Honda launches heritage-collection clothing line

If a Honda Accord or Civic, or maybe even a Goldwing motorcycle, isn't enough of a fashion statement for you, Honda has a new line of clothes rolling out this spring. The Honda Heritage Clothing Collection debuted with a launch party and fashion show this week in Los Angeles.

Capitalizing on the vintage T-shirt trend, Honda's new collection includes tees, shop shirts, shrunken sweatshirts and tote bags branded with graphics inspired by the carmaker's logos and advertising campaigns of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Honda also is reimagining some of the clothing the company produced during its first venture into apparel. In the 1970s, it turned out branded shirts, jackets and accessories.

"Honda is excited to celebrate its heritage by re-creating styles and accessories from the past," said Steve Center, vice president of American Honda's national marketing operations. "We hope that fans of Honda and vintage clothing will celebrate with us through the Honda Heritage Clothing Collection."

American Honda Motor Co. launched in a small Los Angeles storefront in 1959, and its original logo with that first store's address comes stamped on a selvage denim tote, a button-down, waxed-denim shop shirt and a cotton sweatshirt and T-shirt. A slouchy women's sweatshirt comes emblazoned with a 1985 Honda Scooter Maniac logo. Other T-shirt designs include a 1973 Civic Hatchback ad, an image from a 1974 Civic sales brochure and distressed emblems for the 1971 Z600 coupe and the Super Cub bike.

In the future, Honda plans to expand the collection to include leather jackets, nylon racing jackets, windbreakers and re-creations of items from its apparel archive. All items are made in Los Angeles.

"American Honda was founded in Los Angeles, and the fact that these pieces are being designed and produced by partners in Los Angeles is a perfect fit for these historic pieces," Center said.

Tees are available now at www.lockerloop.com from $39.50. The full line will be available this spring online and at select retailers.

By Julie Alvin