Goldwin, The Rise of the Technical Japanese Powerhouse

Written by Ali George Hinkins

Goldwin has established itself at the forefront of Japan’s booming technical apparel scene thanks to a long-lasting dedication to its function-first mantra without losing sight of its roots: to design durable and protective apparel in any given environment, from wet, humid cities like Tokyo or the slopes of the Italian Alps. But, as the landscape of technical clothing has changed, Goldwin has acknowledged that it must adapt in tandem.  

Goldwin’s name on native soil resembles that of a heritage brand, but in recent years it has been attracting attention from outside of Japan, specifically in the UK and Europe, for all the right reasons. In conjunction with the aforementioned, Goldwin has doubled its collaborative efforts in recent times, partnering with external influences who are helping to grow the label outside of its home country and aiding the brand in pushing the boundaries of technical innovation. 

During Paris Fashion Week, This Thing of Ours caught a glimpse of what is to come later in the year from Goldwin and it was some of the most exciting out of all the brands they saw. From the continued evolution of their 0 line, an experimental and technical sub-label, to collaborations with _J.L-A.L_ - marking a celebratory full-circle moment for the young designer and his namesake label - and OAMC, recognised for its elegant timelessness, Goldwin is making it clear that while their expertise is rooted in functional design, that functionality can take on any form, from a 3L shell jacket made using Spiber’s Brewed Protein to an elevated pair of everyday bottoms. 

Goldwin 0, which was teased in early 2022 and released later that year, captured a new side of the Goldwin pyramid, establishing Goldwin’s presence elsewhere; an area defined by expertly crafted technical clothing that utilises industry-leading fabrics. While familiar, the silhouettes are specially constructed and tailored to Goldwin 0, so it is far from a simple cut and paste. This Thing of Ours had been a stockist of Goldwin’s mainline collection for many seasons before it began carrying the 0 line in 2023 which was a success among those looking for forward-thinking technical products, marrying Goldwin’s DNA with versatile silhouettes. 

Through its external collaborations, Goldwin and its partners are reinventing our notions of what technical clothing should look like and perform. Championing technical designs in their own right, _J.L-A.L_ and OAMC are two of Goldwin’s partners for Autumn/Winter ‘24, bringing their aesthetic and expertise to the table. 

Working with a familiar partner in _J.L-A.L_ who was fundamental in shaping the design language of Goldwin 0, the pair are collaborating for Autumn/Winter ‘24 for the first time. The result is three pieces within _J.L-A.L_’s broader collection that consists of a jacket and trouser suit made using GORE-TEX Pro and paired with a matching jersey crewneck which optimises Goldwin’s technical know-how with _J.L-A.L_’s signature and complex pattern cutting. The garments are both beguiling in their looks but possess the necessary functionality for inclement weather. 

Rounding off the season’s collaborations is a debut project with OAMC, a label that balances modern aesthetics with innovative techniques, backed up by decades of industry expertise between its founders, Luke Meier and Arnaud Faeh. OAMC and Goldwin have crafted an exceptional capsule collection that seamlessly merges the best of both worlds: minimalist design with technical prowess. Reimagined timeless outerwear silhouettes, enhanced with highly functional materials that prioritise performance without compromising style. It’s hard to ask for much more than that. Each piece in the collection is meticulously designed to be worn daily, offering reliability against any weather conditions that may arise. 

As I’ve outlined, there’s plenty to look forward to later in the year from Goldwin so best believe that This Thing of Ours will be there to champion it. 

Explore This Thing of Ours’ selection of Goldwin pieces via its online and Manchester store.

Address:
9a Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1AE