New Zealand fashion brand Rodd & Gunn joined sports equipment brand Gilbert Rugby in making a rugby-inspired menswear collection for passionate rugby enthusiasts. The collaboration with Gilbert Rugby is an homage to the sport, which the Gilbert rugby ball has been used in professional rugby for 200 years.
The clothing items collection includes winter jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, cotton-blend knitwear, polo shirts, pleated trousers, and ‘Gilbert x Rodd & Gunn’ rugby balls. One of the standout items is the Lansdowne Road hoodie, which has colorful printed imagery from Rodd & Gunn and Gilbert’s archive. Another item that also standout from this collection is the Western Springs varsity jacket that comes in a yellow and black plaid pattern with ‘Rodd & Gunn X Gilbert’ badges on the interior. The collection is currently available for purchase.
Rugby-Inspired Menswear Collections
Rodd & Gunn Joins Gilbert Rugby Making Menswear Collection
Trend Themes
1. Rugby-inspired Menswear - The trend of creating rugby-inspired menswear collections is growing, demonstrating a desire to move beyond traditional sports merchandise and tap into a new market.
2. Collaborations Between Fashion and Sports Brands - Collaborations between fashion and sports brands are becoming more common, providing opportunities for both industries to broaden their reach and showcase their respective expertise.
3. Heritage and Nostalgia in Fashion - Fashion brands are tapping into heritage and nostalgia by incorporating elements from iconic sports equipment into their collections, creating a unique and memorable story for consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can benefit from collaborations with sports brands, providing an opportunity to tap into a new market and showcase their creativity in unique collections.
2. Sports Equipment - Sports equipment brands can expand their reach and appeal to a broader consumer base through collaborations with fashion brands that tap into the emotional connection people have with sports.
3. Retail - The retail industry can benefit from the trend of rugby-inspired menswear collections through partnerships with brands that provide exclusive merchandising opportunities that can attract new customers interested in limited-edition items.