The story of Fila began over 100 years ago when two brothers from the small town of Biella at the foot of the Italian Alps decided to open up a textile shop. The brothers, who were known for their entrepreneurial spirit and drive, sold quality sewing materials that quickly caught on with the locals.In time, they decided to expand their business into knitwear manufacturing in order to capitalize on their success. They created fine sweatshirts, scarves and jumpers which earned them a reputation as some of Italy's most innovative designers with reliable quality.By 1942, word had spread far enough that the brothers merged with Fila Fratelli and enjoyed another 25 years as leaders in knitwear production. But then came 1968...
Despite being founded in North Beach, San Francisco, The North Face is named after the coldest and harshest side of mountains in the northern hemisphere. Now more than 50 years old, the brand has not only grown to become one of the most reputable manufacturers of adventure gear, but has also managed to break into the fashion markets. Today, The North Face coats may be found up mountains and on the high street, evidence of a truly universal and versatile brand. The North Face: A History The early stages Started as a small retail and mail order operation, The North Face was founded by Doug and Susie Tompkins in 1964, only a few years prior to establishing Esprit....
From inventing the blue jean in 1873 to launching our Jacquard jacket in 2017, LS&Co. has always been an innovator in apparel. So it’s no surprise that in the 1960s we found a way to put a permanent crease into trousers — no iron required. The process was called STA-PREST™, and it was an immediate hit, becoming an iconic look of that era. Koret of California, a women’s garment manufacturer, first came up with the idea, patenting a system for permanent pleats in 1961. A finished product was coated with a chemical resin and a catalyst. Creases were made with a steam press and then the garment was baked (yes, baked!) in an oven at 300° Fahrenheit, triggering the catalyst...
There are other players in the workwear game, but few companies ever come even close to the iconic status that Carhartt has achieved in the popular culture, whether that be through their street-style innovations or the fact that they make great clothes for swinging a hammer when it’s really, really cold outside. Carhartt – History, Philosophy, and Iconic Products: The year 1889 was a time of steel, steam, and locomotives. It was also when Hamilton Carhartt & Company was founded by its namesake (known affectionately as “Ham”) and began producing overalls with two sewing machines and a half-horsepower electric motor in a small Detroit loft. Early failures led Hamilton to focus heavily on market research, and after talking directly with railroad...
With the Northern Hemisphere firmly in the throws of winter, you’re more than likely grabbing for the gear that will keep you warm and dry. As one clever soul once said, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing”, or something like that. You get the picture. Being caught out amongst a downpour on your morning coffee run or underestimating just how cold those morning frosts can be, categorically sucks. Chances are you’ll be feeling the cold and in a funk for the rest of the day. But if you did choose wisely, checked your weather app, picked you your go-to piece of outerwear and went head to head against the winter, it’s more than likely you’ll have...
