For the second year in a row, the Canadian Ski Brand ORAGE is nominated for the Global Sports Style Award held during the ISPO Trade Show in Munich, Germany. This European Award honors Sports style as a trend segment and is awarded by an international jury composed of fashion retailers from eight countries. The best brands and outfits of the winter season 2006/2007 will be evaluated according to criteria such as innovation and salability. As a participating brand, Orage qualifies for the Brand of the year award.

Orage is presenting styles from their Gallery division. This division is all about experimenting and pushing the limits of design. For the 2006 season, Isabel Lafortune, the Gallery designer, really went all out to change the paradigms of fabric weaving. The styles presented are the BYNG Asian inspired women’s jacket made of Flat cord in Hot Brown and the YORK checkers pattern men’s jacket made of poly-textured fabric in Dijon color.

The winners of the Global Sportstyle Award will be announced within the framework of the GQ Style Night on Tuesday, January 31st, at 6:00 pm. The selected collection pieces will be exhibited at both Orage Stands during the entire duration of the fair.

Q&A with Jeremy Bresnen, Head Designer, Orage.


What’s new in apparel for 2005-06?


This is a big question, for us it’s a bit of everything. Whether you’re looking at our new Capacity men’s division or trying on our completely revamped Gallery division, you’ll see that we’re building a collection that hopefully exceeds peoples perceptions of what ski outerwear can be.

Capacity- New mens collection. Solid colors with strong details. Inspired by both the streetwear market and classic outdoor garments. Clean and basic on the outside and detailed function on the inside. Allover interior print, I-pod/MP3 pockets, avalanche whistle/bottle opener/wax scraper, card pockets, hidden key pockets. All the functional details that make a day on the mountain a pleasure but can be worn out or to work without feeling out of place. A new 100% lightweight polyester Eclipse 10 fabric.

Gallery- This division is really a snapshot of where we think things can go. An experiment that works. The melding of fashion forward designs and waterproof breathable alternative fabrics. Gallery could easily find itself in high end boutiques in downtown Montreal or New York City. It all comes out of the mind of designer Isabel Lafortune and we’re really proud of the result.

Air Project- This is our first crack at a womans only division. We’ve had a lot of success in the past with our womans product and this season we decided it was time to step up. Air Project is sporty but feminine. Rich colors, well cut silhouettes, incredible details inside and out. Faux diamond shanks and snaps, Removable change purses, Interior spot prints and a little bit of street style thrown in for flare. The slick twill fabric is 10000mm and 10000g and all jackets come equipped with removable hoods and powder skirts for
Masters- This season Masters goes from the Mountain to the Jungle????? We really wanted this stuff to feel different. Masters has always been a team favorite and we wanted to make sure that we stayed ahead of the curve. Using the gatorape (A rare animal found only in South America) as the starting point we created tropical ski outerwear, Gatorape skin motif fabric, jungle print interior and colors taken straight out of the gatorapes native stomping grounds. The Cook down pant and jacket in the tweed fabric and the Gatorape print are definite team favorites.


Please include base layer, mid-layer and outerwear.


We’re very excited about our long underwear collection. Layering with a bit more style than you’re used to. Definite style. In layering we’ve continued with our bonded microfleece fabric. The Saffron jacket in the Air Project division is a definite must along with the Carson jacket in the Capacity division. For something on those colder days I’ve been wearing the Dive down insulator from the Rider’s Edge collection. Check the Primaloft insulators in The RE collection as well.
Finally for pure street fashion style mixed with on hill function, the Caster jacket in bonded herringbone


What key trends are you following?
Technologies? Fabrics? Silhouette? Colors? Features? Prices? Patterns, prints, etc.? Functions? Target market?


Our target market is people who ski. People who are proud to be skiing. People who believe that skiing is fun and creative. People who bring energy to our sport and market. These people ski but that’s just a part of their lives. We’re trying to tap into them. What they’re inspired by. That could be the jeans that one of athletes is wearing or the snap on a blazer that one of our friends rocks at a party. It could be the lack of something. A function we wish we had. The card pocket in our new Capacity jacket is a good example. I just didn’t want to hit the mountain with a wallet in my pocket anymore. Now I can empty out my wallet in the car and put all the cards in a safe place till the end of the day. Look, in a way everything has been done. Trends come and go so quickly and to an extent we just have to look at ways of reinventing those things to make skiing better.


What is your quintessential piece for next season? Why?


We have a big line. It’s kind of hard to pick just one. I’m a fan of the Triumph jacket in the Capacity collection, the Byng jacket in the Gallery collection and the Cook jacket in the Masters collection. I think those three sum up the line in a way. Diverse. But I could
What is the most dramatic apparel change since last year?

I guess just the realization that ski outerwear can be whatever we decide it to be. In the past I think there were definite rules as to what ski clothing was and what snowboard clothing was and what outdoor clothing was. I think we’re (As a company and hopefully as an industry) finally realizing that change is good and in fact that change is important if we want to keep people interested. The product has to function for it’s intended use but it has to look good, it has to inspire and it has to get the customer excited. That change in thinking makes all our jobs (But especially those of us who call ourselves designers) a lot more fun.


What is the must-have item/style for next year?


My must have item is the Dive jacket. It’s a down insulator in the Riders Edge collection. It’s the most comfortable piece of clothing ever. That’s my pick but honestly, take a look for yourselves. There is a lot of good stuff.


How are niches evolving? And how is apparel accommodating/defining them?


We see obvious growth from the freeski movement. It was once a niche but more and more it is affecting the mass (For lack of a better word) ski market. The Street wear and fashion influences are pretty undeniable at this point. It’s just a question of how we interpret them for the mountain.


What are the defining details of trendsetter style?


They step out. They’re willing to wear something that is uncommon. And they put it all together in a way that you and I might not be willing to. They add the right hat, the right beanie or belt. And then they have confidence. They own it. And then we want what they have.


What is happening with your women’s products?


Like I mentioned previously, we have always had a strong woman’s collection and this year it’s no different. Actually it’s better than it’s ever been. A dedicated woman’s division in Air Project. A concerted effort has been made for better fits, woman exclusive colors, prints, interiors and accessories. For the fashion minded, Gallery is on another level. It’s all really strong but my two favorites are the Byng jacket and the Iona jacket. LL Orage.


What are the most important accessories and what details make them new and cool?


Beanies. Not really new for us but this is the year people will take notice. It’s easily our best collection yet. Heavy knits, hand knits , different fits, Colors and styles that match up with our whole collection. Our largest offering to date.


How is apparel doing as a business?


Well, I can only speak for Orage but…. Great. We’re really excited about the potential of our brand.


What are the significant concerns for next season?


Uhmm, I don’t really have any. Things look good.