(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
After yesterday’s news that Joe Fresh is making new Scouts Canada uniforms, it wasn’t a shock to see wilderness looks in its spring show last night. Navy turtlenecks, slim-fitting button-downs and even cigarette pants were decorated with merit badges (proficiency in budget shopping, perhaps?). In menswear, khaki shorts with red trim, loafers (with socks) and olive shirts echoed our childhood scout uniform—though this time around, we wouldn’t throw a tantrum every time we put them on.
Nostalgia for the days of yore continued with a slew of tennis looks, which were hinted at in the opening video, a scene from Brideshead Revisited. Women wore short skirts and V-neck sweaters, while the men channelled Rene Lacoste in short shorts and whites. Scouting, plus tennis, plus the touches of ’80s style (like the oversized open-weave knit sweater and the high-necked blouse tied with a bow) made the evening play like a scene from a modern-day Troop Beverly Hills. Is it too late for us to rejoin the Scouts?
See the full Joe Fresh show in our slide show >>
Altough I applaud Scouts Canada refreshing the uniform, I cannot really state this was a good thing. Their new supplier, Joe Fresh, has their production centers in the cheaper offshore labor markets, most notably China and almost 100% not likely to be ISO 14001. At least the previous Canadian supplier was better regulated. Can Scouts Canada certify that the new uniforms were not made with prison labour?
April 5, 2011 at 2:07 pm | by Bob PlaidPrison labour is not the only concern. Any clothing purchased by an organization espousing environmental ideals and good citizenship must by its own values purchase only that which is made by non-exploited labour with a minimal carbon footprint. If the tag says anything other than ‘Made in Canada’ beware – your child’s clothing may have been made by a child working in horrific, abusive conditions.
July 21, 2011 at 2:41 am | by M. Meijer“On my honour, I promise that I will do my best, To do my duty to God and the Queen, To help other people at all times, And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law.”