Now that we’re two majors into 2019, the world has had several good looks at the new line of clothes that professionals like Rickie Fowler are sporting this year. For Fowler, we’ve seen some brighter pastels, interesting patterns, and a tasteful use of his signature orange on Sundays.
His clothing has come a long way from the days he was wearing orange from head to toe.
Kristin Hinze, global head of golf apparel for Cobra Puma Golf, said Fowler was exciting from the start of the career. “While his initial look was exciting, it was a little limiting for us as a brand. As he’s grown, it’s given our designers a chance to evolve and build the line accordingly.”
While it feels like Cobra Puma’s clothing lines change overnight, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The time from initial concept to stocking new apparel on store shelves is typically 18 months, a lengthy production cycle that all starts with analyzing trends in the market.
“We work with trend services to study styles and color trends coming out of Europe,” said Hinze. “We also touch base with Rickie and our other athletes four to six times per year at photo shoots and other meetings.”
In addition to Fowler, Cobra Puma also partners with players like Bryson Dechambeau, Gary Woodland (recently signed to represent the company’s Folds of Honor Volition line), Blair O’Neal, and Lexi Thompson.
“We value their input because they each have their own style and can speak to the technical needs of the garments they’re wearing on the course.”
What does Cobra Puma have up their sleeves for the rest of the year? Summer will be big as the company celebrates ten years of partnership with Fowler.
“In July, we’re launching our X Collection in celebration,” Hinze said. “It’s a smaller collection and a new tier in our product offerings. We built the entire collection and, when all the samples were done, displayed them in a special showroom to surprise Rickie with. He loved them.”
The new X line includes cashmere sweaters, wool blend trousers, and higher-end technical yarns and fabrics. It’s a collection designed to go hand-in-hand with some of Fowler’s other partnerships.
Hinze pointed out that “Rickie is the face of Mercedes and Rolex now, so he’s running with a faster crowd. While he loves and supports the in-line products, he likes to have the new tier of elevated, refined products.”
You can find the X Collection and all of Cobra Puma’s clothing, shoes, and accessories on the company’s website (www.pumagolf.com) and at your favorite brick-and-mortar or online golf shop.
