This Autumn the ethically Clothing brand Patagonia have been producing clothing for surfing, climbing, snow sports fly fishing and pretty much everyday life. Still wholly owned by the Chouinard Family, they have provided essential grants to hundreds of grassroots environmental organisations working hard to save or restore a revered patch of land or stretch of water, or to reconnect habitat and seasonal migration paths for wildlife.
Their brand ethos is the same today as it was 40 years ago and unfortunately differs from many companies current thinking, they believe, “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
To mark this milestone anniversary the brand are launching a limited edition collection. The Legacy collection features ten classic signature Patagonia pieces ranging the classic Retro X Fleece to the 80’s Summit pack. The capsule range was produced by interviewing company veterans about their original inspirations and re-inventing them utilising technological advances, in contemporary fabrics and updating fit and function, plus using recycled polyester and organic cotton in the garments.
Key pieces from the collection include, the Post foam back Cagoule, which like the original rain jacket, developed for British climbers back in the early 1960’s. The reincarnation is crafted from 21st Century Gore-Tex and it serves as a wearable rain shelter when confined to a ledge on a rocky mountain face or even scrambling to catch the night bus on the way home after a long and hard day at work. Or the reinterpretation of the early 80’s Summit Pack which sports accessory patches to carry your trusty ice axe, crampons or a foam pad form haemorrhoid protection on a cold belay ledge. The back pack’s simple design offers enough room to hold a sandwich, emergency rain gear and a good bottle of red wine when venturing into terrain accessed only y mountain goats.
