At drirelease, innovation means “optimum performance with maximum comfort.” Seeking to honor far‐reaching solutions in performance apparel, Optimer Brands – the parent company of drirelease – has announced ExOfficio as the winner of its 2016 innovation award. Showcased at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market event in Salt Lake City, Utah, the award celebrates innovation in the design and construction of active wear that promotes the comfort of wearers.
Traditionally, travelers have had to choose between performance garments designed for outdoor activities, which lack style, or garments with the right style aesthetic, but missing the performance qualities needed to keep them comfortable and protected from the elements. The variety of men’s Teplo and women’s Milena performance sweater styles from ExOfficio offer the perfect layering item for urban travelers, keeping them protected while looking fashionable, said officials at Optimer.
“On behalf of drirelease, we are honored to present ExOfficio with the 2016 Innovation Award,” said Ashwin Jaju, General Manager of drirelease. “For more than a decade, we have been an innovation partner with ExOfficio, and are proud to provide support and collaborate on their best‐in‐class products, like these travel performance sweaters.”
“We knew we wanted to offer high-quality technical performance sweaters in our new urban travel collection because they could provide the protection of an outdoor performance piece, but with a polished look and feel that will give travelers a sense of confidence and style,” said Johanna Rundquist, design materials manager for ExOfficio. “It was a unique proposition that became a reality thanks to the collaboration with drirelease, and our retailers are thrilled with the result.”
Winners are selected and announced twice yearly by the drirelease team, based on a review of new or enhanced active wear products, featuring drirelease, across hundreds of global brands. drirelease congratulates these global brands – and their design and product development teams – working together to achieve greater performance through innovation.
ExOfficio’s winning entry can be viewed at drirelease booth #62028 at the OR Winter Market trade event in Salt Lake City, Utah January 7‐10, 2016.
