Heritage Brand Set for a Highly-Anticipated Homecoming

With a tight, core collection of clean, pared-down outerwear silhouettes and high-profile collaborations with streetwear giants DPM/MHI and Stussy overseas, Penfield’s US comeback is highly anticipated by in-the-know consumers looking for the next great thing in technical outerwear. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Penfield, the brand best known for down-filled outerwear that was established in Hudson, Massachusetts in 1975. The label had been on hiatus for more than a decade, but was revived in Europe in 2005.

The brand will launch in the US with core outerwear styles like the classic hooded Summit parka, available with fur trim or without and the Outback vest in an array of simple colors, plus more trend-driven styles like the ¾ length Anoka in clean nylon rip stop with a five button closure and the goose down Rockford jacket with snap flap chest pockets and lumberjack plaid, flannel chest yoke detail. Wool button down shirts, easy windbreakers, cargo pants, hats, gloves, scarves and bags round out the collection. Many of the styles are available in the Downstroke Camouflage print created specially for Penfield by masters of camouflage DPM. Inspired by a 1956 Belgian military pattern, DPM has replaced brushstrokes with feathers to represent the warmth and lightness of Penfield products – the results manifest in both an irresistible woodland color scheme and a tonal black on black. Retail price points for the collection range from $90-375 for outerwear and $30-90 for accessories and clothing.

Engineered to withstand the harsh conditions of a New England winter, Penfield products are made by people who know and love the outdoors. Across a range of down-filled outerwear, fleece, nylon windbreakers and cut and sewn items are the hallmark Penfield characteristics of durability, function and fashionable form. The brand has a long history of special collaborations and private label development. The Cape Heights factory (that produces Penfield products) has produced garments for LL Bean, EMS, Lands End and Cabelas. That tradition continues today with the brand’s ongoing DPM collaboration and exciting future collaborations across the top tier of directional streetwear.

PENFIELD FUSES 3X DRY WATERPROOF TECHNOLOGY AND STYLE FOR SPRING ‘08

For Spring 2008 the classic outerwear heritage brand combines waterproof technology and style. This season the Hopewell hoodie, a signature piece, comes in the 3X Dry functional finish and the DPM/Maharishi “down stroke camouflage” print. 3X Dry treatments combine two technologies into one textile. On the outside the textile is finished with a water repellent function, whereas the fabric’s inside absorbs perspiration. Then the perspiration is distributed over a large surface area and escapes to the outside. This technology ensures your clothes get dry in flash and is waterproof.

This Spring will be the last time we will see the DPM/Maharishi “down stroke camouflage” print. Penfield’s ongoing collaboration with the masters of camouflage, DPM/Maharishi, means we will see a new camouflage print every year. Everything from board shorts to sweaters will be available in this season’s “down stroke camouflage” print which was inspired by a 1956 Belgian military pattern. The feathers in are replacements for brushstrokes.

This season we will also see the return of Penfield’s Black Bear Series, which represents the pinnacle of outerwear technology and design. The garments incorporate Penfield’s exclusive PenTech3 three-layer fabric which is incredibly breathable, windproof, and waterproof. Black Bear Series garments are seam-sealed and waterproof by design and construction. This season, the Capulin jacket incorporated this technology with the classic style and comfort of a windbreaker.

Prices range from $38 to $156 retail, and can be purchased at specialty stores and better department stores nationwide. For more info, visit www.penfiledusa.com