FEATURE|Brand-New OUTDOOR PRODUCTS Reborn with hip Melbourne creators.
Brand-New OUTDOOR PRODUCTS
Outdoor Products reborn with hip Melbourne creators.
Since its launch in 1973, Outdoor Products' classic series has been overwhelmingly popular in the casual bag scene, and now, after more than 40 years, the series has been expanded. The authentic look of the bags has been maintained, but the functionality has been greatly updated. In this issue, Huinamu presents a session of Outdoor Products bags with the creators of Melbourne, Australia, a hip city that has been on Huinamu's radar.
Photo_Takahiro Otsuji[go relax E more], Kazumasa Takeuchi(item)[STUH]
Case of Furniture craftsman For Vince the Furniture Craftsman
Vince Conboy His father was a furniture maker, and after training there, he started his own business, now in his fifth year. He is also the founder ofCENZO DESIGNA furniture designer with his own brand, "KARAKURI".
Northcote is located in the northern part of the "City", the heart of Melbourne. Originally a factory area, artists have been moving into this area in recent years. The reason, needless to say, is the rising rents in the central City. Gentrification (from wikipedeia) is a phenomenon that occurs everywhere in the world, in which a relatively rich population flows into a relatively poor lower-middle class area of a city due to redevelopment or the development of new industries, changing the economic, social, and demographic composition of the area. google map (Melbourne Northcote)
Vince Conboy, a furniture maker, has a studio in such an up-coming location. Despite his tattooed appearance, he has a kind smile and is the father of three daughters.
People in Melbourne wake up very early in the morning, and Vince said that he also wakes up at 6:00 a.m. It was early August when we interviewed Vince. It was mid-summer in Japan, or rather in the northern hemisphere, but in Austria, which is in the southern hemisphere, it was the height of winter! It was so cold that even his breath turned white, but Mr. Vince showed up. He usually rides his bicycle to the studio, where he works, but these days he often commutes by car. No matter which way he commutes, he always has his "Outdoor Products" bag by his side.
Basic Daypack ¥5,800+TAX
The "Basic Daypack" is an iconic product of the brand. The evergreen design is familiar to men and women of all ages. It is no exaggeration to say that Outdoor Products created the image of this shape when it comes to daypacks.
."Outdoor Products' bags are very useful because they go with all kinds of fashions. I always wear a casual style, so a daypack like this is the easiest to carry. There are pockets inside to organize my things, so I don't have to worry about anything. I especially like the color. Isn't it cute? (Laughs)"
Vince also mentioned the small accessory pocket in the front pocket as one of his favorite features. Outdoor Products' standard series has stubbornly followed the specifications created in the 1970s. We have been working on technical details outside of the standard series to accommodate the diversification of gadgets and other items, but now we have decided to develop a new collection of contemporary standard items in addition to the standard series that has been around for more than 40 years.
Nowadays, a PC sleeve is a must-have detail for daypacks. The classic series has certainly evolved, adding today's details to the classic look.
The coloring, which has continued for 40 years, is being revamped at this time. Vince is using a vibrant red. The use of such a pop color by a strong man with a beard and tattoos makes the color stand out even more.
Incidentally, most of Vince's products are made to order. On this particular day, he was making a chair with soft curves reminiscent of Scandinavian design. It is truly modern and delicate.
He usually works mainly on furniture for daily use, such as chairs and tables. As mentioned earlier, he often has the opportunity to transport equipment and materials, and often drives from his home to the studio. On such occasions, he uses a "hip bag" made by Outdoor Products.
Hip Bag ¥4,800+TAX
This is enough for a wallet, keys, smartphone, notebook, and other small items that are not bulky. It may be perfect when traveling by car.
."Like the Day Pack, there is a small accessory pocket inside the main body. This is a sure detail that clearly shows how it will be used.
There is also a side pocket that can really hold a few things.
A daypack may seem like a bag for kids, but as you can see, it looks great even on an older man. It's true that it has a wide range of uses. I think it would be very cute if you used it when you were young, when you were my age, and even when you were my grandfather's age," he says.
Case of Craft Artist For Craft Artist Alisa
Left: Aliça Rose Haynes Alisa creates works with a folky world view using a variety of materials, from ceramic to clay ( clay ). She often exhibits at markets held in the Melbourne area. Next to her is her partner, Antony Tibbs. He is an English teacher.
The next creator was craft artist Alisa Rose Haynes. I had the pleasure of interviewing her with her partner, teacher Antony Tibbs. They have been living in Australia for five years and live in Thornbury, an area where many hipsters gather. google map (Thornbury, Melbourne)
The interview took place at the one-story home where they live. It has a classic interior and exterior, filled with tasteful decor and furnishings, and is outstandingly stylish in every way!
Alisa creates a variety of products by hand, and her worldview seems to permeate every corner of the house. Since her workshop is located inside the house, we were able to take a quick peek at the actual production process.
."I have a workroom in my house and I only want to put things I like in it. I like everything from tables, chairs, sofas, and props. The "Travel Shoulder" from Outdoor Products is very convenient for going out for a short trip. I also like the light yellow color.
Travel Shoulder ¥4,800+TAX
."As the name "Travel Shoulder" suggests, this is a very useful sub-bag for traveling. It is a little larger in size than the trendy "sakosh," making it easy to use. The feminine yellow color is Alisa's favorite.
The yellow "Outdoor Products" brand blended seamlessly into the space, which seemed to express Alisa's natural and folky character.
A pocket for small items inside the main body, which can be said to be a promise.
The front pocket under the flap is also surprisingly convenient. It's an update that really scratches an itch.
Ant-thony, who uses the blue "Utility Pack" with his favorite bike, snapped this photo. It's a classic looking bag with three layers of functionality," he said. It's a very complete bag.
Utility Pack ¥8,800+TAX
The "Utility Pack" is an ultra-functional daypack with the look of an authentic daypack and a three-compartment structure. The 3D mesh on the back provides excellent carrying comfort. The capacity is 21 liters.
Here is a top view of the three-compartment structure, which boasts ample storage capacity.
Padded PC sleeve and small pockets are the default in modern daypacks.
They lead a relaxed life together, taking care of their cute cat. Alisa's parents are British and she herself was born in Australia. Antony's mother is Greek and his father is English, and he was born in Greece, making their relationship a bit complicated. Her parents are friends and have known each other for a long time. They both have a desire to live in other countries, but "Melbourne is too comfortable for us to move there. Food, arts, and crafts are all wonderful in Melbourne. They have probably seen many cities in the world, so they must be right.
In Japan, it is just beginning to be known as a tourist destination, but the other day,Direct flights from Narita Airport to Melbournehas started its service. As it gets colder in Japan, it will be closer to summer "over there". From a Finamese point of view, I highly recommend Melbourne.
From left to right: "Travel Sholder" (yellow) ¥4,800+TAX, "Basic 2 Tone Daypack" (green) ¥6,800+TAX, "Hip Bag" (orange) ¥4,800+TAX, "Basic Daypack" (blue) ¥5,800 ¥5,800+TAX, "Utility Pack" (brown) ¥8,800+TAX, "Roll Boston" (gray) ¥4,800+TAX
Here are six of the nine renewed models. This series is made of custom-made Cordura polyester, a fabric that is both taut and light, and is available in 10 colors to match contemporary fashions. While the specifications have been updated as introduced so far, the weight has remained virtually unchanged. This is a seamless renewal that is likely to remain unchanged for decades to come.