Williams and McGregor agree clothing deal

AT&T Williams have confirmed that McGregor, the premium fashion brand, is to be the official clothing partner of the team for the next three seasons. The partnership will involve the design and tailoring of completely new team uniform for the race and test teams, as well as a bespoke working clothing design for the company's 520 factory-based staff.

McGregor is part of the McGregor Fashion Group BV, which has grown to become one of the most successful fashion houses in the higher end market segment since it was founded in 1993. The McGregor Group comprises the McGregor, Gaastra, Dimaggio and Adam Menswear brands and employs 600 staff in Europe, has 3,000 multi-brand stores, 190 concessions and more than 100 own brand shops worldwide.

The McGregor brand will make its debut within the team environment with the opening test sessions of 2008. The fashion group's logo will feature on the cars, the drivers’ helmets and all team clothing. The new team uniform, which will be launched at the Australian Grand Prix in March, includes caps, trousers, jackets, shirts, jumpers, shoes, belts and luggage and will be designed using Williams’ traditional racing colours of blue and white. Also sporting the familiar colour combination will be the "Williams F1 by McGregor" spring collection for the consumer marketplace. Inspired by the new team kit, the exclusive collection will be launched in store in March 2008.

In addition to the design and supply of team uniform and the Williams F1 by McGregor range, the Dutch manufacturer will also be producing a Williams retro collection. Influenced by colours, logos and designs from the team's history, the iconic collection will be a commemorative reflection of the team’s sporting heritage, launched in a landmark year when Williams will celebrate 500 races and 50,000 raced laps in its thirtieth year in Formula One.

Of the new partnership, Jan Paul ten Hoopen, McGregor's Commercial Director, commented, "McGregor is proud to be the official clothing partner of one of the most successful Formula One teams. As Formula One's only team that exists solely to race, Williams, as McGregor, is a team associated with drive, enterprise, a strong heritage and a great chance of success in the future." He continued, "This partnership will enable us to place our continuous international growth on the fast track in countries such as the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Portugal while giving our brand image a powerful
boost."

Frank Williams, Team Principal of the AT&T Williams team, said, "I firmly stand behind McGregor's core ethos: No Future without Ambition. We are very proud to have as a partner such an inspired and international lifestyle brand as McGregor and I look forward to the undoubted contribution they will make to the highest standard of presentation for our personnel in the Formula One paddock this season and beyond."