Surf’s up with O’Neill this Summer since the sports brand has just turned 60 years and the iconic founder Jack O’neill is celebrated in multiple ways. With humble beginnings back in 1952 the Santa-Cruz based surf label has blossomed into an international brand that even touches on the actual fashion scene.
The celebration started with a global art tour on March 15th in Sydney that will travel through Asia, North-America and luckily Europe that will display some amazing portraits of Jack O’Neill by a.o. Thomas Campbell, Manuela Strano and Tim Chapman. Also a hefty book by graphic studio Yazoka captures the rich history of the brand and ist founder who invented the wetsuit, breaking grounds by using the neoprene material.
You might not fully realise, but the sports trend is huge on the fashion stage for SS2012 ranging from Stella McCartney’s collection to wetsuit inspired creations, using neoprene, by the likes of Derek Lam and Alexander Wang. All the while the chore of the brand remains adventurous, free spirited and like a diamond that will always be in the rough.
Text > Kaira van Wijk
