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...
Whether he accepts the accolade or not, Frodo Mikkelsen is a legend in the making. Still a few years shy of 50, the Copenhagen artist has achieved the pinnacle of what many fine art and graffiti-influenced forefathers often spend a lifetime attempting to balance— public visibility, respect from the streets, and recognition from the contemporary art world. Frodo has walked an incredible line. Some of his art resides in permanent collection at Metropolitan museum of art in NY, while other commissioned or self-propelled work graces walls from as far away as the Museum of Graffiti, Florida, Bergen kunstmuseum, Norway, and as close to home as, ARoS - Aarhus kunstmuseum, Denmark. While working with the artist in September, he was also...
Few sneakers have a more fascinating lineage than the classic Onitsuka Tiger Corsair. If you think there’s something familiar about this elegant retro racer then you’d be right. This was the jogging shoe of the early 70s. Layered like a sponge cake, nothing rivalled the comfort of the cushy sole unit. In fact, it was so good that a certain other sneaker brand couldn’t help but make their own carbon copy, but more about that later. Released for the 1969 Mexico Games, the brains behind the design was none other than Bill Bowerman, legendary Oregon track coach and jogging guru. Bowerman had sunk a chunk of change into a small Beaverton-based distribution company called Blue Ribbon Sports, which was run by one of his...
