ELHO FREESTYLE by DONALD SCHNEIDER
*Where Mountain Meets Urban Style
written SARAH ARENDTS
Under the theme Style Your Own Experience, ELHO Freestyle launched its highly anticipated Summer Collection. Merging outdoor performance with avant-garde design and bio-based materials, this new line specifically appeals to the style-conscious younger generation.
Donald Schneider, Creative Director of ELHO Freestyle, explained the concept in an exclusive interview with LE MILE Magazine: “Even though we are a 75-year-old heritage brand, we relaunched with a totally innovative new look to excite the new generation. Our products are designed for mountain performance yet suitable for everyday urban style. You can freely combine them—whether you're wearing hiking boots, high heels, sneakers, or flip-flops.”
ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection
ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection
Athlete-Inspired Innovation with Andri Ragettli
Freestyle Ski champion and social media sensation Andri Ragettli played an essential role in shaping this collection. Known for his daring stunts and distinctive style, Ragettli embodies the ELHO Freestyle spirit. According to Donald Schneider, "From our first conversation, it was clear how deeply Andri cares not only about his performance but also his style and appearance. He found that no existing outdoor brand truly catered to his aesthetic, even resorting to custom-made performance pants by a tailor."
This detailed feedback became instrumental in shaping ELHO’s products. For instance, Ragettli emphasized practical considerations like relocating ankle zippers to the outside of pants to withstand the wear and tear from high-impact freestyle skiing tricks. Andri Ragettli's hands-on involvement ensures each garment meets the rigorous demands of professional sports and urban fashion. The athlete rigorously tests each piece, wearing them during intense training and also during travel and city life, underscoring the collection’s versatility.
An Iconic Artistic Collaboration: Jean-Michel Basquiat
An extraordinary highlight of ELHO’s 2025 summer collection is the collaboration featuring the legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Renowned for his powerful, raw artistic expression, Basquiat’s iconic artworks have been translated into compelling black-and-white graphic prints on performance bomber jackets and shell pants. Donald Schneider reflects on the personal connection and inspiration behind the collaboration: “I knew Jean-Michel personally during my years in New York. His art remains incredibly impactful and resonates deeply with today's youth, who have rediscovered his pioneering spirit. His bold style perfectly complements our fusion of streetwear sensibility and outdoor functionality.”
The capsule includes standout pieces such as the Echo Bomber Jacket, distinguished by its bold black-and-white Basquiat print, creating statement looks that transition seamlessly from ski slopes to urban adventures.
Donald Schneider
Creative Director at ELHO Streetwear
seen by Henrik Nielsen
“Just look at how sports embraced urban style and innovative design—and it turned out to be their biggest revolution. We are convinced that this has to happen with outdoor wear too.”
Donald Schneider speaks with Sarah Arendts
for LE MILE .DIGITAL - Spring 2025
ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection
ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection
Sustainable Style: Durability Meets Ethical Fashion
Sustainability remains central to ELHO Freestyle’s design ethos. Rejecting fast fashion, the collection emphasizes longevity, durability, and the use of bio-based materials. Each piece, such as the ultralight Valley bomber jacket made from biobased nylon or the Zephir Pants inspired by traditional Japanese martial arts, is meticulously crafted from robust, eco-friendly materials sourced responsibly. These garments promise lasting quality, comfort and represent a conscious commitment to resource preservation.
The Return of an Iconic Heritage Brand
Donald Schneider, the visionary behind ELHO Freestyle's relaunch, brings an illustrious career in fashion innovation, previously serving as Art Director at French Vogue and pioneering global designer collaborations, notably Karl Lagerfeld x H&M. Schneider sees enormous potential in redefining outdoor apparel, which traditionally has struggled to embrace innovative style and urban aesthetics. “Our goal with ELHO Freestyle is clear: to reclaim our position as a pioneering brand,” Schneider explains. “Historically, ELHO was always ahead of its competitors, breaking conventional boundaries. Today, our ambition remains the same. We observe how sportswear has revolutionized urban style; now, it's time for outdoor apparel to undergo the same transformation. This is precisely the vision behind our current collection.”
ELHO Streetwear
Style Your Own Experience
Summer 2025 Collection
The market response has already been overwhelmingly positive, resonating especially with global tastemakers in cities like Seoul, Berlin, Zurich, and Paris. Influencers, stylists, musicians, and athletes alike have embraced the brand’s new direction, affirming its relevance and appeal. The ELHO Freestyle Summer Collection 2025 is available online!
discover more www.ELHOfreestyle.com
all visuals (c) ELHO Freestyle