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Woolrich A/W 2014: The Art of Form and Function

The creator of iconic outerwear, Woolrich John Rich & Bros has crafted a contemporary A/W14 line for men and women. Here, utilitarian styling in a modern colour palette combine with the meticulous attention to detail for which the brand is known. Celebrated Italian photographer Paolo Ventura has cast the pieces as central characters in an enchanting three-part campaign – the latest in Woolrich’s series of artistic collaborations

Illustrated snow scene, grey snowy sky and white mountainous background, two female models wearing winter wear, coat and hats, both with an arm out with a small bird perched on their hands

3836956105001 Photographer Paolo Ventura and creative director Andrea Canè discuss the inspiration behind the Woolrich A/W 2014 shoot

(Image credit: Paolo Ventura)

By Jack Moss

last updated 5 September 2022

in Features

Innovation. Simplicity. Durability. These are the terms that speak of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros brand. Take its iconic parkas: winter essentials that have achieved legendary status for their understated styling that fuses fashion with functionality. These are durable pieces that look as good in the city as they do in the snow.

Founded in 1830, Woolrich draws on a vast archive that informs its modern designs. This rich history is rooted in the clothing needs of the American pioneers, who required garments built to withstand extreme climatic conditions. Form followed function, and the effortless style that continues to characterise the brand’s outerwear, separates and accessories was born.

The Woolrich commitment to quality remains unchanged after more than 180 years. It’s the reason that the brand’s ‘icons’, including the ‘Eskimo’, the ‘Blizzard’ and the famous ‘Arctic Parka’, have earned cult status. For A/W14, these styles are subtly updated with a fresh colour palette and utilitarian detailing. For men, navy, graphite and olive offer an on-trend twist to classic outerwear. Styled with the brand’s chinos, soft cotton shirting and textured knits, the result is a modern off-duty look. For women, outer layers come in winter white, navy and olive, which feel fresh when paired with pops of plaid and hits of colour. Both lines offer an artistic expression of timeless Woolrich styling.

This creative mood is showcased in the A/W14 campaign, produced in collaboration with photographer Paolo Ventura. The Italian-born photographer is renowned for his distinctive, dream-like works that juxtapose fantasy and reality. Ventura contrasts Woolrich-clad models against his hallmark enchanting backgrounds – a fusion of photography, painting and theatre.

Ventura’s new story for Woolrich was shot in three parts. The first chapter, entitled The Villa Wall, evokes the spirit of the collection items fit for autumn. The Magic Mountain brings winter garments into sharp focus against a snowy landscape where durability and technical detailing come into play. Finally, The Theatre of Objects is set against one of Ventura’s bold-painted interior sets. Iconic pieces are cast as the main actors in the brand’s story.

All these looks are showcased on the Woolrich online flagship store. Here, you can view the new campaign and find your favourite looks. It’s a simple way to shop the entire Woolrich range and have your choices delivered direct to your door. With a range of delivery options available to 100 countries, it couldn’t be easier to stay cosy and stylish this season.

Visit woolrich.eu and follow the hashtag #Woolrichart

Left: Male and female models in winter wear holding small suitcases, illustrated winter scene, tree, wall, gates and road, wooden floor. Right: Camera man taking images, illustrated winter scene, tree, wall, gates and road, wooden floor with a blackbird sat at the mans feet — Woolrich A/W 2014

Left: Female model in a winter coat with hood up, hands in pockets, illustrated mountainous winter scene backdrop, white wooden floor. Right: Side shot of a male and female model in winter wear, looking into the distance, man pointing, illustrated mountainous winter scene backdrop, white wooden floor — Woolrich A/W 2014

Left: Illustrated snow scene, grey snowy sky and white mountainous background, two female models wearing winter wear, coat and hats, both with an arm out with a small bird perched on their hands. Right: Female model, winter wear, wooden cane over her shoulder holding a grey handbag, Illustrated snow scene, grey snowy sky and white mountainous background — Woolrich A/W 2014

Left: Illustrated snow scene, grey snowy sky and white mountainous background, white wooden floor, male model in winter wear, looking through binoculars and holding a wooden cane, blackbird sat at his feet. Right: Illustrated snow scene, grey snowy sky and white mountainous background, white wooden floor, side view of a female model, holding a grey handbag — Woolrich A/W 2014

Illustrated grey backdrop with red tied back curtains, colourful lights, wooden floor. Left: two female models in winter wear, one holding a bird and top hat, the other holding apples. Right: Male model holding a duck, duck sat in an open suitcase on top of a small set of wooden steps, top hat on the floor — Woolrich A/W 2014

Illustrated grey backdrop with red tied back curtains, colourful lights, wooden floor. Left: female model wearing winter wear, top hat holding a duck. Right: Two female models in winter wear, one holding a sword over her shoulder the other holding a brass trumpet — Woolrich A/W 2014,

Jack Moss is the Fashion Features Editor at Wallpaper*, joining the team in 2022. Having previously been the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 and 10 Men magazines, he has also contributed to titles including i-D, Dazed, 10 Magazine, Mr Porter’s The Journal and more, while also featuring in Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.

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