Ollie Olanipekun

A deep dive into GORE-TEX by Document Studios for SNS Illustration by Gangbox

In May 2020 Ollie conceived Flock Together. Alongside Nadeem Perara and a small team they deliver a monthly support club combatting the underrepresentation of black, brown and POC in nature. Originating in east London, there are now international Flock Together hikes, a Fila collab collection and the first FT book, ‘Outsiders’, is out later this year.

Can you remember the first time you heard about GORE-TEX, when and where was that?

I think the first time I heard anyone really talking about GORE-TEX on a cultural level would have been around 2007 and it would have been through either Jörg Haas at BeingHunted or Gary Warnett (RIP). But I would have first been introduced to GORE-TEX through Berghaus when they were the jackets to have in secondary school, this must have been around 1998. Growing up in the Midlands we were influenced by London as well as the North and the Northerners really know their outerwear with all that grim weather.

GORE-TEX is very much interlinked with functionality - what role does functionality and purpose play in your wardrobe?

My wardrobe is very functional, I'm probably quite OCD in regards to ensuring I've got the right gear for the activity. For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated with jackets and how they're constructed. The development over the years has been amazing to see, from the water proofing through seam technology and all the hood systems.

Have you ever come across GORE-TEX in another cultural expression, such as music or art?

Of course, in music. Growing up in the 90s I used to love seeing the coats and jackets worn by New York artists of the time. Helly Hansen and The North Face jackets were staples. At the time I probably wasn't aware of GORE-TEX’s specific role in the making of those pieces, though. I wasn't ever into Brit Pop but they definitely contributed to the style crossover waterproof jackets had.

How do you think GORE-TEX is seen culturally, as in beyond its pure technical qualities?

With the popularity of outdoor activities, and the gear that comes with it, I think GORE-TEX is now being recognised a lot more as a fundamental material. I believe there is still work to be done for it to be seen as more than just a technology. The problem it faces is that the brand using GORE-TEX will a lot of time be referenced before the material. 

When you’re out with Flock Together, how important is it to test yourself and your gear against weather conditions?

As a leader of the group, it’s essential for us to test ourselves and our gear to avoid any problems on the walk. The safeguarding that goes into outdoor activities is very important alongside being a good influence to all the beginners that attend our walks. For many the Flock Together walks are their first time experiencing outdoor activities in this way so there's a duty to educate.

Can you think of a particular day out that completely rained away and where GORE-TEX helped make a difference? 

My Burton AK with its triple layer GORE-TEX, which I've had for well over 10 years, has saved me on numerous occasions. Last year, in the Lake District, we got caught out on a hike and this was one of the most severe storms I had ever experienced. The wind and the rain came down like crazy and I was so impressed with how the GORE-TEX jacket coped with the gale force winds, as well as keeping me dry. The wind protection is something you think about as secondary.

To you, what brands and why use GORE-TEX best?

I think Stüssy has been great with its use of GORE-TEX because it brings in that element of personality. More variety in the silhouettes and great use of colour. I also was very impressed with how Paria Farzaneh used GORE-TEX and still created these amazing traditional patterns. 

Any brands out there you’d think benefit from working with GORE-TEX?

Birkenstock would be a great brand to get the GORE-TEX treatment. It’s a brand that has so much potential, and I think GORE-TEX would make the footwear more “always on” versus your house shoe or only a product for dry months.

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