Mille Miglia by CP Company
by Tom Stubbs4 November 2008 - Online exclusive
Legendary Italian road race inspires clothing innovators to create jacket.
The Mille Miglia goggle jacket was first launched by CP Company twenty years ago. I remember them being a rare piece to even clap eyes on, never mind seeing one for sale. Things are different now, and Italian House makes many versions of this classic, neigh iconic piece of casual kit.
The jacket was designed as a tribute to the Mille Miglia endurance race and its dare devil gentleman drivers. The race began in 1927 and ran from Brescia to Rome and back in 1009 mile circuit. Conditions would often get treacherous in the super fast open top sports cars, so a field jacket that would protect the race while delivering comfort and practicality was devised. Stirling Moss holds the course record for his 10 hour 8 minute time recorded in a Mercedes 300 SLR in 1955, (not a 900 SLR as specified by the pillock in video).The race was stopped in 1957 for safety reason after an accident, involving a couple of fatalities.
Various manifestations of the jacket exist including leather, rip stop, earth dyed and dynafil, (an oil and water resistant fabric). All versions boast the distinctive goggle hood.
CP Company are garment crusaders, taking ideas and details from a huge archive of uniforms and technical gear, and combining it with their quest for new ways of tackling clothing. Style is as important as performance to them, hence the unique territory brand occupies. CP clothing has a wonderful feel and finish to it, and exudes a feeling of being born of both true practicality and aspiration. Visit the web site and behold prestige casual jacket masters at work. CP Company, this committed dresser salutes you.
The Mille Miglia goggle jacket – CP Company www.cpcompany.co.uk |
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SS ‘007
Military green blouson in polyester Batavia. Zip-closed slanting pockets. Breast patch with zip-closed side opening and breast pocket with snap-closed lapel. Zip on sleeve bottom and adjustable strap on wristbands. Removable Mille Miglia hood. Closed by profiled zip in cotton tape |
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AW ‘003′004 39184D64 71°10′21” Mud-coloured parka in heavy impregnated hemp, fur-trimmed hood which can be adjusted to fit face using a drawstring, with two inserts with lenses and aeration holes that completely protect the face. |
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AW ‘003_’004 39184461 Mille Miglia. Sand–coloured field jacket in resin-coated and washed moleskin, four folded pockets on front, internal drawstring at waist, detachable hood with goggles that can be adjusted to fit the face using a drawstring, detachable quilted nylon lining with reverse sheepskin over-collar and inlays to match fastenings, cuffs with adjustable side zips. Garment dyed. £895 |
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January 12th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I Have a mille miglia from 1995. How much is it worth ?
May 25th, 2009 at 3:07 am
Just out of intrest the jacket he has on in the video any idea what season it is or where I can get one, thanks.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
were can a get a 2009 spring and summer range jacket from
October 8th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Dear Mille Miglia and CP Company fans,
sorry have neglected a couple of queries on this subject. First off, can you believe it, but the actual Mille Miglia race has now claimed back its name for various reasons, and one is supposed to refer to the CP coat as the goggle jacket. Ironic after spending twenty years in retail and in print correcting people about it. I think I might persist with the original name frankly. As far as getting hold of old season (we are now into AW 2010), you might be best looking on ebay, or perhaps posting a request on http://www.found-nyc.com , the CP Company community and forum.
At this juncture I must hold my hands up and apologise for saying that Carlo Rivetti founded CP. I thought he founded it and Massimo Osti was first designer. Carlo just enlightened me and explained that Osti founded it and he got involved not long after in running the company.
Sorry all involved and especially Sig. Osti, RIP.
Important CP news info: an exhibition is to be curated by Aitor Throup and to be held at the RCA on 23rd and 24th October. log on to http://www.cpcompany.co.uk for info about competition they’re running. Twenty years of the famous goggle style will be documented in an engaging physical installation that houses twenty examples of the piece including Aitors 20 year anniversary jacket. A must for enthusiasts and goggle mentalists alike.
Stubbs.