Smith’s Athlete-Driven Inspired Design Collection Winter 2015/16 Goggle Series
More than observe, at SMITH we participate in getting outside to push limits and
experience the thrill first hand. Insights are gathered and put to the test against the
toughest competition and in the harshest elements. No one knows this better than our
athletes. The Smith Inspired Design (ID) Collection lets our top athletes work directly
with our design team to create graphics that they’re proud to call their own.
The I/O 7 Kaleido goggle strap features original artwork by Sage Cattabriga-Alosa that
depicts a compass-inspired Mandala he created by using a shape-influenced
kaleidoscope effect and reflects spiritual and cultural symbolism. Desiree Melancon, who
journals through illustration everyday, also showcased her own imagery for her Squad
Padfoot strap with personal sketches of trees from her home in Bend, Oregon.
Full of wanderlust, Angel Collinson channeled her free-spirited thinking through the
iconography of the mysterious, cosmic powers of the Universe to create her I/O
Women’s Supernatural ID strap. Mark Abma’s strong beliefs into the healing and
industrial use of hemp were the inspiration for the SMITH design team to take an
extremely close look at photographs of the plant under an electron microscope from
Southern Illinois University to create the vibrant strap image on his I/OX Micrograph
model.
Scotty Lago, inspired by the rugged outerwear and traditional patterns of the American
West, collaborated with the SMITH design team to create the I/O 7 Lasso goggle strap
that evokes the wilderness he loves to escape into. Vintage textiles were also the
inspiration behind Austin Smith’s Vice Hand Knit goggle strap, reminiscent of old wool
patterning and reflecting subtle and quiet graphic imagery at Smith’s request.
Embodying the underdog spirit, David Wise has been climbing to the top of podiums
lately and his journey is accurately portrayed in the David vs. Goliath artwork by
Portland, OR-based artist and tattooist, Harry Lau who created the line work of Wise’s
I/OX Stone Throw goggle strap.
For the second year in a row, we paired snowboarder Xavier De La Rue with artist and
SMITH family-member, Axel Geitmann, to reflect the dark side it takes to descend the
crazy lines that Xavier rides in the new I/OX Sketchy goggle strap featuring finely-lined
pen and ink characters.
Elena Hight also spotlights her progressive personality of blending power and beauty
with her I/OS Safari strap featuring a modern ombre technique on a classic animal print.
In the spirit of honoring the history of SMITH during its golden anniversary, Scott
Stevens hand-selected a colorful graphic from the SMITH vault to celebrate his decadelong history of snowboarding with the brand in the neon Squad Archive 1991 model
while skier Bobby Brown chose a re-issue graphic from 1986 reflecting the clean and
classic lines of SMITH heritage in the I/O 7 Linear goggle.
The new SMITH ID Collection will be available at select retailers nationwide and online
at smithoptics.com beginning September 2015.
About SMITH:
Originating from Sun Valley, Idaho, SMITH was founded in 1965 with the invention of the
first snow goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. With 50
years of innovation and design experience, SMITH is widely known today as an industry
leader that pioneers advanced eyewear and helmets that incorporate dynamic
technologies, optimized performance and clean styling to fuel fun beyond walls. SMITH
seeks to power thrilling experiences in snow, surf, bike, fish and peak performance
outdoor adventures with a comprehensive collection that exudes modern style and
vibrant personality. To SMITH, the experience is everything.