Bespoke Feature

Hit The Slopes In Style With Bogner

On piste or off, the new skiwear collection from this ground-breaking German label is delivering peak cool

Fashion

Whether you’re an intrepid black-run adventurer or more about the après-ski fondue and fire, you’ll likely agree on one thing: skiing is a glamorous sport. The movie-set vistas mixed with a daredevil spirit of exploration makes for an irresistible combination, whether you’re in Sun Valley or St. Moritz. And then, of course, there are the clothes.

It’s impossible to underestimate the influence that Maria Bogner had on skiwear’s style legacy. A Cologne native, her husband, former ski champion Willy Bogner, was inspired to launch the eponymous sportswear line – which dates back to the 1930s – after his wife bemoaned the dearth of unflattering options for the slopes. Anticipating the demand and desire for functional options that didn’t forego fashionable credentials, the Bogners decided to create pieces that were sleek, innovative and high-performance (the label even boasts dressing the German Olympic ski team since 1936).

This winter, designs match peak-performance credentials with modern, chic detailing – a fashion fusion that delivers mileage beyond the mountains

One of Maria’s most notable skiwear revolutions was created in 1948 when she introduced a pair of elegant stirrup pants (so iconic that the term ‘Bogners’ made it into the dictionary as a synonym for women’s ski trousers) that quickly wooed Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Jayne Mansfield. Although crafted from stretch material, and initially designed for the slopes, the design immediately had off-piste appeal – even as an eveningwear option.

The same functional glamour still defines the brand today, which continues to woo a jet set, including Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss and Gisele Bündchen. What keeps it relevant? An uncompromising attention to design and detail.

This winter, designs match peak-performance credentials with modern, chic detailing – a fashion fusion that delivers mileage beyond the mountains. Take the quilted faux-leather ‘Lissi-D’ jacket for instance. Yes, details like the snuggly insulating layers and drawstring hood make it a win on the slopes – particularly when paired with the shell-trimmed ‘Tory’ pants – but it would also transition seamlessly into your winter city wardrobe.

Or, look to the perfect intarsia knits; in a punchy shade of red, the graphic ‘Esra’ sweater will instantly heat up the coldest of days. Indeed, showcasing a confident approach to design across the collection, this winter’s heroes come in a bold palette of black, white and red – or mixed up with playful pops of print, from strident stripes and optic ’60s-style graphics. Hits of animal print and shearling nod to glamour, while Alpine intarsia knits and substantial ski boots continue to push forward the legacy of a brand that looks as good on the streets as it does on the slopes.