Sailing4Woman...sailing gear designed specifically and only for female sailors. This product is not yet available in the United States, but the folks at Morpho have been kind enough to include me in the testing process as they prepare to launch their new line this Spring/Summer 2008
In fall of 2007, while working with Clay Burkhalter and Team Acadia in France, fellow Mini sailor Isabelle Joscke introduced a new line of gear being designed with the female form in mind. The brand is Sailing4Woman (S4W), a branch of French company MORPHO owned by Jean Marie Machelany. An avid sailor who sails with female crew on the waters of Lake Geneva, Switzerland; he hears their dissatisfaction for having to wear ill-fitting gear designed with a male in mind. In 2006 he made the decision to design gear with a female in mind.
Given my own sailing interest, this intrigued me. I have spend more money than I care to admit on sailing gear, trying most brands found in the US market. I've sailed in men's and women's versions of the men's, never truly finding the perfect fit, but making due or using non-sailing women's gear to fit the bill. Textile technology has greatly improved and the materials exist to create excellent gear for sailors, however the female form does pose a few challenges.
The gear Isabelle showed me was soft to the touch and at closer look, construction was given great thought. My curiosity led me to look up the brand further. I took the time to read the materials housed on the site regarding technology and eventually emailed Jean Marie for further information. Since beginning the correspondence with S4W, have received a few sample items to work with and a better understanding of their philosophy.
Passion for innovation and comfort...
The brand name MORPHO is sprung from the term morphology, which is the study of structure and form. Jean Marie's passion for winter sports and the comfort and safety of the human body (skiing and snowshoeing in the French Alps) initiated the brand name and its definition carries through to the S4W line. His number one goal is to remain true to the morphology of sports-women who love to sail. His hope is for women to identify with the brand and trust their best interest goes into the design of each garment.
The intention is clear when trying on the prototypes. I am currently working with the Gaia 3ML Offshore Jacket, 2-1 Lemanya 2.5ML Trousers and Hestia long sleeve base layer with integrated bra. These are samples and a few sizing issues here and there, but otherwise the fit, range of motion and comfort are stellar.
Please see below for my thoughts on the individual pieces:
I enjoyed the Hestia top immensely. The material is extremely soft and breathable with a flattering cut which should be favorable for most body types. I would honestly love one of each offered in the Spring/Summer line up!
The Lemanya Trousers where fun and have some ingenious features with regards to padding along the outer leg and stretch panels. They were very breathable and though myself and fellow testers had some issues specific only to the sample product, look forward to trying out the production piece when it becomes available.
The Gaia Jacket was a dream to wear and fellow testers who gave it a test run...had to keep close watch they returned the coveted piece! The shoulder range of movement in this piece is superior to ANY jacket I have EVER worn (I mean any jacket from skiing, mucking around town, etc.). Myself and testers had no trouble with weatherproofness or breath ability and though it was a sample, meaning the sizing was a bit off...this jacket will be in my gear bag till replaced with a production model.
I would have given anything to try the corresponding bibs, but sadly at the time, none were available for testing. I can not wait to get a hold of them!
Final thoughts...till I get my hands on more pieces (I hope!)
Though not currently available in the US, it is my plan to stay connected with the brand and continue to share my experience with the 2008 Spring/Summer line to those in the US and abroad.
