Is Chanel Snowboards a good move for Nidecker?
Ok so I’m a little late on this subject but I just wanted to find out people thoughts. I knew Nidecker amongst other collaborations (Yes & Jones) had been doing some work with Chanel, the French fashion house responsible for some of the finest couture fashion and female eau du perfume on the planet. However, until last night I hadn’t even considered posting a blog on it.
There I was late last night scanning through the overly priced second hand snowboard graveyard commonly known as Ebay for a 170cm freeride board to turn into a split touring board (more on this project as it develops), when I came across what looked like a Nidecker Ultralight rebranded with Chanel insignia. “This is a very cool and much sought after snowboard so grab yourself a bargain at a fraction of the original cost”, the add explained. Now I don’t pretend to be a fashionista (I buy my underwear from Marks & Spencer) but £1000 for a second hand Ultralight which costs about 40% less brand new is a little steep, so I decided to investigate a little. It turns out that Chanel’s, to quote the website “resin, wood and fibreglass” snowboard costs in the region of $2,750. I guess I am missing the point a little, products like these aren’t designed for your average consumer, they are the domain of billionaire Russian oligarchs who potter around Courchevel for a week over the New Year and the latest hot shot ecommerce playboys drinking vintage champagne like it’s out of fashion in one of Aspen’s exclusive venues. One thing is for sure, I wouldn’t want to get a ski pole scratch across the top of it or have some pesky grom delam the tail in an attempt to snake the lift line.
My question to you, the reader is; does this collaboration reflect badly on Nidecker or is business just business? Would it be hypocritical on the one hand to slate Nidecker for working with Chanel and then go riding with an Adidas / Burton collaboration Jacket and a brand new Paul Smith designed Burton Vapor under some tasty Nike Zoom Force 1 boots?
Posted by Rich Ewbank in Blog & News.
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on January 10, 2011 at 03:05 PM
But what are Bitch Boards going to do now that someone is actually pandering to the fashion label crowd? :)
I don’t see any issue with buying one if you want it, even though it costs five times as much as the non-global brand variant.
After reading this, I opened up a tab for eBay and had a gander for Chanel boards. They seem alright - being NiDeckers they should be! - but the descriptions are funnier than the cost:
“Slice the powder with outstanding elegant style. Carving down the piste is great fun but most snowboards simply aren’t very attractive. The Chanel snowboard bridges the gap between fun and style with all-natural wooden planks and monochrome stripes all emblazoned with Chanel logo - a definite attention-getter.
Own the Chanel snowboard that differ themselves from regular pop-art graphics with classic Chanel touches. Stay a class above the rest in terms of skills and looks this season and get your very own Chanel snowboard to shred through the powder. “
Would love to see the first video part with someone using a chanel board!
on January 10, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Haha, if Chanel puts Bitch Boards out of business then Nidecker’s involvement can only be positive!
Maybe you could pair it with a D&G ski mask (goggles to you and I): http://www.dolcegabbana.com/deg/limited-edition/ski-mask/#gallery
on January 10, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Those goggles are faaaaaaaaahbulous daaaaaahling.
And you can team up the D&G and Chanel with a bit of prada: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/powder-blue-PRADA-gortex-Ski-Snowboard-Snowsuit-medium-/160505248219
on January 24, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Rich you have a PM…
on January 24, 2011 at 10:56 PM
you mean my skunk ape isn’t attractive???????
on January 31, 2011 at 01:20 AM
Haven’t posted for a while but couldn’t resist putting in my two Penney’s worth on this one.
As long as there are rich people, with more money than sense and (oddly enough) the need to show other people that they have more money than sense there will be stuff like this to buy.
I suppose I shouldn’t forget people who don’t really have the money to burn but want other people to think they do. Bling, bling baby. Personally, I would quietly sneer at anyone stupid enough to drop an extra grand.5 for a logo!!! But I would give a nod to someone who stenciled the logo themselves (with irony) I like what Nidecker do and don’t think the collab’ matters much even if it does kind of sting. As long as they don’t go “branded” and start putting out lame product at inflated prices I will continue to like and want what they make. Reminds me of the Burton debate a while back.
We are all snobs. We put this thing that we love on a pedestal and we are sensitive to anyone getting into it that we don’t think belongs. We want to keep this a “Not just about cool & cash” thing.
If Nidecker sells out I won’t buy it. But times are hard and if fleecing one ore two oligarchs keeps them from being wiped out buy Burton or Saloman I’m ok with that.
That being said. If they did that board at a “real” price and swapped the chanel logo for a nice nidecker one inlaid in copper I’d probably buy it.
on February 04, 2011 at 08:50 PM
really fun! Can’t wait to see miss Hilton riding down the hill.