In recent years, Pitti Uomo in Florence has been heralded as not just the epicentre of tailoring, but the event to flock to for outerwear enthusiasts. Technical clothing has become a byword for ‘cool’ in the menswear scene, as performance wear aficionados obsess over innovative fabrications, garment longevity and dyeing techniques, suitable for hardy treks, rough terrain and terrible weather, but also for a sportswear-inflected look in the city.
Italian outerwear label Ten c is at the forefront of design innovation, and this week, as part of Pitti Uomo 101, the label presented its latest collection at the Fortezza da Basso. For A/W 2022 it has taken the concept of ‘hybridisation’ as its central creative tenet, creating a menswear collection – spanning parkas, puffer jackets, trousers and mid-layers, in neutral and organic shades, bold mandarin red and bright Klein blue – which explores differing materials and techniques, and unites juxtaposing fabrics.
Ten c A/W 2022: embrace hybrid design
As usual, the label’s signature OJJ fabric, a denim-resembling high-density nylon and polyester fibre jersey that is windproof and water-repellent, made using a high-temperature, high-pressure dyeing process, takes focus. OJJ is used to craft down-filled jackets, and a 12oz variation features in Ten c’s Storm Parka, a remastered version of the Royal Air Force Jacket. Pushing technical innovation, for the first time, OJJ is piece-dyed, and garments are completely taped with pockets and hooded details, with garment elements preformed and heat-bonded. In outerwear, trousers and crewnecks and hoodies, OJJ is also teamed with garment-dyed fleece, sheepskin, transparent nylon, nylon tactel, and transparent resined nylon.
For Ten c, militaristic and technical elements are blended. Materials are combined that may appear incompatible in terms of garment dyeing, like polyester and nylon.
A/W 2022 also proposes a total look, bringing together not just outerwear, but bouclé and merino twist yarn knitwear that resembles snuggly fleece, plus heavy cotton satin trousers.
Planning a trip that encompasses a tiring trek and a city break? Ten c’s hybrid creations have all the diverse design elements you need. §
