Loro Piana has been announced as the Official Supplier to the European Team for the next two Ryder Cup matches, held at Hazeltine National, Minnesota, this September and Le Golf National, Paris, in 2018.
The European Team will wear outfits designed by Loro Piana in all their official public appearances, including travel to The Ryder Cup, practice rounds, Ryder Cup matches, gala dinners and the opening and closing ceremonies.
The 2016 collection was designed following instructions from European captain Darren Clarke, who specified he wanted outfits that would reflect the spirit and prestige of The Ryder Cup. The collection incorporates natural colours, technical performance, durability, but also refined elegance and impeccable style. To announce the agreement, the sportswear range “Tuesday Practice” – one of three designs for the practice days – was unveiled at Le Golf National, host venue when The Ryder Cup returns to Europe in two years’ time.
Clarke said: “I am delighted that Loro Piana has agreed to become the clothing supplier for the European Ryder Cup Team. I have been an admirer of their clothing for a long time because fashion is a subject I am particularly interested in.
“Loro Piana are focused on quality and that is something that fits with everything we are doing for The 2016 Ryder Cup Team. The outfits they have created for the team this year are fantastic and the outfit we have unveiled, which we will wear in practice at Hazeltine, shows they are also unquestionably stylish.
“We will reveal the other outfits during the Ryder Cup week itself, but I can promise you is that Team Europe will look sensational. The commitment shown by Loro Piana is greatly appreciated and I’m proud to have them as part of our team as we seek to retain The Ryder Cup.”
Antoine Arnault, Chairman of Loro Piana, said: “We are very proud and honoured to represent the European Team at The Ryder Cup. We have high hopes that Loro Piana’s elegance, quality and extensive experience in transforming the best natural fibres in the world into high performance products, in this case for sports professionals, will win us yet another important victory, and we wish good luck to the European Team at Hazeltine.”
The collection includes a mezzocollo sweater and a gilet made from the finest, lightest, softest Loro Piana cashmere. The manica corta polo shirt in Featherlight wool piqué is perfect for vigorous physical activity, on account of its natural thermoregulation and breathability when it comes in contact with the skin. Ergonomically designed to follow body lines, it allows for perfectly fluid movement.
The trousers have a Rain System® finish, making the fabric waterproof. The outfits for the three competition days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Hazeltine National will not be disclosed to the public before the start of the Ryder Cup on Friday, September 30.
From mid-September, there will be a Ryder Cup capsule available exclusively in the Loro Piana Milan, London Bond Street and Sloane Street, Paris Faubourg and Montaigne, Geneva, Cannes, New York, Beverly Hills, Honolulu, Bal Harbour, Hong Kong IFC, Singapore Marina Bay, Beijing SKP, Tokyo Ginza, Osaka and Seoul stores.