Based in Berlin, Acronym is a design agency and techwear brand that has been redefining the sports and technical apparel industry for over two decades. Acronym’s design-led approach leaves no room for compromises, resulting in sleek, monochromatic garments that are as versatile as they are durable. Donned by pop culture and sports icons such as Drake, John Mayer, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the elusive brand continues to fuel public demand for its products, which seamlessly blend luxury and streetwear.
Acronym began by working with top-tier clients such as Nike, Arc’teryx, and Burton. In 2002, the brand launched its first official collection bearing the Acronym name, and with only 120 packaged sets released, the limited edition made a powerful impression on the industry. The same year, Time Magazine named an Acronym-designed snowboard jacket one of the best inventions of 2002.
Merging cutting-edge technologies with streetwear and high fashion, the brand has established itself within a luxury niche of its own. Acronym’s enigmatic, minimalist allure can be traced back to co-founder Errolson Hugh’s childhood in Alberta, Canada, where he grew up in his architect parents’ design studio. Shaped by the region’s brutal winters, Hugh wanted to create garments capable of withstanding the harshest environments, and, as a dedicated karate practitioner, he was inspired by the gi’s stripped-down functionality. Echoes of the no-frills martial arts uniform, prized for its durability and freedom of movement, remain evident in every meticulously crafted, limited-edition Acronym piece.
The 2014-2018 collaboration with Nike cemented Acronym’s position in the industry, but the company resisted the allure of fast growth, remaining true to its roots and rejecting external influences. As explained by Hugh, what led to Acronym’s initial success is “doing their own thing” with no shares or market pressures affecting the purity of design. In addition, the company’s close ties to the art world have long fueled its independence and creative vision — a connection which in 2015 led to a collaboration with a legendary graffiti artist, Futura.
Acronym’s distinctive designs have appeared in both Hollywood films and video games, including the 2017 action hit, Ghost in the Shell. In 2020, celebrating the release of the PlayStation Game, Death Stranding, Acronym created an official version of the J1A-GT Jacket. Retailing at around $1,900, the design sold out in minutes.
Delivering Acronym’s vision of futuristic techwear calls for the best fabrics and components, which is why the 2025 2L overcoat is built around a core of Climashield® continuous filament insulation and covered with a shell of 2-layer Gore-Tex Infinium™ Windstopper®. Described by its creators as “a floating cloud fortress of winter well-being,” the overcoat is built with 180 separate pattern pieces connected with the highest quality stitching. Thanks to its ergonomic, oversized shape, the 2L fits over any outfit, enveloping the wearer in a bubble of breathable warmth. The front storm flaps and collar, the fully taped stowable storm hood, and the internal waist gaiter are winter-ready. When the early spring sun comes out, a patented, obscured jacket sling allows the garment to be carried comfortably when not worn.
The minimalist and timeless overcoat can be worn zipped up or simply tied around the waist with a martial arts inspired, minimalist belt. Timeless in design and uncompromising in construction, the coat pairs a simple oversized silhouette with high-performance materials like Climashield® insulation — built for long term use.
In a market saturated with fleeting trends, Acronym and its designs will continue to stand apart, redefining techwear with a vision of uncompromising functionality.
