On March 26, 2017, Designer Todd Snyder and legendary surf brand Birdwell Britches announced their first co-branded collection – an exclusive capsule comprised of board shorts, jacket, towel, tote, graphic tee and snapback caps. This collaboration between the New York menswear purveyor and the iconic Santa Ana-based maker of hand cut-and-sewn goods represents a convergence of East Coast and West Coast, fusing tailored elements with Californian ease. Born in the surf and updated for a modern cosmopolitan lifestyle, Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder offers a fresh take on surf style that’s rooted in heritage and purpose-driven craftsmanship.
“I’ve bene wearing Birdwells since the 1990’s and they’re my favorite surf shorts,” says Snyder. “I’ve been wanting to do something together for awhile. When I went out to meet them in Southern California, I immediately sensed how cool they are, how genuine their mission is and how committed they are to preserving the origins of the brand.”
Says Geoff Clawson, President of Birdwell Beach Britches, “There’s a real affinity between Todd’s love of authentic American-made products and Birdwell’s 55-year legacy of a purpose-built design ethos. WE share a commitment to craftsmanship, quality and timeless design, and that’s what makes this collaboration such a natural fit.”
Birdwell has been making its coveted, timeless board shorts and other items since 1961, all by hand and all in the USA. Each pair of trunks is constructed from two layers of highly durable SurfNyl – a proprietary, naturally water repellant Nylon with a triple lace closure button fly, adjustable waist tab closure, key loop and packet drain hole and clean finish with double and triple-stitched seams. The new Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder shorts sport a classic Birdwell fit in exclusive styles and colorways and feature a contrast wax back pocket, TS patch and co-branded label featuring Birdie, the Birdwell mascot.
Says Birdwell Creative Director, Natas Kaupas, “We take the same approach to our surf shorts that Todd takes to a great pair of denim or the perfect leather jacket – these pieces are built to last, designed to break in beautifully and actually get better over time.”
The collection’s first release, Moonlight Surf, includes exclusive board shorts plus surf accessories in a moody navy and black palette. This urbane color combination is inspired by New York City’s favorite colors as well as the inky tones of the ocean at night and appears in color blocked harlequin and jailbird stripes as well as solids. Each style is finished with Snyder’s citified take on key details, including black grommets and black and grey drawstrings – making these pieces versatile enough to go from Montauk to Malibu and everywhere in between.
“I love having beach barbeques at night in the Hamptons, when the water takes on a different color and I was really inspired by that vibe,” says Snyder. “In a way, it’s a little more dressed up, a little more formal to take the traditional elements and do them in black and blue”.
Jimmy Olsson, President of Todd Snyder and an avid East Coast surfer adds, “I’ve worn Birdwells for over 20 years and still have my first pair. This collection really captures the perfect combination of authentic California surf style and NY attitude.”
The Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder Moonlight Surf collection retails for $48 to $168 and will be available exclusively at ToddSnyder.com and in the brand’s flagship Madison Square Park store. Additional capsule collections including a Surf Stripe collection that riffs on competition stripes and classic nautical motifs will be released in April and May.
About TODD SNYDER
Iowa native Todd Snyder makes effortless everyday luxuries that reflect a belief that well-made, perfectly fitted clothes make the man. Blending Savile Row craftsmanship with a downtown New York aesthetic, the line is informed by heritage yet updated for today with an emphasis on quality and impeccable tailoring alongside versatility and comfort. Snyder has been named of GQ’s Best New Menswear Designers, a CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year nominee and a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist and has help important roles at Polo Ralph Lauren, the Gap and J. Crew. Todd Snyder is available at toddsnyder.com and at the brand’s newly opened flagship location on Madison Square Park in New York City, as well as at department stores and boutiques in the U.S. and around the globe.
About BIRDWELL
Founded in 1961 and based in Santa Ana, California, Birdwell Beach Britches was a pioneer in the development of surf trunks and the establishment of the surf apparel industry. Honoring a 55-year commitment to quality craftsmanship, Birdwell’s mission is to continue the Southern California tradition of making purpose-built apparel and accessories, designed for life at the beach and built by hand to endure no matter where the journey leads. We believe in inspiring people to buy less stuff by buying better stuff. Birdwell is available a www.Birdwell.com, the brand’s flagship location in Manhattan Beach, California and select surf shops around the globe.
