HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, USA (Thursday, July 27, 2023) - Surfing culture meets European fashion in this exciting collaboration between the World Surf League (WSL) and iconic brands K-Way and PLAY Comme des Garçons. The collection features jackets specially designed for the upcoming Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, which takes place in Huntington Beach, California, from Saturday, July 29 to Sunday, August 6, 2023.
The collection launches with three versions of K-Way's Claude packable windbreaker, each featuring iconic designs from PLAY Comme des Garçons and the WSL's US Open of Surfing. The unisex jackets were created using breathable, rip-stop fabric that is wind-resistant and waterproof. The lightweight material is compact and takes up little space when folded, perfect for carrying in your bag or packing for travel. The designs feature an adjustable hood and elastic cords, providing both functionality and streetwear style.
"We are very proud to announce this partnership between PLAY Comme des Garçons, World Surf League, and K-Way. A project that allows us to work with two great friends of the brand mixing the best of the sports and the fashion worlds, the souls of K-Way," said Lorenzo Boglione, CEO of K-Way. "There's no better place to launch this collaboration than LA and the great Wallex US Open of Surfing, which also sees our Brand Ambassador Leonardo Fioravanti compete."
The primary colors of this collection offer retro nostalgia with a nod to SoCal lifestyle, paying homage to the long histories of both the US Open of Surfing and the K-Way brand. The notable PLAY hearts and K-Way logo grace the front of each jacket, while the WSL US Open of Surfing 2023 graphic is displayed on the back. Maintaining the clean lines and fit of modern fashion, surf fans and fashion lovers alike can appreciate these timeless and playful pieces.
"We are thrilled to partner with K-Way and PLAY Comme des Garçons on the Official Jacket of the US Open of Surfing. The quality of product and design is premium and fresh, and we know our fans will love these commemorative jackets. This is an exclusive, limited drop aligned with one of the biggest surfing festivals in the world. This is something we plan to do more of," said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer.
The special-edition Claude jackets were created in celebration of the Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico and are available for a limited time. The exclusive product can be purchased at Dover Street Market Los Angeles and on K-Way.com starting July 27th and at the WSL's US Open of Surfing Store in Huntington Beach beginning July 29th.
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning the World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world's best surfers on the world's best waves. The WSL is comprised of the Tours and Competition division, which oversees and operates more than 180 global competitions each year; Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), home of the world's largest high-performance, human-made wave; and WSL Studios, an independent producer of unscripted and scripted projects.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
About K-Way
K-Way® is a brand of BasicNet Group, which also owns the brands Kappa®, Robe di Kappa®, Jesus® Jeans, Superga®, Sabelt®, Briko® and Sebago®. BasicNet's leader brands are present in the sports and leisure apparel, footwear and accessories market. It operates worldwide through an international network of entrepreneurs, licensees of the brands, which produce or distribute the products. BasicNet offers to its network services of research, development, industrialization of the products and global marketing. All the company processes occur only through the Web, making BasicNet a "fully web-integrated company". BasicNet, with headquarters in Turin, Italy, is listed at the Italian Stock Exchange since 1999.
About Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons, translated as "like the boys" in French, brings avant-garde fashion into the mainstream with deconstructed looks, gender-bending styles, and asymmetrical cuts. Founded by designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969 in Tokyo, the brand debuted internationally with a subversive, monochromatic collection at Paris Fashion Week in the 1980s. Well-regarded for their highly conceptual collections in all-black, unfinished seams, and distressed fabrics, the brand has maintained its punk image throughout the decades.
Created with the brief ‘Design by No Design', the PLAY Comme des Garçons collection is comprised of wardrobe essentials. These perennials expand each season to include new graphic styles all featuring the heart with eyes emblem created by artist Filip Pagowski.