One of this generations most iconic pieces of clothing is the C.P. Company ‘Mille Miglia’ goggle jacket. Originally created as a gift by Massimo Osti as part of his labels sponsorship involvement in the 1988 Thousand Mile (Mille Miglia) Italian road race, this jacket has evolved to become one of the most complete and famous designer coats in existence today.
Season after season, the now legendary goggle jacket has been subject to continuous transformations and experimentations. Since its conception, C.P. Company have spent the past two decades researching and developing new materials for the Mille Miglia as well as creating over 60,000 dyes in their specialised colour laboratory to be used in the constantly reworked goggle jacket. It is through the brands commitment to deliver formality with function, technical facets with minimal fashion that the goggle jacket has developed into such an exceptional piece today.
To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the goggle jacket, C.P. Company have collaborated with Aitor Throup to recreate the timeless classic which includes built in goggles, a watch porthole, detachable gloves and even a body segment that adjusts as you sit in your car. Constructed to celebrate both the past and future of the Mille Miliga the design is based specifically around the human form in a driving position as was the original jacket. Throup himself states the basis of his reworking has been "to take Massimo Osti’s classic back to the race itself; taking a literal approach to driving ergonomics and functionality, with the aim of creating a piece which is even further informed by its driving concept than the original".
To add this modern twist, Throup uses a Tinto Terra 3 layer Gore-Tex performance shell, a fabric recently developed to keep the wearer warm and dry through the multiple conditions encountered during a road race – something drivers could only have dreamt of in 1988. Having taken the jacket back to basics yet making it innovatively futuristic Throup encompasses all aspects of the brands history and technological advances making it the stand out piece for this season and many more to come, whether this limited edition jacket be worn on the open road, the terraces of European football stadiums or simply for the urban commuters 9 – 5 this is one of the most desired Mille Miliga to date.
Words: Sanyika Odieté