50), Nomad ($50) and Boomer ($40).
Already selling out at Urban Outfitter Stores is the “Captain America” style $55) that has the USA flag motif emblazoned on the huge outer pocket. Other flags (Union Jack, Rising Sun-Japan, O’Canada) are also popular…and all sport a hangtag with the history of the bag on it.
CRADLE-TO-CRADLE ECO ALERT:
We particularly liked the limited edition (300), one a kind “Reclaimed” series of knapsacks that are being funneled to upscale shops like LA’s Fred Segal. Apparently, boxes of old trim and patterns were gathering dust in a warehouse when the powers that be decided to reclaim the materials and let loose the creativity of the Everett, Washington State based seamstresses that stitch for Jansport.
The results are stylish-as the classic “Super Break” shaped bags, made from recycled packs that has been returned to the warranty center--- and can’t be repaired, are gleamed up with colorful graphics, original leather lashing squares and a signed by the ‘designer’ tag attached to the inner liner. There are three collections each for guys and gals.
LIFESTYLE OPTIONS:
A play for the younger types is set with the “Antics-Adrenaline” series that’s got “male driven” attributes as well as cool graphics. Details like padded laptop sleeves with Motorcross flourishes, back mesh panels (hey, guys and gals overheat), loads of inner pockets, and “caution” tags/key fobs-are just what urbanites need when hauling around office cargo or gym clothes.
INFO: JANSPORT®