Better
By
Design
AETHER was founded in 2009 in an effort to create something that didn’t previously exist in the market. Obsessed with all things design, founders Palmer West and Jonah Smith sought to merge outerwear technicality with an urban aesthetic. The goal was to create pieces with the amount of protection someone expects out of mountain wear but in silhouettes that felt at home in the city. All along the way, at every turn, great design was the guiding principle. Simply put, AETHER is always Better By Design.
Voyager Jacket, $595.
CHAM ONI FRA On Location: Fall/ Winter 2017
IX,
Photos by: Clement Jolin & Jonah Smith
39.1911° 106.8175°
On Location
For Fall/ Winter 2017, we decided to venture to the Alps, choosing Chamonix, France, as the destination to photograph our latest men’s and women’s collections. The resort is located less than an hour from the Geneva, Switzerland, airport and sits at the base of the Mont-Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps. One of France’s oldest ski resorts, Chamonix boasts an outdoor culture that revolves around backcountry skiing. Wherever you turn, skiers are outfitted in harnesses and equipped with off-piste gear to take on Chamonix’s diverse and crevasse-filled terrain. During our trip, we put our clothing to the test against bitter-cold winds, high altitudes, and vast temperature swings. We took a cable car to the 12,000-plus summit of the Aiguille du Midi, where skiers descend into the legendary backcountry route the Vallée Blance, which winds around the many peaks of the Mont Blanc range before ultimately ending on the longest glacier in France, the Mer de Glace. (When weather permits, skiers can traverse all the way back to Chamonix’s town center.) (c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 0 9 )
(Above) Flatiron Jacket, $495. (Opposite Page) The town of Chamonix, France.
AE THER JOURNAL
04
F W ’17
Chamonix, FR
AE THER JOURNAL
A ET H ERapparel.com
05
F W ’17
The Alpine Shell in Graphite.
Backcountry enthusiasts in Chamonix walk the ridge at the top of the Aiguille du Midi before descending into the VallĂŠe Blanche.
Chamonix, FR
A ET H ERapparel.com
We explored the Mer de Glace and its spectacular ice caves, making our way there via the Montenvers Railway, which leaves from town. We drove to the nearby town of Megève, discovering the ski resort’s tiny airport and taking to the skies in a helicopter to have a bird’s-eye view of the Alps’ seemingly endless jagged peaks. We skied and hiked and explored three countries in just as many days (Chamonix is connected to Courmayeur, Italy, via a tunnel and, in the summer, a gondola). We found the perfect spot for all of our new pieces, from wool overcoats and waffle knits to down-insulated jackets and ski shells. Here, some images from our adventure in the French Alps.
AE THER JOURNAL
09
F W ’17
The Alpine Shell in Graphite.
Ozone Jacket, $295.
On Location
(Top) The cable car to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi. (Bottom) A Land Rover at the Megève airport.
AE THER JOURNAL
12
F W ’17
Chamonix, FR
A ET H ERapparel.com
(Top) Voyager Jacket, $595. (Bottom) The snow-cave entrance to the ridge at the top of the Aiguille du Midi.
AE THER JOURNAL
13
F W ’17
02.
01.
09.
11./12. 10.
17.
16.
MEN’S WINTER PACKING LIST 01. Cooper Sweater, $250
04. AETHER x SALT. Explorer Sunglass, $600
07. Gramercy Jacket, $350
02. Core Vest, $175
05. B&O Beoplay H8 Headphone, $499
08. AETHER Logo Hat, $45
03. Crew Pocket Pullover, $95
06. Long-Sleeve Waffle Crew, $85
09. Approach Snow Pant, $425
AE THER JOURNAL
14
F W ’17
06. 03.
07.
08. 04.
05.
13.
15. 14.
18.
10. Atlas Hat, $75
13. Merino Neck Gaiter, $40
16. Merino Long-Sleeve Henley, $110
11. Access Shell, $650
14. James The Folsom Knife, $99
17. Merino Long-Sleeve Polo, $110
12. Ghost Jacket, $295
15. Welded Duffle Large, $250
18. Brunswick Pant, $225 each
AE THER JOURNAL
15
F W ’17
Gramercy Jacket, $350.
06. 02.
03.
05.
04.
01.
10. 11.
13.
14.
15.
WOMEN’S WINTER PACKING LIST 01. Orion Jacket, $595
04. W Waffle Henley, $85
07. Atlas Hat, $75
02. Jersey Henley, $85
05. Waffle Scoop-Neck Tee, $85
08. Polartec Cowl Pullover, $135
03. Waffle Scoop-Neck Tee, $85
06. Hayes Vest, $225
09. Meribel Jacket, $450
AE THER JOURNAL
18
TM
F W ’17
07. 08. 09.
