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for many people. Everyone knows a wards those who couldn’t afford horse lover but the stars we follow the higher end products as well on Instagram such as Gigi and Bella as releasing the We Love Horses to Hadid are not the first people we Limited Edition Collection with think of. Take a closer look and the higher pricing. These clothes of sisters often share shots of them course are inspired by equestri- riding at home, wearing breeches an wear with bodywarmers and HORSES and long riding boots. Many eques- tops. trian brands have found their way 22 year old, Georgina Pattinson, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Hermès. Other than being fashion brands what more do they have into everyday high street fashion a customer at Thinford Sad- in common? The answer is equestrian. Kelly Aitkin explains how. due to celebrity wear. Puffa was an dlery said: “I wear equestrian HIGH FASHION equestrian jacket at the height of its jumpers and coats in the high ashion trends can be inspired mained part of the designs. scarf was made, becoming a hit with success in the 1980’s, Princess Diana street because of their warmth by almost anything; music, As of May 2017 Gucci’s brand value celebrities such as Jacqueline Kenne- was often seen wearing one as she and comfort. They usually get weather and even politics but was worth $12.7 billion after its dy. Both Gucci and Hermès still main- took her sons Prince Harry and Wil- complimented on.” F liam for a ride on their Shetland pony Georgina thinks that elements equestrian is not the first thing revival. The equestrian influence on tain their legacy by selling saddles, many of us think of. Spending on the brand was also to be revived. they are worth approximately £5,000 and Ralph Lauren jodhpurs can still of equestrian fashion can be items such as equestrian cloth- In 2011 passionate horse woman to £9,000 and Hermès has its own be seen for sale today. seen on the high street such ing stood at £560 million in 2015 and Gucci’s creative director, Frida range of equestrian clothing which Visiting any equestrian event and as short jodhpur boots and High end brands sell riding jackets according to The British Equestrian Giannini, launched an equestrian even the richest of horse lovers sure- looking on the advertisement boards long boots coming into fash- Trade Association (BETA) and eques- range taking Gucci back to its roots. ly would think twice about paying for or in programmes you can often see ion, some even complete with similiar to the one shown above trian has more of an influence than Her clothes were worn by top show- just to be covered in horse slobber. sponsors from fashion and jewel- gold dummy spur straps. many would think with items such jumpers such as Charlotte Casiraghi, So why does the horse influence lery brands. Rolex created the Rolex “There was the stage when Topshop how her saddlery business sells as jodhpurs and riding jackets enter- the daughter of Princess Caroline of fashion? Grand Slam of Eventing a prestigious sold jodhpurs, they were canary products to its customers by selling ing high fashion brands and making Monaco in 2011 and Jessica Spring- Horses symbolise many things; pow- event representing the pinnacle with suede knee patches on. There’s online and marketing through social their way onto the high street. steen, daughter of Bruce Springsteen er, beauty, freedom. With fashion of achievement in equestrianism, loads of other things that you’d think media sites. in 2014. The news of Gucci’s new constantly changing and taking new Longines passion for equestrian ‘you’d see that on someone who was She said: “The equestrian clothing The equine influence equestrian ambassadors was cov- and daring trends to the runway the sport began in 1878 after producing riding a horse.’” market is massive and keeps grow- 1921 in Florence, Gucci first opened ered in Vogue and new riding collec- horse embodies this daring freedom a chronograph engraved with a horse Thinford Saddlery owner, Rebecca ing, there are so many brands and its doors to sell leather goods, tions were designed for both riders, perfectly. This symbolism doesn’t and jockey and they have since been Thompson, said: “About six years different companies setting up. including saddlery. Guccio Gucci including show shirts and horse rugs. only lie in fashion but can also be official timekeeper for many eques- ago equestrian and country came “Fashion has come into it instead of soon began to build his brand selling Other high end fashion brands start- seen in jewellery and plays a major trian events and into the general practicality. When an idea takes off leather handbags and followed ed by creating leatherwork for the part in the advertisement and mar- can be found “GUCCI AND fashion world with one brand all the others try and with his hugely successful suitcases horse, Thierry Hermès for example keting of brands. Rebecca Thomp- in partnership HERMES STILL but that’s stead- emulate it, it’s like a fashion cycle.” which are still bought today. Gucci first established himself creating fine son, who owns Thinford Saddlery with the Fédéra- ied up because H&M use social media platforms and incorporated his passion for horses equestrian leather goods such as with her mother Diane, has worked tion Equestre MAINTAIN THEIR supermarket and marketing successfully with the H&M into his designs using small snaffles harnesses and bridles which were in the equestrian industry for ap- Internationale. high street brands We Love Horses campaign. They post and stirrups on the fastening of his bought by renowned carriage mak- proximately 30 years and has seen a However, the LEGACY BY SELLING have upped their video content, such as their part- belts and bags. Over the years Gucci ers. Over the years Hermès began major change in rider’s clothing over inspiration of SADDLES.” game in produc- nered rider Malin Baryard choosing has become famous for its bags designing saddles, desired by the time. Rebecca thinks that equestrian equestrianism ing their cloth- her favourite clothing items, and and clothes but these small equine finest riders, and creating leather fashion can be seen as elitist from isn’t limited to expensive brands. ing but better quality and cheaper host competitions online and instore inspired elements have always re- handbags. In 1937 the first Hermès people outside of the industry. High street clothing retail company prices. to win lessons with the athletes. She said: “The general public have al- H&M have been in partnership with I feel people look for more value for Such use of online has worked well ways perceived the equestrian world The London International Horse money products these days. There is with both equestrian and fashion to be a bit elitist, the royals playing Show Olympia since 1996. The H&M only a small, select market for high and the campaign has more than 53k polo for example. We Love Horses campaign market end stuff.” followers on social media. I feel that high fashion takes more their clothing with riders such as inspiration from equestrian.” international showjumping brothers Into the future Equestrian may be popular in high The elitist representation of equestri- Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts part- Equestrian has been influencing end and high street fashion because an is perhaps why so many high fash- nering with the brand to wear their fashion for over 100 years so how of the beauty and elite it represents ion brands such as Gucci and Rolex clothes in adverts and when riding. will the inspiration of the horse re- but the practical and comfortable aim their partnerships at the sport Partnered rider, Peder Fredricson’s main relevant in years to come? fitting of equestrian clothing may and use horses as an inspiration for horse, H&M All In has also raised the The internet is massively changing also be something that appeals to many of their designs. profile of the clothing company in how clothing stores sell and market non-horse riders. Next time you buy equestrianism after winning individ- their clothes with 68% of UK internet an item adorned with a snaffle detail Appealing to many ual silver in the 2016 Rio Olympic users buying clothing and footwear you will realise that horses have had With thanks to: Thinford Saddlery / Images sourced from Pixbay & Flickr Pixbay from sourced Saddlery / Images Thinford to: With thanks Horses are not only an inspiration for Games. H&M have filled a gap in online according to Mintel. a lot more inspiration in the design fashion but are a passion and sport equestrian partnerships, aiming to- Rebecca Thompson has developed than you may have first thought. Thinford Saddlery