Picture Organic Clothing FW19/20 Wetsuit Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Wetsuits FW19/20

Brand: Picture Organic Clothing
Interviewee: Julien Durant, Co-founder

Never before the surf breaks have been so crowded in the coldest, harshest month? Hence, the winter wetsuit market is booming?
The winter wetsuit market is a KPI for any serious wetsuit company. Big or outsider. This is where and when the consumers are the most demanding regarding the conditions and the extreme usage of their gear. No place for unsatisfactory quality or useless gimmicks. This is also the time to launch the latest innovations and breakthrough technologies. You pass or crash.

Wetsuits brands are multiplying, with many niche brands and D2C strategies. Is the ol’ wetsuit market segmentation at stake, for the better or the worse?
As said previously, the number of participants is growing but in different usages…. and consumption habits. This is where new brands catch their attention. That said, the wetsuits market rely on heritage and legitimacy that historical brands still dominate.

Please help us understand what differentiates the sub-ranges within your collection? (warmth/flex, technologies/constructions, price-points…)
We are offering 3 segmentations for our FW19 wetsuits line.

DOME SERIES: Engineered to offer maximum warmth and protection, it is loaded with our latest technologies (GBS, Power Seam, Dry Now, Hyper stretch knit, Fuse cut, Drain holes, Glideskin neck seal, Comfort zone).
From 329,99 euros with the 4.3 to 389,99 euros with the 5.4.

EQUATION SERIES: Comfort, stretch, and versatility is what our Equation Series is all about (GBS, WPF, Watertight seal, Fuse cut, Drain holes, Glideskin neck seal, Comfort zone).
From 265 euros with the 3.2, to 299,99 euros with the 5.4.

FLUID SERIES: Great value, incredible style (GBS, Standard lining, Mesh panels, Watertight seal, fuse cut, drain holes, Glideskin neck seal, Pullover watertight neck seal).
From 239,99 euros with the 32 to 249,99 with the 4.3.

Can you reveal your latest innovation for fall-winter 2019/20; e.g. rubber sourcing/tech, panelling, seams and closure system etc.
As I explained before, each of the wetsuit series has their own technicities. Our FW range allows high performance in all cold water conditions with a real eco-conception available for every wallet.

Since materials play a big role in a product’s lifecycle, we improved quality while reducing our environmental impact, opting for alternatives such as EicoPrene and recycled polyester. We made it a personal challenge to develop products that make a real difference in the fight against climate change. EicoPrene is made of 30% of recycled tyres & 70% of limestone.

Is the black on black almost mandatory on thicker wetties? (for both technical issues and customer habits)
We kept the Picture design in our wetsuit range with original prints & brand codes as the fir tree which is our logo.

Concerning the men’s line, we are working with soft colours & melange colours. Designers worked on a Lofoten print, inspired by Svalbard landscape; a camo print & a wave one.

The women’s line is more colourful using pastel colours & prints as the abstract art (cotemporary collage / colour block) and marble. We chose to use the prints that we can find in the outerwear & access lines to propose to retailers cross merchandising possibilities.

Are you into alternative eco-sourcing? (limestone and eco-friendly rubber, solvent free glues, recycled polyester…)
Since sustainability is our #1 priority, our wetsuits feature:
-Eicoprene foam : all the carbon black is made with recycled tyres
-AQUA-A™ glue : eco-friendly water based aqua glue; non allergenic (non-use of solvents)
-100% recycled polyester : inside & outside linings

Finally, for the sake of brainstorming, what could be the wetsuit’s future quantum leap? (disruptive materials, custom bodymapping, longer lifespan, etc.)
We definitely have a clear take on the future of wetsuits at Picture, and this is to offer the most sustainable yet performing and affordable products. If comfort, durability and lightness will still be key, this is in the production that we want, and should, make the difference. Stay tuned…