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OutDoor paints in bold colours

It has only been five years since the first collection of outdoor outerwear in bold colours came on the market. Now, it’s almost impossible to imagine the outdoor industry without these eye-catching colours. Producers devote considerable effort to developing names for exotic colours, whether they are fruity pink, setting sun, fairytale green, bloody red or ice blue. At the 20th edition of the OutDoor trade fair, taking place in Friedrichshafen from 11-14 July, over 900 exhibitors from 42 countries, including the market leaders, will present their colourful products and developments.

8th July 2013

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Friedrichshafen

Sports/​Outdoor, Protective, Clothing/​Footwear

It has only been five years since the first collection of outdoor outerwear in bold colours came on the market. Now, it’s almost impossible to imagine the outdoor industry without these eye-catching colours. Producers devote considerable effort to developing names for exotic colours, whether they are fruity pink, setting sun, fairytale green, bloody red or ice blue.

At the 20th edition of the OutDoor trade fair, taking place in Friedrichshafen from 11-14 July, over 900 exhibitors from 42 countries, including the market leaders, will present their colourful products and developments.

Why so bright?

A Norwegian brand Norrona, specialising in outdoor clothing and sports gear, showed some colour in its range of products back in 2008, when it introduced jackets, pants and vests in striking colours like orange, pink and yellow with colour-contrasting zippers.

The dominant tones in the new Norrona summer 2014 collection for women include deep pinks, as well as a bright green. © OutDoor

The brand started a trend that still dominates the market. Most outdoor companies have since taken the same approach as Norrona and opted for lively tones.

“Colour intensity has an important safety aspect in the mountains – from the air it’s much easier to find someone in a colourful jacket than someone wearing camouflage colours”, explained Lena Helmreich, PR spokeswoman for Norrona.

Rich and vivid

The dominant tones in the new Norrona summer 2014 collection for women, which will be presented at the OutDoor, include deep pinks, which go by the illustrative names ‘setting sun’ and ‘graffiti pink’, as well as a bright green, named ‘bamboo green’.

At the 20th edition of the OutDoor trade fair over 900 exhibitors from 42 countries will present their colourful products. © OutDoor

As a contrast colour for details like zippers, Norrona uses cool blue tones like ‘ice blue’ as well as powerful reds with names like ‘tasty red’ and ‘lava’ orange. The latter colour can also be found in the men’s collection, as can the red and blue tones. Accents in the men’s collections are provided by details in dark, ‘deep purple’.

Multi-coloured

Italy’s Salewa is drawing attention with its new climbing collection in trendy colours. “It’s clothing which is up to every challenge out in the field, but at the same time has a relaxed look”, says designer Lisa Sinegger, suggesting that the pants, jackets, t-shirts and tops can be easily worn by men and women in their free time.

This is complemented by a fresh colour concept with sunny yellow, deep poppy red and glowing orange. “And for women, pink in all its variations is here to stay”, says PR spokeswoman Ariane Maria Malfertheiner. Multi-coloured prints and graphic patterns are also eye-catchers.

Here to stay

At Marmot, from the Bavarian town of Schnaittach, the bright colours of the rainbow have also been on offer for a long time, although the focus is on tops like jackets, vests, sweaters and shirts, according to Sarah Seeger, PR spokeswoman.

A vibrant mix of colours is also apparent at The North Face. Like at Norrona, bright, eye-popping colours tend to dominate. “Especially the women’s collection includes bright yellow on the one hand and different shades of blue, like lavender, marine blue, turquoise and water blue on the other” explains Nicole Trojer, PR spokeswoman for The North Face.

www.outdoor-show.com

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