Inspired from decades past, O’Neill Originals collection will premiere full men’s line for Summer 2012
Irvine, Calif. (October 24, 2011)–-O’Neill, the original surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and founder’s immense legacy by introducing the Jack O’Neill Originals Collection, a new men’s apparel line that will be available for Summer 2012.
The collection includes graphic inspiration from the last six decades of O’Neill’s existence, including photo depictions of Jack and references to his first surf shop that opened in Northern California in 1952. Starting with men’s styles, Jack O’Neill Originals launches with
22 pieces consisting of tees, fleece, wovens, bottoms and boardshorts, with plans to expand the collection for Fall 2012. Items feature premium fabrications, with wovens starting at $70. The collection will ship to national retailers starting in March.
“What Jack has accomplished throughout his life is extraordinary, and gives this line an authenticity that cannot be manufactured in a conference room,” said O’Neill Clothing CEO, Toby Bost. “The Jack collection pays homage to the original waterman and someone who is a true pioneer in our industry.“
The Jack O’Neill Originals collection is targeted to an area of the market O’Neill recognized as being somewhat overlooked by the surf industry.
“As brands have been increasingly pressured to capture the attention of the youth, the gap between the young men’s market and what is considered ‘old guy surf’ has grown quite large,” said O’Neill Originals design director, Ronnie Reyes. “Customers have had to look outside of the surf market to satisfy their taste level. The Jack O’Neill Originals collection looks to bridge that gap with products that have a timeless style and appeal to more grown up sensibilities.”
Reyes was inspired directly from Jack and his spirit for innovation when he developed the collection.
“While designing the line, I kept a quote up on my wall from Jack that really fostered a feeling to do something new. The goal was to design a collection that was mature enough for someone in their 30’s, but kept the spirit of someone who continues to pursue a board riding lifestyle and remains youthful in body and spirit, which is exactly what Jack has been about his entire life.”
O’Neill is also celebrating Jack’s contribution to the surf industry with a new glossy biographical photo book, entitled ‘It’s Always Summer on the Inside,’ which is available now at www.shoponeill.com, and later in the year through Amazon. The book chronicles more than a half century’s worth of photos, from Jack inventing the wetsuit in the 1950s, to starting the O’Neill Sea Odyssey Foundation, which has educated young people about the importance of marine habitats and sealife conservation since 1996.
For more information about O’Neill athletes, events and apparel, visit www.oneill.com.
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About O’Neill
O’Neill, the original California surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world’s first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O’Neill’s core values – innovation in style and technology – have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world’s first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s progressive spirit will always drive the company forward. For more information, please visit www.oneill.com.
