This holiday season, Kith partners with storied outdoors brand Columbia Sportswear to bring back the Bugaboo Jacket in its original 1986 form. With “urban exploration” becoming a powerful movement in the realm of modern fashion, Kith seeks to pay homage to the trend's forefather. Originally designed as a vastly functional ski jacket, the Bugaboo Jacket ushered in a new aesthetic to the streets of New York in the late 1980’s – 1990’s, quickly becoming a staple item.
The Bugaboo Jacket’s innovation resides in Columbia’s patented 3-in-1 Interchange system, which was originally introduced by the brand in 1982. It was not until 1986 that this technology made its way into skiwear through the Bugaboo, and then subsequently into the public spotlight. Seeing layering as a mode of survival, the Bugaboo utilizes an interior fleece jacket for increased warmth, which then zippers into a waterproof outer shell. This new methodology offered three different jackets, all of which could be worn for different seasons, for the price of one jacket. Countering this amazing design concept with Columbia’s vibrant color palettes at the time became a recipe for success.
Now, almost two decades later, Kith has joined forces with the Portland-based pioneer to release the Bugaboo in its original design. The pattern and cut of the 1986 Bugaboo was unarchived and left unmodified in order to capture its classic fit. Kith applies a few minor alterations to modernize this outerwear piece, such as adding subtle co-branding details and two-way zipper closures. The Bugaboo Jacket is offered in three color variations: the original 1986 Blue/Pink combo, an all-new Slate/Salmon, and a Black/3M in classic Kith fashion.
In addition to the jackets, the duo also re-introduces the Bugaboo Hat and Gloves to the market, both of which incorporate 3-in-1 technology. The hat features a fleece liner and a nylon shell, both of which can be worn separately. The gloves include a liner with touchscreen enabled index fingers, and mitten shells. The three aforementioned colorways spill over to three Bugaboo Hats, while the Gloves are offered solely in a Black/3M colorway.
The Kith x Columbia Sportswear Bugaboo Collection releases this Saturday, December 12, at Kith Manhattan (644 Broadway), Kith Brooklyn (233 Flatbush Ave), and online at 11AM EST on KithNYC.com.
Photography: Nolan Persons
Styling: Mellany Sanchez
