July 15th, 2010 / Our People
After 30 hours or so in transit, New Zealand band Electric Wire Hustle are enjoying their second tour through Europe wearing none other than Icebreaker Superfine. Here’s a quick update from band member and Icebreaker Graphic Designer Dave Wright:
“So far we’ve had a couple of amazing shows in London followed by Vienna, Frankfurt, Poznan and Berlin. Next to come are Basel and Amsterdam.
With temperatures in the mid to late thirties the entire trip, our Icebreaker Superfine t-shirts have been integral. Traveling with a load of instruments while disembarking trains or planes to get to different venues and go straight into set-up, our Superfine tee’s have eased the heat and stink that would have accompanied!
This picture is of the three of us in our Superfine prior to traveling from London to Vienna to perform in a planetarium.”
Have a great rest of your tour guys, we’re stoked you’re wearing Icebreaker on your travels!
June 4th, 2010 / Our Merino Growers + Our People + Outdoors
One of the best things about Icebreaker is our relationships with our merino wool growers. Last weekend I was lucky enough to get invited to spend some time at Cluden Station with Anna (our New Zealand Corporate Account Manager) and her partner Sam. We started off by having dinner with some farmers from a neighbouring station. Incredible company, a great roast meal and some wine made for a fun night.
Although it rained the entire time I was there, when we made it up to the high country (via a very bumpy and exciting ride in a ute), I saw one of the most incredible sights ever. It was snowing all around me and when I looked down the mountain it was completely green. For many people who live near or experience the mountains on a regular basis, this may not be a big deal, but for a “townie” like me it was pretty special.
Lucky for me my IcebreakerGT Base Layer 200 Crew paired with a Superfine LS Hood and topped off with Real Fleece kept me toasty warm in the snow at the top of the mountain. Sam was kind enough to stop the ute a few times so I could take photos. I was totally a tourist and very much appreciated the patience of my hosts.
In the high country, the merino sheep were a bit difficult to spot, but thanks to some very skilled and lovable dogs, I was able to see two merino running down the mountain. It was awesome to see the source of the merino that was keeping me warm in all that snow.
Overall it was a great trip where I learned heaps about what life in the country is like here in New Zealand, and I was lucky enough to experience some spectacular scenery and hospitality.
- Swave Szymczyk, Global In-Store Marketing Manager
May 27th, 2010 / Our People
Having made the painful decision to leave the Icebreaker family in pursuit of the age old Kiwi tradition of heading on an OE (Oversees Experience) the first stop was to visit my father who is currently working in AL Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
After appropriately celebrating my 3 years with the company and my bags packed I was off. It was quite an experience cutting everything you own down to one back pack, luckily you can roll Icebreaker gear up pretty small so you can fit a lot in.
With a brief stop over in Brunei, I arrived in Dubai. The scale of construction here is almost overwhelming, everywhere you go you will find the biggest something in the world, be it the Burj Tower, or the largest aquarium which is found in the Dubai Mall.
Abu Dhabi was also thriving with construction. I was also meet with a lot of greenery which I was not expecting in a desert nation (there was a lot of irrigation going on to maintain this). I really admired the planning that has gone on in this city there have been a lot of family park areas created and these seemed to be very popular in the evening as the temperature cooled. They were also redeveloping the Corniche area (sea front) which looked to be a great place to hang out.
The 40 degree heat was a real experience and I was glad I had packed in a couple of my favourite Superfine tee’s, being so breathable these really combated the heat. Al Ain was a fantastic experience and great to catch up with Dad. He also proved to be a great tour guide, driving me around the local forts and organising trips through the National Museum and Zoo. We also enjoyed a desert safari which included driving sand buggies through the dunes, a short ride on a Camel, treated to some local cuisine and a belly dancing display.
If I had to pick one highlight it was definitely climbing to the top of the Jebel Hafeet Mountain in Al Ain. The views were staggering looking out over the desert and across to Oman, this was such a stark contrast to the New Zealand environment I have grown up in, here is where it really sunk in that my journey has only just begun.
Next stop London…
Jacob Horan, ex Icebreaker team member
