VF Corp has been taking a brand beating lately. First the EPA was out to get the Company and now an activist group called Health Care for America Now. The group handed out the leaflets above at stores and malls across numerous States on Friday to try and inform the public about the link between VF Corp and Obama's health care reform.
New French company PICTURE was founded by three friends who wanted to develop a line of organic, ethical and technical clothing that would reflect their values of riding hard and protecting the planet. The PICTURE line includes men's and women's T-shirts, shirts and hoodies, technical jackets and pants, and accessories such as snow beanies.
Fashion designer Quoc Pham decided to merge his love of sport with his fashion degree and designed his first urban bike shoe line this year. Sleek and elegant, Quoc Pham urban bike shoes are made for the stylish rider, hopping on and off the bike, and going in and out of public places.
New action sports brand Deliver Clothing is getting ready to make a splash at ispo this winter. The Bavarian brand started off as a design school project but now the team are trying to turn Deliver Clothing into a proper action sports brand for the snow, skate and bmx scene. Deliver Clothing's mission is to encourage individuality and to help bring unique pieces into your everyday action sports life.
Canadian outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) announced yesterday the launch of their own brand bike line. A couple of years ago, MEC commissioned a bike study from their members and found that almost 90% owned a bike, 30% planned to buy new bikes and 75% wanted MEC to get into the own brand bike business. So here they are, but not without controversy. The bicycling industry of Canada seems to be worried about MEC opening their own bike stores and service centers, potentially putting smaller bike stores out of business.
Last night I was lucky enough to get a peek at life inside the new Mountain Hardwear Headquarters in Richmond, CA during our Outdoor Industries Women's Coalition evening. Mountain Hardwear moved into part of the 517,000 square foot Ford Point complex less than two years ago. Built by Albert Kahn in 1930, this former Ford Motor assembly plant is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This solar powered office is full of natural light, with floor to ceiling windows and numerous skylights, one of Kahn's architectural trademarks.
