Y-3, the fashion line from designer Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas, is known for producing futuristic clothes. The shoes, with their big swooping soles, look like they should be standard issue on an interplanetary freighter. The clothes could be pulled out of Blade Runner. So, when Y-3 made the announcement today that it's partnering with Virgin Galactic (the company working to develop commercial spaceflights) a crazy collaboration actually makes sense.

According to a news release, the team is designing "plans for a space-apparel system for Virgin Galactic's pilots, future astronauts and the operations team in Spaceport America." So, essentially, they're working to create the real-life version of those Star Trek outfits. When regular people are getting launched into space, they're not going to wear flip flops, shorts, and a Hawaiian print shirt. They'll need something sleek, comfortable, functional, and, with Y-3 in the mix, stylish. The news release details the specifics of the clothing:

The Y-3 design team has paired the adidas brand's technical know-how and Y-3's directional approach to style with the use of advanced fabrics, special techniques and bespoke specifications to ensure fit, comfort and performance. This flight-suit is being designed to fully support a pilot's natural seating position as identified through a series of tests and trials with the Virgin Galactic pilot corps. Material engineering is key, as the flight-suit has been constructed from Nomex Meta Aramid materials through a 3D engineered pattern.The specially developed flight boot contains leather and Nomex materials and features advanced structural details for tailored functionally, including an outsole with TRAXION™ outsole lugs for ultimate grip and an adiPRENE® heel insert for comfort and shock absorption. These prototypes have reached a stage of maturity that will enable pilots to start trialing them in-flight during Virgin Galactic's flight test program, so that their feedback on such features and functionality can be integrated into a fully resolved and test-proven design.

Boldly going where no designer has gone before.

From US Esquire

From: Esquire UK