The Henri-Lloyd Consort RWR: Offshore Spirit, Street Icon

The Consort RWR (Round the World Race) Jacket, launched in 1987, is a bold reinterpretation of Henri-Lloyd’s most famous design.

The Consort RWR (Round the World Race) Jacket, launched in 1987, is a bold reinterpretation of Henri-Lloyd’s most famous design, the Consort Original. While the original Consort became legendary on the high seas, the RWR was created to bring the energy of offshore adventure into everyday life.

With its mix of racing-inspired details and Italian design flair, the RWR captured the spirit of round-the-world sailing and translated it into a cultural icon, bridging performance heritage with fashion-forward style.

A Redesign with Purpose

The Consort RWR was the brainchild of renowned Italian designer Olmes Carretti, who reimagined Henri-Lloyd’s technical Consort jacket for a new audience. Rather than competing with offshore smocks and oilskins, the RWR celebrated the legacy of ocean racing through a more urban, style-conscious lens.

Carretti’s updates featured deeper raglan sleeves for ease of movement, corduroy-lined collars and trims for comfort and contrast and refined pockets designed as much for everyday practicality as for the deck.

These innovations marked a turning point, retaining the DNA of a sailing icon while transforming it into a jacket that could be worn anywhere.

Inspired by the Whitbread Era

The 1980s saw the Whitbread Round the World Race capture global attention. Crews faced unimaginable conditions, and Henri-Lloyd’s technical gear was trusted offshore. The Consort RWR didn’t set out to be worn in that environment - instead it channelled the same adventurous spirit and gave it form in a jacket that resonated far beyond the marina.

Wearing the RWR was about belonging to that world of endurance and exploration, even if your race was through the city rather than across the Southern Ocean.

From Italy to the UK — A Cultural Icon

While rooted in sailing heritage, the Consort RWR’s greatest legacy came ashore. In Italy, it became a key piece in the wardrobes of the Paninaro youth subculture, following the Consort Original, adopted for its bold colours, premium quality and authentic sailing connection. By the late 1980s and 90s, its influence spread to the UK, particularly in coastal towns and rain-soaked cities where Henri-Lloyd’s reputation for technical performance already carried weight.

The RWR symbolised confidence, identity and a connection to the world of sailing - even for those who never set foot on a yacht.

Evolution and Modern Legacy

Across the decades, the Consort RWR has been reissued and reinterpreted, always keeping its balance of heritage and style intact. Today’s versions honour Carretti’s design while embracing modern priorities including recycled nylon fabrics that reduce environmental impact, PFC-free DWR finishes that provide water-repellent performance responsibly and updated fits and detailing that make the jacket contemporary while staying true to its roots.

Browse the Icon Collection

Shop Icons

Person wearing Henri-Lloyd waterproof jacket and cap standing near water

Front view of Henri-Lloyd waterproof jacket with hood up.

Viking Smock - Acid Yellow $375.00

Available in 3 colours

Person smiling while standing on a sailboat wearing a navy blue jacket with high collar.

Navy blue jacket with front zipper, high collar, and ribbed cuffs, displayed on a plain background.

Jib Jacket - Navy Blue $335.00

Available in 2 colours

Consort RWR Jacket - Washed Yellow $502.00

Available in 3 colours

Consort Original Jacket - Navy Blue $445.00

Available in 2 colours

More than a Jacket

The Consort RWR is not offshore armour, it never set out to be. Instead, it is a piece of clothing that distilled Henri-Lloyd’s pioneering heritage into a style statement. It represents the meeting point of two worlds: the grit of offshore racing and the confidence of urban culture.

From Milan to Manchester, from yacht decks to city streets, the RWR remains one of Henri-Lloyd’s most recognisable icons. Its story is a reminder that innovation doesn’t only live at sea - sometimes it comes ashore and becomes part of culture itself.