Thumbs up for Driza-Bone Mk-II
Flushed with the success of its ‘first generation' next-to-skin range, Driza-Bone® has launched ‘second generation' – a range of lightweight activewear garments
Snowsports Tradeshow, held recently in Canberra, was the venue for the the result of a partnership between Australian Driza-Bone® and AWI – the launch of the second generation range of outdoor active apparel.
For more than a century, Driza-Bone® has protected Australians from the elements; throughout the same era, Australian-grown Merino wool has provided the raw material to keep them warm and dry.
The new collection, second generation, is a further improvement on Driza-Bone®'s past collection of outdoor, active, next-to-skin apparel (first generation). It is a range of fine Australian Merino wool garments that have been designed as lightweight, comfortable, high-quality activewear.
Rod Williams, chief executive officer at Driza-Bone®, is pleased with the results: "The first generation range has been well received by customers and has entered into its third re-order, surpassing all expectations for the range."
Since the launch of the first generation range in mid-October 2006, 8000 garments have been sold in David Jones stores around the country.
The new second generation range has significantly more styles, more technical designs and is a step up in style from the first generation. Driza-Bone®'s second generation has been presented to distributors in France, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany, and the result was positive.
"Each distributor will be placing the range in a minimum of 20 retail outlets for the European winter of 2006-07 and delivery of the garments is expected in [Australian] stores in March," Mr Williams says.
Second generation by Driza-Bone® caters for men and women and includes 12 sports-inspired styles. The range is essentially constructed from two basic fabric construction techniques: a 28-gauge single Australian Merino wool jersey and 28-gauge interlock fabric.
The 100 per cent Australian Merino second generation range has been tested by the best in Driza-Bone®'s opinion leader network (OLN), including the Wild Oats crew who won the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race and extreme ski schools in the US and Europe. Brett Lee (Australian cricketer) and George Gregan (Australian rugby player) are also OLN members who have tested the garments.
AWI worked with The Merino Company to introduce Driza-Bone® to the unique benefits of Australian Merino wool and the innovative outdoor fabrics available when the Driza-Bone® team was looking to create specific activewear to respond to market demand.
"Working with AWI and The Merino Company has been a great experience," Mr Williams says. "They have assisted us with technical, supply chain and marketing support and helped the Driza-Bone® team create an incredible product out of a fantastic fibre."
The Driza-Bone® second generation collection will be available in March 2007, in time for the Australian winter.
More information: www.drizaboneactiv.com
Return to Beyond the Bale Issue 26 index page.
The Sydney to Hobart 2006 champion crew of Wild Oats XI has sailed in regattas around the world wearing Driza-Bone® Merino. The garments have been part of the crew's winning success in the 2006 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, the Hamilton Island racing series and the highly competitive Zegna Trophy in Italy.
Rick Goodrich, Kings Cup-winning rower and two-time sailor in the America's Cup, led the charge to get the Driza-Bone® gear aboard Wild Oats XI, along with businessman and owner of Wild Oats, Bob Oatley.
Describing this year's winning trip from Sydney to Hobart, Rick said: "The clothing could not have performed better. It helped keep the crew warm and comfortable throughout the 43-hour race."
The race ended with Wild Oats XI sailing into the history books by winning line honours, the handicap victory and setting a new course record.