Helly Hansen’s unexpected pre-Christmas surprises at their launch lunch in August
This time of the year is often referred to as the ‘silly season’ when journalists are invited all kinds of themed ski launches, lunches and parties in advance to the Daily Telegraph’s ski show on 24th October – in its fourth year and held at The Pavillion in Battersea Park. The first early bird invitation arrived from Helly Hansen in August at a time when the weather was still warm and sunny and came as a complete but welcome surprise. Ostensibly the lunch invitation was to view Helly Hansen’s latest winter and ski collection and held appropriately in the Below Zero ‘Ice Bar’ off Regent Street despite thoughts on skiing and ski outfits were a few light years away.
Needless to say it was was interesting to arrive at Below Zero Ice Bar on a warm sunny day and be ushered downstairs where various representatives from #Helly Hansen met us and chatted about their new winter collection while we were served delicious fresh fruit drinks. It was also good time to catch up with other journalists as well as learning all about Helly Hansen’s latest fiber research into cosy warm winter outfits. Ironically the lunch also coincided with the announcement that this coming winter could possibly be one of the coldest which made the purpose of the lunch that more realistic. Emphasis was outlined on the importance of good quality ski outfits to keep you snug and warm whatever the outdoor temperatures and was met with much praise from all quarters soon to be available in shops.
After our drinks we were ushered into the dining area where a table seating 24 had been prettily decorated with a ski jacket hanging over each chair and a big red bag on some chairs indicating where journalists were seated,. As we munched through a delicious tapas type menu, #Helly Hansen marketing director gave a small talk on the technical issues regarding research details employed by Helly Hansen to provide expertly designed outfits that are now lighter but keep you warm and cosy whatever the weather. Several of their new LifaLoft eye catching outfits were modeled by various members of the team, all light and wearable outfits yet still keep up with trendy ski fashions. Andre Mythere, an former Olympic Skier who is sponsored by Helly Hensan was happy to model a couple of their jackets while explaining the importance these days of light, wearable ski outfits that not only keep you warm but also dry no-matter how much you sweat – something I often suffer from when after a tough day’s ski end up with damp clothes purely from sweating so much.
After lunch we were all invited to drinks in the 16 degree below zero Ice Bar upstairs and asked to don on our new winter ski jackets. Mine is definitely a dream to wear and I simply can’t wait for winter to try and test it. Also in the ‘goodie bag’ were a number of eye catching items, a light Liftaloft ski blue jacket, a Helly Hansen matching beanie hat and thermal sweat free vest to wear under ski clothes – all things I need for the forthcoming ski season, it felt like Christmas all over again. The only draw back, a week later the UK experienced one of those weeks of unusually warm weather which meant consigning my new gear to the back of wardrobe – but not for long though!