12.
18.
16. 17.
10. SALT. Dibergi Sunglass, $490
13. Luxe Sweater, $295
16. System Pullover, $195
11. B&O Beoplay H9 Headphone, $499
14. Mercer Jacket, $350
17. Welded Duffle Small, $175
12. Atlas Scarf, $165
15. Sweater Pant, $225
18. Descent Snow Pant $375
AE THER JOURNAL
19
F W ’17
Mercer Jacket, $350.
Design Spotlight:
BLACK
CROWS The hottest new ski in freeskiing was born in Chamonix.
Design Spotlight
(Above and Opposite Page) Black Crows’ freeskiers in the Alps.
AE THER JOURNAL
24
F W ’17
Black Crows
A ET H ERapparel.com
While pristine and picturesque, Chamonix is known as one of the most desirable and hard-core places to ski anywhere in the world. Chock-full of expert terrain both in and out of bounds, it’s a mecca for those looking to explore wild and diverse terrain while pushing their limits on skis. So it should come as no surprise that Chamonix would be the birthplace of a company also seeking to push the limits of what’s possible in ski construction. Black Crows was started by professional skiers Camille Jaccoux and Bruno Compagnet in 2006 out of a desire to create a freeride ski they didn’t feel existed in the marketplace, something both attractive and efficient. Their vision was for a powder ski that could tackle high-speed turns while also changing direction at a moment’s notice. They accomplished that with the Corvus, Black Crows’ first model, a large ski that could handle deep powder as deftly as it could whip around a tight turn—it was big, sturdy, and easy to maneuver. Eighty-three models later, Black Crows’ now makes men’s and women’s resort, all-terrain, big mountain, touring, and youth collections, all recognizable for their signature graphics and bold color-blocking. While shooting in Chamonix, we saw countless pairs of Black Crows descending into the challenging terrain, piquing our interest in the brand. As a company focused on design, Black Crows’ dedication to thoughtful construction and strong aesthetics spoke to us. On the following pages, we highlight a selection of the Chamonix-based brand’s most high-performance models.
AE THER JOURNAL
25
F W ’17
Design DesignSpotlight Spotlight
Men’s All-Terrain
Men’s & Women’s Touring
Men’s All-Terrain
VIATOR
NAVIS FREEBIRD
DAEMON
Men’s & Women’s Touring
Men’s Resor t
Men’s Big Mountain
OVA FREEBIRD
ARTO
ATRIS
AE THER JOURNAL
26 16
FSS W ’17
Black Crows
A ET H ERapparel.com
Women’s All-Terrain
Women’s All-Terrain
Women’s All-Terrain
CAMOX BIRDIE
CAPTIS BIRDIE
DAEMON BIRDIE
Men’s & Women’s Touring
Women’s Resor t
Women’s Big Mountain
CORVUS FREEBIRD
VERTIS BIRDIE
ATRIS BIRDIE
AE THER JOURNAL
27
F W ’17
Hopkins Jacket, $525.
100% italian wool
800 -fill-power grey-goose down
Japanese taffeta
Product Spotlight
A ET H ERapparel.com
MEN’S
HOPKINS JACKE T The Hopkins Jacket is meant for cold days spent in the city. Fully insulated with 800-fillpower grey-goose down, the Hopkins maintains a sophisticated aesthetic thanks to a fusion of 100% Italian wool with Japanese taffeta. Water and wind resistant, this jacket features zippered hand pockets and an interior zipper pocket for stashing small necessities.
AE THER JOURNAL
31
F W ’17
Orion Jacket, $595; Atlas Hat, $75; Atlast Scarf, $165.
Product Spotlight
A ET H ERapparel.com
WOMEN’S
ORION JACKE T The Orion Jacket fuses a soft 4-way stretch woven fabric with Italian wool at the sleeves and front, resulting in an elegant coat that will help you take on cold weather in style. There are 200 grams of PrimaLoft® Silver at the body and slightly less insulation at the hood and sleeves, ensuring that the A-line silhouette flatters while keeping you warm. A two-way zipper at the front allows for ease of movement and comfort, and extra-large openings at the zippered hand pockets mean your hands will fit even when you’re wearing gloves or mittens.
AE THER JOURNAL
34
F W ’17
Soft 4 -way stretch woven fabric 133 grams of PrimaLoft® Silver
200 grams of PrimaLoft® Silver
Italian wool 2-way zipper
Featured Collection
A ET H ERapparel.com
MEN’S ACTIVE COLLECTION Our capsule collec tion of men’s ac tive pieces fuse func tion with classic design.
Basic Active Tee, $75; Momentum Short 2, $95.
AE THER JOURNAL
36
F W ’17
Singer Vehicle Design 02. 03. 01.
