OFFICINE
PALADINO
Fox Trots
Two ateliers, both alike in dignity,
In fair Tuscany where we debut our threads,
From ancient heritage break to a modern age,
With new inventions made from new partnerships.
Fox Trots is Officine Paladino’s 10th collection. It is a milestone in our pursuit of developing fine tailoring cloth for the modern-day sartorialist. From our first collection in 2017, we have partnered with mills in Europe and the United Kingdom to craft our fabrics. Our designs are exclusive and expressive, whether in the form of bold cloth colours, or a playful touch to a classic pattern.
Our fabrics provide excellent handling with a refined texture and luxurious feel, balancing clothmaking tradition with inventiveness in aesthetics and material performance.
The thought of working with Fox Brothers & Co. first formed during Pitti Uomo two years ago. The managing director and co-owner of the mill, Douglas Cordeaux, had presented a newly rejuvenated Fox Air collection that was “inspired by the Tuscan countryside”.
Fox Air’s two-ply, up-twisted yarns hold more tension and create “bounce” in the cloth. This increases durability and crease resistance. Its qualities are ideal for any globetrotting executive and align well with our philosophy.
This collection demonstrates our shared respect for wool’s versatility and how its qualities can be optimised through innovation, without compromising on comfort and style.
MAKING A
DIFFERENT RECORD
Refreshing the lightweight, crease-resistant, three-season cloth collection for tropical suiting is globally relevant. Climate shifts across the globe are shaping lifestyle changes. Tropical suiting is no longer just for the tropics, although the synchronicity of a tropical suiting cloth with a textile developer from a tropical state is simply, chef’s kiss.
What does Officine Paladino bring to the table in a collaboration with one of the oldest mills in the world? We set up a visit to Somerset to discover their archives and past vision, hoping to spur new ideas.
Douglas Cordeaux keeps it classic with a navy mock leno blazer in OP2800 Nocturne, accessorised with a custom silk pocket square printed to commemorate the launch of Fox Trots.
Fox’s archives hold 253 years of clothmaking; there is little unexplored territory. They are more than fabric swatches; they relive historical moments and figures who appreciate their quality and impeccable style.
Seeing the archives for the first time brought up mixed feelings: awe, curiosity, excitement, and admittedly, pressure. They inspire us, challenging us to thread new ideas from the past.
SOMETHING OLD,
SOMETHING NEW
We named the collection Fox Trots as a reference to Fox Brothers & Co., as well as the waltz. The foxtrot follows simple basic steps that build into a full routine, with two dancers in sync. In many ways, that describes the design process of the collection.
The master weavers of Fox Brothers brimmed with ideas and were as thrilled as we were to develop something distinct; we found ways to inject a hint of Officine Paladino into each cloth.
Among the new introductions are a series of five fabrics produced with a mock leno weave using Fox Air yarns. This is the first time the cloth is available in a stocksupported format, and we are honoured to debut this globally.
Bringing the mock leno weave and Fox Air yarns together makes perfect sense – both are meant for use in warmer and humid climates. The challenge is in creating a fabric that looks, feels, and drapes excellently, yet remains durable for everyday wear. The mock leno weave mimics the traditional leno weave’s open structure, with high breathability that makes it ideal for summer or tropical tailoring. Two of these fabrics feature a barely visble glen check and three others are in classic plains.
A LIVING HISTORY
The archive books of Fox Brothers & Co. are living records of its successes. They exist not only in these tomes, but also in the cloth that Fox Brothers weaves today, and in tailored clothing handed down from past generations. What is clear is that the clothmaker has strong traditions it adheres to, which have certainly inspired our approach in design.
Some are variations on past or existing patterns, like reversing the yarns used in Fox Brothers’ madras check cloth for an inverted design.
Two glen check fabrics feature a tricolour tonal design that is incredibly subtle, while two others in grey and green, with hints of brown and black, offer an illusory depth.
Fox Trots also introduces something new for Fox Brothers: the Prince of Wales glen check in Fox Air yarn. This is available in two options – grey with a rust-coloured overcheck (a nod to our signature orange) and charcoal with a deep green overcheck.
Three modern, widely-spaced shadow chalkstripe fabrics offer a fresh take on the executive favoured power suit. They embody the idea of sprezzatura, in classic navy as well as two in charcoal and olive fabrics, which are woven with mélange yarns for a mottled appearance. The mottling effect is more evident in the five plain mélange cloths, in two shades of blue-grey, a light and dark brown, and a deep forest green. The yarns used here create a brushlike unevenness in the cloth, as if painted by an artist on a canvas.
As a member of the Fox Brothers team noted, Fox Trots feels like a natural extension of the existing Fox Air catalogue. We designed a collection that enriches both partners and complements our product ranges. It is the start of a cherished partnership between Officine Paladino and Fox Brothers.
Fox Trots will remain exclusive to Officine Paladino and is available worldwide with fulfillment from Singapore or the United Kingdom. We invite you to discover more at www.officinepaladino.com.
THE COLLECTION
