The new collection will be made from eco-conscious materials and will aim to celebrate the best of both brands.
The Billabong and Wrangler brands have teamed up for their first ever collaboration, which aims to put a ‘western spin on vintage surf’.
The first installment has launched to capitalise on the back to school period in US, with a second autumn-inspired range due to land in September.
The collection – which is made with eco-conscious materials including recycled P.E.T, organic cotton and hemp – is a nod to the Billabong origin story, which saw founder Gordon Merchant influenced by his favourite pair of Wrangler jeans for the fit of the first pair of Billabong board shorts.
“Whether you’re passionate about riding in the rodeo arena or riding a wave, a shared love for the outdoors can connect us all,” said Holly Wheeler, vice president of global brand marketing at Wrangler. “As we continue to offer new apparel through meaningful collaborations, it’s great to work with a brand like Billabong that aligns with our values and was inspired by our product from the very beginning.
“The result of our brands authentically coming together is a truly unique, sustainable collection that sits at the intersection of surf and western.”
Brad Lancaster, vice president, men’s creative at Billabong, added: “Wrangler denim has always been synonymous with timeless craftsmanship and quality and we were really fortunate to work intimately with the team there. We’re also feeling really good about the materials we used to create this collection.
“End to end it’s a sustainable line, using recycled PETs, hemp and organic cottons and recycled materials for the trims – a first for Billabong, and certainly a step in the right direction for the planet.”
There are more than 40 styles in the men’s collection with a highlight being the Icons boardshort which pays homage to the original boardshort style and soul of the 1970s. The women’s offering includes a wide array of styles, materials and silhouettes.
The first release is a collection laced with the spirit of the ’70s and country soul, while the second release will draw on Wrangler’s primary palette of vibrant retro hues with an assortment of fresh-spun range jackets, denim, fleece and high-waisted cords.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.
