Inspiration
The Griffin mix becomes ever more imminent in the spring/summer 10 collection, 19 years ago we began mixing fashion and sportswear for a new consumer, the street connoisseur. Today this is still at the core of our philosophy using this mix, we merge it with influences from our travels and lifestyle to inspire the collection. Griffin’s core style is the mix, from mountain climbing with Berghaus, to traditional rainwear with Mackintosh, from the street to Parkour to the Country and the mountain biking festival where riders became the season’s models. In the time of a recession we looked at the positives, opting for a summer of many local holidays including the summer Solstice at Stonehenge where 30,000 people gathered at the stones, then there was Glastonbury festival, followed by a trip to channel 4 eco guru Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall\'s River Cottage, along with a course on how to keep rare breeds and a giant three week camping holiday along the Jurassic and North Devon coasts of England. With work taking the team to Shanghai, Japan, NYC and Portland we took the opportunity to enjoy what we had locally and create an Eco retreat.
The collection results in an interesting mix of military and sportswear from our annual visit to the war and peace exhibition to an athletic summer of cycling and camping. We create a collection to suit this dynamic lifestyle opting for natural traditional fibres, Dry Wax Canvas Cottons, summer lightweight corduroys, to classic Italian camouflage linens. We have selected core iconic Griffin styles from past collections, including Bladecut garments, USMC pants and reversible jackets. Still holding tight to the Griffin mix of tradition vs. technology , function vs. fashion, high tech nylons are printed in complex camouflages accentuated with fluorescent orange trims. The result is the ultimate Griffin urban vs. country mix.
Manufacturing
Since the label began over 15 years ago we have been manufacturing the collection in the best Italian factories. Having trained in Italy, Jeff continues to support Italian manufacturing; this is because of the quality and skills of the factories and fabric mills. Based in the valleys of the Alps, the factory and it’s employees carry a passion that is very Italian they are great at what they do and proud of the garments they produce. As well as the Griffin brand the factory also manufactures many luxury brands including Prada, Dries Van Notten, Dior and Armani. Where possible we maximise the skills available within the UK, working with factories such as original sportswear brand Gymphlex for our 100% cotton interlock jerseys, and Baracuta for our G9 collaboration jackets, all part of our Made in England range. Although price is important our ethical morals and beliefs come first, which is why we are asking our customers to invest in quality clothing, disposable clothing doesn’t help anyone.