The Origins and Steady Rise of Goldwin
Written by Ali George Hinkins
Since its inception in the 1950s, Goldwin has held onto its reputation as one of the OG’s when it comes to technical ski wear, having started in a small knit fabric factory, Tsuzawa Knit Fabric Factory. But, the real question is, how have they managed to hold onto such longevity? A long-lasting dedication to its function-first mantra is largely a contributing factor without losing sight of its roots: to design apparel that is durable and protective in any given environment, from wet, humid cities like Tokyo or the slopes of the Italian alps.
Goldwin began to gain notoriety in the 1960s when its knitted ski wear started appearing on slopes and mountains all over the world. At the time, they were solely manufacturing knitted ski-wear items such as gloves, sweaters, underwear, socks and other goods alike. Through some technical wizardry, the Japanese brand was able to apply a draping technique to the knit that contoured the body’s natural lines and created a functional elegance that had yet to be seen before, thus solidifying Goldwin’s long-lasting reputation as pioneers when it comes to functional clothing. No three-layer shell jackets or insulated down jackets, that would take a couple of decades to catch on, especially amongst the more fashion-conscious skiers who gravitated towards Goldwin.
As the brand continued to evolve, so did its designs, manufacturing methods and direction, branching off beyond just function-first products into more lifestyle-oriented apparel under the guise of ‘Lifestyle’ with a focus on, ‘City life with weekend getaway into nature.’ Whilst the functionalities remained more or less the same, it allowed Goldwin to experiment in different territories and with more adventurous silhouettes. From there, other lines began to open up including Athletic, C3fit and Outdoor, all of which carry the same Goldwin DNA.
Set to make its debut this season, Goldwin has further expanded its reach into the field of technical wear with a sharper focus on aesthetics through its 0 line, designed by Jean-Luc Ambridge Lavelle and Julia Rodowicz. Intent on acknowledging Goldwin’s roots in ski-wear whilst honouring traditional methods of craft, some of Rodowicz’s creations include knitwear made using 100% wool and a technology known as WholeGarment, a manufacturing method that facilitates the creation of entirely seamless products without waste. Further pushing the boundaries of technical fabric innovation include Jean-Luc’s use of Spiber’s Brewed Protein™ technologies in replace of synthetic materials on a fleece top, coordinating denim set and shell jacket/bottoms.
With ongoing support from This Thing of Ours, Goldwin has been able to firmly establish itself in the UK market where consumers are always hungry for transitional wares to see them between urban and rural settings.
As we forget warm, sunny days gone by, it's time to embrace the rainy and cold weather we’re accustomed to with Autumn/Winter, so I think that it’s safe to say that Goldwin’s latest delivery couldn’t have come sooner, featuring Ripstop Kodenshi Down Jackets, Stretch Fleece Balaclavas and Rip Stop Light Jackets, with other items like classic ski style beanies, Cordura pants, trail ready caps and insulating waffle t-shirts joining the mix.You can check the full selection out online and in store at This Thing Of Ours now.
