Kelly Slater Developing Own Brand
Surfing superstar Kelly Slater has announced he is ending a 23-year partnership with Quiksilver in order to develop his own brand. The 42-year-old revealed the news himself in a modest post on his Facebook page. The statement praised Quiksilver and the time he has been linked with them. “As a brand and on a human level, they have been a part of my life, career, and personal relationships for more than 23 years now, well over half my life,” Slater’s words read. He went on to add that he was looking forward to creating his own brand. “For years I’ve dreamt of developing a brand that combines my love of clean living, responsibility and style. The inspiration for this brand comes from the people and cultures I encounter in my constant global travels.” Quiksilver Executive Chairman Bob McKnight replied, describing the long running deal as “an incredible journey”. Clothing and accessories giant Kering is behind Slater’s new line. The group is no stranger to supporting big names, also working with Christopher Kane, Puma and Balenciaga. The American World Tour Champion has been part of the professional surfing circuit since 1990 when he was 18 years old. Since then he has performed in around 54 competitions, winning 11 titles, his last in 2011. According to reports, the move to drop Quiksilver came after the brand stopped developing VSTR, the brand created with Slater in 2012. The debut range, full details of which are yet to be announced, is expected to reflect the athlete’s casual style, incorporating t-shirts, shorts and chinos. No stockists have been confirmed, however Slater’s website is currently under construction, hinting at a possible e-commerce platform.
