The Pop Trading lot are back at it again. They’ve recently unveiled their collaboration with family-run Dutch brand, Martens Martens. Who is/are Martens Martens I hear you say? Well, I’m glad you’ve asked because we weren’t 100% sure on it either.
Martens & Martens was started by a man with the surname Martens, funnily enough. His full name being Karel Martens, a Dutch icon in graphic design and typography. Karel is celebrated for his trailblazing contributions to visual communication, pushing the boundaries of typography, colour, and form. His lengthy career is marked by a commitment to radical simplicity and precision, combined with an experimental approach to design. Whether it’s book covers, posters, or brand identities, Karel’s work embodies a refined balance of artistry and function.
The reason that the company is called Martens and Martens, and not just Martens, is because Karel’s daughter, Klaartje Martens, is also heavily involved in the brand.
So, the family duo have worked alongside Pop Trading Company to produce a skatewear collection featuring Karel’s bold designs, they’ve also got him to model some of the garb which is a nice touch. The result of the collaboration is a colourful and vibrant set of gear, I guess you could say it pops.
One of the key items from the collection is a set of bandanas featuring portraits of the Pop Skate Team, so if you feel a real sense of attachment to any of them you can show this by tying one around your head. We suppose alternatively you could use one as a handkerchief if you have a particular distaste for any of the members. Although we doubt anyone would do this, they seem like a nice bunch.
Other bits from the collection in order of most crazy looking to least crazy looking – a bright purple zip-up Harrington-sort-of jacket and a pair of white trousers with little symbols all over them. Then there’s a shirt with the same all-over print alongside a more plain but still lovely-looking hoodie and a T-shirt.
Oh yeah, the two brands have also invited SUBU to the mix to create a pair of mule things. They look properly comfy, and something about them reminds us of Super Mario 64.
The whole collection is definitely worth running your eyes over, and perhaps your wallet too. If you do want to do that, the collection is able to be purchased from here.
