I’ve just heard that the cult shirt label Equipment is to be revived for next season. The line has serious style credentials: it’s owned by Carine Roitfeld’s partner Christian Restoin. (The couple met when Carine called in some Equipment pieces for a shoot.) It was because of Carine that Restoin shut the label: when she was appointed editor-in-chief of French Vogue in 2001 he decided to concentrate on Carine’s career.
When I first worked at Vogue House in the late 90s, it seemed as though every woman had an Equipment shirt in her wardrobe. Sold at Harvey Nichols and at their eponymous Sloane Street store, the shirts were made of silk, washed, knitted or satin and came in two cuts, loose or slim.
Throughout the nineties they were a wardrobe staple – the Princess of Wales wore them, and they were regularly featured in editorial. They weren’t cheap: I think the average shirt cost about £150 ten years ago.
Packed away somewhere I still have my military styled skinny fit black silk knit Equipment shirt, with a central placket, white buttons and shoulder straps, which I used to wear with black cotton & Lycra Joseph trousers and high heeled ankle boots. My mother was a huge fan too and she’s selling a fabulous silk leopard print one here on eBay at the moment.
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So interesting that he would revive that! Looking forward to seeing how the brand does! x LZ
Ah, I have an aged Equipment number too — crêpe silk floral on a black background, still worn and loved. My mum saw it in a mag c1997and INSISTED I went out and bought it that very day and that she would pay. I did, from the Sloane Street store which I found madly intimidating. But she was right, it was exactly right for me, because she was clever like that. Intriguing to see what they do with it now.
Wow, that’s so interesting I saw two women recently almost fighting over a vintage Equipment shirt at a clothes fair down here, I would have joined in but it wasn’t a good colour for me (khaki).…looking forward the the new designs
Love equipment shirts! need help in getting a contact to stock the brand at my new upcoming multi designer store in mumbai and dubai! pls help guys!