Icelandic outerwear go-to 66°North has enlisted the help of rising star designer Charlie Constaintou for the second time, producing a capsule collection for those after the coolest way to protect from the incoming chill.
Constaintou, who graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2022 with a collection rooted in his unique style of quilting, has “really focused on bringing more of our silhouettes and textiles into the 66°North world,” he says. The results include the “Signature Quilt Jacket” — a quilt coat dyed over four days with minerals, clay and rocks — a “Hybrid Shearling Shell Jacket” that combines fleece and wool blend deadstock, and the return of the “Dyed Shell Jacket”, for those looking for toned down, gorpcore-approved windbreakers.
When the designer left college, he explained his signature quilting technique to the Standard, saying: “It is constructed from a shrunken quilting which can stretch back out to fit the person wearing it. Essentially, this quilting can grow to fit anyone. It is inspired by extreme weather conditions, adaptability and function. Being able to adapt from hot to cold, or from one environment to another. Allowing a garment to serve more than a singular purpose.”
It’s no surprise then, that 66°North took note. “When we were planning our market entry for London [in 2023] and preparing for the opening of our European flagship store on Regent Street, we wanted to tap into the local creative crowd in London,” says Helgi Óskarsson, their CEO. “Charlie brought some sketches to our first meeting, and I saw immediately that not only was he a very talented designer, but he also totally understood our brand and heritage.”
“When the company was founded in 1926, Hans Kristjansson, our founder, pushed boundaries by making the most innovative and durable fisherman coat he could think of,” Óskarsson continues. “Today, we continue to evolve and make garments that are relevant, and you can wear in all types of weather, no matter if it’s the rain in London, the cold January in New York City or hiking a glacier in Iceland.”
As for what makes a great coat, Constaintou believes there are three aspects to get right: “the cut, functionality and durability. All of the styles we have developed as part of this collaboration are thoroughly considered for function and adaptability — as well as comfort and durability. It’s beyond just being visually pleasing.”
Certainly, though, you can expect to turn heads.
From £175, 66north.com; also in store, 100 Regent St, W1B 5SR
