Ski Press World Inc. - Index

Ski Press World Inc. - SIA Day 2 - Index

SNOWPRESS INAUGURATES ANNUAL INNOVATION AWARDS
HONORING THE BEST INNOVATIONS IN THE SNOWSPORTS INDUSTRY FOR THE 2008/2009 SEASON.
SIA is a show of discovery. The innovation and inspiration unveiled here each year often becomes news for the entire active world. The way Gore-Tex changed the very
language of apparel, the way shaped skis opened Alaska, and the way snowboarding has become the action-sports equivalent of rock-and-roll — the products on display at
Mandalay Bay represent a unique coalescence of science, sport and culture.
Too often these boots and bindings, skis and snowboards, goggles and glasses, parkas and pants are seen merely as merchandise, SKUs or gear, rather than as the works of
imagination and perspiration — of art — they really are.
At the SnowPress Show Daily, we decided to change that. Culling from our countless hours of trend-spotting, hot-product reporting, retail researching and pre-show interviewing,
our editors hit the show in search of the most innovative products of the year. In the categories of Culture, Sexy, Skill and Smart, we present our choices for the SnowPress
Innovation Awards of the SIA.08 show.
SNOWPRESS INNOVATION AWARDS: SEXY
From the stretch pant to the ski lodge, sunglasses to the softly rounded, aerodynamic shape of a snowboard, snowsports have always celebrated an exceptionally sexy
aesthetic of freedom, fi t and form. Whether it’s sleek goggles, fl ower-covered skis or that especially fl attering, butt-hugging pair of pants, a lot of the allure of snowsports starts
with lookin’ good! From movie stars to stockbrokers, accountants to astronauts, people come to the mountains for a life above. Here are our editors’ picks for the hardgoods,
softgoods and accessories that accentuate their time above the clouds.
686…
Sew Money
Ladies know nothing’s sexier
than money. 686 sewed 798
dollar bills and some Chinese
Yen together to construct this
showpiece jacket. Along with
a jacket made of fl ags and one
of Lego, the Money Jacket is
intended to illustrate renewal
and reuse. Four sewers in China’s
IGD factory spent 10 days
carefully attaching the bills to
686 A.C.C jacket. Though
it was made for display, it’s
actually fully functional, with
working pockets, zippers,
Velcro and hood. “You could
ride in it,” says Kristen Cusic,
686’s Director of Marketing,
“As long as you don’t fall.”
— SUSAN SCHNIER
50 SNOWPRESS DAY 2 skipressworld.com/snowpress
Burton Love
Burton collaborated with Playboy to craft
this new collection in the Coalition line.
The boardmaker turned pro riders Keegan
Valaika and Mikkel Bang loose on the famed
skin rag’s archives and they chose their
favorite classic pinups and centerfolds. The
results? Sandy Johnson, Miss June ’74, on
the 52; Carol Vitale, Miss July ’74, on the
55; Cheryl Bachman, Miss October ’91, on
the 58; and Teri Peterson, Miss July 1980
on the 62. And of course, the bottom of
each board features — a lovely bottom. To
those who may think it’s sexist, we offer up
the immortal words of Nigel Tufnel, “What’s
wrong with being sexy?”
— DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN
Yellow Man’s Tattooed Baselayers
Grrrr like a tiger in this new line from New York’s Yellow Man, which adorns highperformance
baselayers with wearable artwork inked by the world’s greatest tattoo
masters. The result: vivid art — collected the world over by owner Peter Mui — that falls
on the body right where the original tattoo artist intended, bringing wearers’ sensuous
curves to life. Meow. — EUGENE BUCHANAN
Orage Kina Jacket/
Mimosa Pant
Made of seductive, white all-weather
linen with frayed highlights, this limited
edition jacket and pant combo exudes
sex appeal. And what’s even sexier is
that it’s built to perform on the hill. The
seam-sealed waterproof/breathable jacket
features a removable powder skirt and
insulated satin liner, making it just as fashionable
on the hill as it is during après.
Check it out soon — the limited run of
300 won’t be around for long. — DS
K2 Affair Axis, Auto
Agogo and Mix
Have an affair of your own with this sultry
package from K2, including the Auto Agogo
binding ($229), Affair Axis boot ($199) and
Mix board ($439), which Gretchen Bleiler
used to win this year’s SuperPipe event at
the X Games. Part of K2’s Progression line,
the centered-twin freestyle board comes in
four sizes and two background colors (black
or white). But it’s the boot and binding’s
almost gaudy costume-jewelry theme from
New York designer Claw Money that sets
the package apart… with patent leather
and satin accenting brass-colored buckles
and miniature faux belts. — EB
VOLVO — OFFICIAL CAR OF