France and New Zealand’s Eden Park brands unite

The confusion that sometimes arises from the names ‘Eden Park’ - used by both New Zealand’s largest sports stadium and a French high-end clothing company - may well be reduced as of today with the signing of a partnership agreement between the brands.

Playing the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final at Eden Park created a deep and enduring impact for French five-eighth Franck Mesnel so much so that when he and fellow French rugby great Eric Blanc later established a fashion brand they chose a name that embodied his and his company’s values, Eden Park.

Eden Park Paris has gone on to become a global lifestyle brand, mixing the flair of its founders with a commitment to quality and style.

With its range having never before been available in New Zealand, as of today, the signing of a partnership agreement between the two brands will change that.

Explaining how his retail brand respecting the Auckland venue, Mesnel, who starred in three World Cups for Les Blues, commented "personally, I am very proud.

"It is a huge honour to cement this partnership with Eden Park. For me, this ground represents an indelible memory - that of the final of the first Rugby World Cup against the greatest players in the world, the All Blacks. Today, Eden Park is still with me on a daily basis.

"Since the very inception of our company, which now numbers 200 people and a worldwide network of some 600 points of sale, we remain totally committed to the values of rugby, and to showing our utmost respect for the name of your iconic stadium.

"I want to say a huge thank you to Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner and his team for being so welcoming as to make us part of the Eden Park family.”

Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner noted "Eden Park is an iconic stadium and we’re delighted to collaborate with premium lifestyle clothing brand, Eden Park Paris. Over 120 years of history have taken place here at the Fortress, including some of New Zealand’s most significant sporting moments: hard-fought battles, thrilling victories, and unforgettable moments. We are looking forward to collaborating with Franck Mesnel and the Eden Park Paris team, bringing this association to life. The relationship between Franck and the stadium is special.

"We’re aware of how revered our venue is globally, and for the stadium to share a name with a French clothing company halfway across the world speaks volumes about the impact that Eden Park has on the individuals who are fortunate enough to experience our hallowed turf. We are excited about the future possibilities for collaboration between New Zealand’s national stadium and Eden Park Paris."

Mesnels love for New Zealand, its rugby, and its people saw him outbid all others in the auction of Eden Park’s goalposts when the venue underwent renovation in 2010, raising funds for the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.

Mesnel had the posts, used in the 1987 final, shipped back to France, where parts of them were fashioned into commemorative limited-edition trophies. He would later present one to each member of the 1987 World Cup-winning All Blacks side.