Photo: @jasonjko
Model: @chrisrockemwell
Aloha kākou!
This Saturday, we continue our seasonal delivery with the next release from our A/W Tradewinds Collection. Our natural tradewinds are unique and special to our islands, evoking a welcoming and affectionate reaction when they breeze through. Frequently described as a “natural air conditioner,” we not only look forward to the trades for the cool climate it brings, but also as a signal of calm and pleasant weather for outdoor activities such as surfing, fishing, or boating, which all heavily depend on great weather conditions.
For visual inspiration, we look to the old Hawaiian olelo noʻeau (proverb): “Ke kupu, o ka ʻaina ua malie, ua au koaʻe,” which translates to “The natives of the land declare that the weather is calm when the tropic bird travels afar.” The koaʻe (tropic bird) thus became symbolic as a sign of great weather when soaring far out at sea. Throughout the collection, there are numerous references to the koaʻe, along with nautical elements and climate map imagery, to help strengthen the overall aesthetic vision.
Two new patterns were created based on a climate map of the Pacific Ocean—TRDWND_EARTHBLUE and TRDWND_BLACKNIGHT—showing the wind direction as it flows during the hoʻoilo (wet) season in Hawaiʻi. We’ve also put extensive focus and care into our cut & sew program, introducing new pieces throughout the collection that are geared toward highly technical construction through our new TropTech tier, as well as premium lifestyle construction through our new OutFitted tier. And as usual, all items from this A/W Tradewinds Collection are limited in size and quantity and will not be reproduced.
Hōʻailona Snapback
This brand new Hōʻailona (which translates to “symbol” or “omen” in Hawaiian) snapback showcases the iconic profile of the koaʻe (tropic bird) flying forward on both sides, outlined in white on a black base. The back features a white crest above a white snap enclosure, and to the right is our crown stitched above an “F” and the nautical signal flag that represents the letter “F” in a stylized tri-lock pattern. The Hōʻailona snapback also features red eyelets, white New Era logo, and green undervisor.
Tradewinds Umbrella
We’ve created a brand new umbrella to add to our accessories catalog, featuring high quality materials and construction to endure the elements. The 52" diameter canopy is made from 90% cotton/10% polyester pongee fabric which is known for its quick-dry, anti-tear characteristics, and features our new TRDWND_BLACKNIGHT pattern printed across the top along with our FITTED logo and crest on opposing sides. The Tradewinds Umbrella has a length of 40" when fully closed, and comes with a black protective cover with our logo printed in white. Additional features include fiberglass ribs and shaft, manual opening with safety release, and SENO rubber coated handle with retractable tip cup and pistol grip.
Koaʻe Tee – Black, Red, or Heather Grey
The Koaʻe tee complements the Hōʻailona snapback with its use of the koaʻe illustration on the back, which is filled with the TRDWND_BLACKNIGHT pattern. Below that are traditional nautical signal flags stylized with tri-locks. Each flag represents a letter, spelling out “FITTED.” The front of the tee features our updated crest sitting atop the latitude/longitude coordinates for a geographic area known as Kou in ancient Hawaiʻi, one of the original names for the city of Honolulu. Under that is the letter “F” next to the nautical flag that represents the letter “F.”
