Babar the elephant first appeared in the 1931 French children's book Histoire de Babar by Jean de Brunhoff, inspired by a story that his wife Cécile invented for their children.
"Babar for me, is like a French, pachyderm James Bond -- with a family and a crown"
Lands’ End is no stranger to the rugby shirt, creating and designing the official jerseys for the USA Eagles in the late 1980s. They passed the field test and have been a beloved part of the brand’s offering ever since. As proud purveyors of the rugby shirt ourselves, and the official blazer supplier to the USA men’s and women’s rugby teams, we like building on Lands’ End’s legacy while tapping into the irreverent style that Rowing Blazers has become known for.
“Rowing Blazers and Lands’ End might seem at first blush to be at opposite ends of the spectrum,” said Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson. “Lands’ End is based in Dodgeville, Wisconsin and pioneered the American catalogue; Rowing Blazers is based in SoHo and in some ways has more in common with streetwear brands. But I’ve always loved Lands’ End, and there’s a lot of very meaningful shared DNA. Lands’ End began as a sailing and yacht supply company; Rowing Blazers began as a supplier and outfitter for rowing clubs. There’s a shared passion of the stories behind products; a real love for color, simplicity, and meaning. Perhaps most importantly, the rugby shirt has become a key category for both brands. I think Lands’ End should be credited in no small part with introducing the rugby shirt as a staple of the American wardrobe; taking it from a niche or novelty item, and making it a true staple.”
The first release in the Lands’ End x Rowing Blazers limited-edition collection is now available with a new rugby shirt releasing every month through November. The collection is available for purchase at rowingblazers.com, and at the Rowing Blazers Clubhouse in New York.
