As CORDURA® brand celebrates its 50th Anniversary and Carhartt rings in 128 years manufacturing American-made workwear, we take a moment to reflect on the durable bonds binding the two brands together. Since Hamilton Carhartt founded Carhartt in Detroit in 1889, the headquarters has only moved 10 miles, a location from which members of the family still run the company and the apparel is designed. Over the past 15 years, the Carhartt facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee have made more than 80 million garments and accessories, positioning the brand as a leader in stateside production of rugged workwear.
When Carhartt introduced CORDURA® fabrics into their commercial line in the fall of 1998, it was a defining moment for both iconic brands. We had the opportunity to speak with Carhartt Brand Archivist and Historian Dave J. Moore as part of the Meet the Maker series about some of the early products made strong with CORDURA® fabric. He noted that the 1998 Carhartt Extremes line featuring CORDURA® fabric, including coveralls, bib overalls and outerwear, are still in today’s Extremes product line 19 years later. Speaking from a historical perspective, Moore believes the introduction of the Extremes line with CORDURA® was a huge moment of innovation and evolution for Carhartt. “It was the logical next step to upping the game on our Arctic Wear. “CORDURA® fabric really took the Extremes line to the next level.”
Moore also tracked down an article from the archives published in 1999 detailing why Carhartt incorporated CORDURA® brand fabrics into the Carhartt Extremes cold weather line:
“When we explored expanding our product line, we chose CORDURA® as the best material out there,” explains Mike Majsak, former Director of Marketing. “It is extremely durable and holds up very well against abrasion and tearing. Its tight weave also pairs nicely with our water‐resistant coating to repel water and resist wind,” he continued. “We’ve really met and exceeded the expectations of our customers with this product addition.”
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of CORDURA® and the 100th anniversary of Carhartt’s iconic chore coat, the brands have collaborated on two special-edition styles, a chore coat and an apron, each featuring CORDURA® brand MultiCam® fabric. “CORDURA® fabrics have long played an important role in the makeup of Carhartt’s most durable products,” said Deb Ferraro, Vice President of Product Development at Carhartt. “Both brands are actively building upon a relationship that spans nearly two decades, and this collaboration is a testament to two rugged brands, which together create enduring products for hardworking people.”
Bringing the heritage-meets-innovation story full circle, CORDURA® is combining its cutting-edge, built to last fabric technologies with inspiration from the past to create the next generation of long-lasting fabric solutions for those who Live Durable™.
For more info on the history of CORDURA® fabrics, head to www.cordura50years.com.
This article was originally published in RANGE Magazine Issue Seven.
