The Belstaff x Sophnet. SS17 Collection is a Japanese Take on Western Heritage

The BELSTAFF X SOPHNET. SS17 CAPSULE COLLECTION reworks Belstaff’s most iconic heritage pieces with a sophisticated Japanese streetwear sensibility.

The word ‘heritage’ has caught a bad rap over the last few years, over-indulged by brands searching for narrative and all too often without genuine foundation. A surge in the interest of manufacturing provenance led many brands to relocate to local production, archive exploration became a go-to marketing tool, and an army of Red-Wing-boot-and-Barbour-jacket-wearing industry types lauded the ‘legacy’ of their denim over us like a poacher’s pouch of pheasants. However, when it comes to heritage, few can compete with Belstaff’s heavyweight status.

With motorcycling at the heart of the brand’s story since the turn of the 20th century, it’s refreshing to see a collaboration that attempts to do more than just co-brand a garment. In addition, Sophnet. are no slouch themselves in the relative stakes of streetwear heritage, with Hirofumi Kiyonga having spent the best part of two decades dedicated to the careful exploration of materials, details and functionality. With these shared values at the core of the collaboration, the capsule focuses in on reworking heritage silhouettes with more modern, lightweight materials.

Belstaff’s emblematic Roadmaster jackets are issued in two material iterations: one stays faithful to the traditional waxed cotton original, while the other is made of a heavyweight nylon and fleece blend, designed to offer a more comfortable, modern alternative. Alongside the Roadmaster, The ’70s café racer style Rebel jacket features a definitive asymmetric front zip closure, but is subtly updated by Kiyonga with the inclusion of a 100% Nylon outer shell. In addition, the Westbury parka retains original detailing such as the padded hood and insulation for active environments, but is also modernised by its water resistant nylon shell for increased wearability and durability. The capsule is completed by a selection of hoodies and two tonal colourways of the BXS Sneaker, and tied together by the restrained use of woodland camouflage in varying degrees throughout the capsule.

The BELSTAFF X SOPHNET. SS17 CAPSULE COLLECTION is AVAILABLE NOW. Take a look at some highlights of the range below, and click on the banners to shop the full offering directly with END.