04.
05.
06.
08.
07.
01. Holden Pant, $165
04. Vigor Tee, $75 each
02. Vescent Jacket, $155 each
05. Long-Sleeve Basic Active Tee, $85
03. Welded Backpack, $145
06. Basic Active Tee, $75
AE THER JOURNAL
23 37
07. AETHER x MIIR Vacuum- Insulated Bottle, $34 08. Momentum Short 2, $95
FSS W ’17
Design Spotlight
A ET H ERapparel.com
Here at AETHER, we find a muse in everything from classic cars to art to architecture. When it comes to the latter, there is perhaps no more innovative and awe-inspiring company than the multidisciplinary architecture firm Snohetta, based in both Oslo and New York City, with multiple offices across the globe. Snohetta explores the fusion of landscape, architecture, and the human experience throughout all of its projects. Here, a few of the firm’s most exceptional recent accomplishments.
DESIGN SPOTLIGHT: SNOHETTA
THE 7TH ROOM The 7th Room, completed early in 2017, sits in a secluded pine forest in Northern Sweden as part of Treehotel, a collection of ecofriendly treehouse-style rooms each designed by a different architect. Hovering more than 30 feet in the air, it camouflages itself into the surrounding landscape—the underside of the cabin is even covered with black and white prints of treetops. But as you climb the staircase and enter an ultra-modern living space, it’s clear this is not your average treehouse. While the space is equipped with two bedrooms, a lounge area, and a bathroom, Snohetta made sure the focus was on the outdoors: Floor-to-ceiling windows, minimal furnishings, and an outdoor terrace allow you to appreciate the serenity of the surrounding Lapland forest and even catch the Northern Lights if you’re lucky. AE THER JOURNAL
38
F W ’17
SFMOMA Snohetta’s expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) was a colossal, six-year undertaking completed in 2016. It nearly tripled the museum’s exhibition space and created more public galleries, all while employing the original 1995 Mario Botta-designed structure. Snohetta seamlessly combined the old with the new, while also creating ways for the museum to interact with the surrounding community via expanded unticketed galleries and new pathways to and around the building. The renovated eastern facade was inspired by the waters of the San Francisco Bay and designed to resemble a dynamic, wave-like pattern. It’s constructed with more than 700 unique fiberglass panels, each containing silicate crystals from Monterey Bay that catch light and create the appearance of movement. AE THER JOURNAL
40
F W ’17
THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR CAVE ART The International Centre for Cave Art in Montignac, France, is dedicated to the famed prehistoric Lascaux cave paintings. A uniquely immersive experience for its visitors, it combines educational storytelling with experiential reproductions of the 20,000-year-old caves. Completed in 2016 and set on a hillside, the museum is built to give visitors an experience that mirrors the first discoverers descending into the caves in 1940. From the lobby, visitors take an elevator to the roof, where they head down a sloped path to reach the entrance of the cave replica. In addition to meticulous recreations of the cave paintings, the atmosphere is true to the actual Lascaux caves: dark, damp, and humid. Snohetta designed the museum with dichotomies in mind (indoors and outdoors, ascent and descent, natural and artificial), pondering how these juxtapositions contribute to the visitor’s experience of the space. AE THER JOURNAL
41
F W ’17
Winter Essentials
A ET H ERapparel.com
THE MEN’S MERINO COLLECTION O ur selec t ion of merino k ni t s are made from a sof t , heat hered, wool - p ol y b lend. Famous for i t s p er formance p rop er t ies , merino is naturall y breat hab le, mois ture w ick ing , o dor resis t ant , and t hermall y insulat ing.
Merino Long-Sleeve Henley, $110.
Merino Long-Sleeve Crew, $90.
AE THER JOURNAL
Merino Long-Sleeve Polo, $110.
43
F W ’17
ALL BLACK EVERYTHING From merino sweaters to func tional hoodies to knit s for ever y occasion, our men’s collec tion has it all.
Winter Essentials
A ET H ERapparel.com
THE WOMEN’S WAFFLE COLLECTION C o n s t r u c te d f ro m a s u p e r- s o f t , l i g h t we i g h t co t to n b l e n d , o u r w a f f l e k n i t s a re a s f l a t te r i n g a s t h ey a re co m f o r t a b l e.
W Waf f le Henley, $85.
Waf f le Sccoop - Neck Tee, $85.
AE THER JOURNAL
46
F W ’17
GRAY SCALE Our women’s luxe sweaters, tex tured tees, cozy hoodies, and other elegant basics are musts for the coldest season.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
AETHERapparel.com 6100 MELROSE AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90038 @AETHERapparel #intotheAETHER
FREE SHIPPING IN THE US FOR ORDERS OVER $100.
PAID AETHER APPAREL