Woolrich Taps Portland Product Werks for Footwear Entry

Woolrich has enlisted Portland Product Werks (PPW), a team of footwear veterans, to launch its debut footwear collection in Fall 2014. The brand has signed a long-term, global licensing agreement with PPW to design, source and distribute premium footwear and slipper collections for men and women.

The debut footwear collection, featuring several styles that are 100% made in the U.S.A. features extensive use of woven-in-the-U.S.A. wool produced in the historic Woolrich Mill in Woolrich, Pa. It’s the same mill that provided blankets to the Union soldiers in the Civil War and is credited with bringing the iconic Buffalo Check to generations of outdoorsmen dating back to the mid-1800s.

“As an extension of our commitment to quality, we have chosen the experienced footwear team at Portland Product Werks to bring the Woolrich brand to life in the premium footwear market,” said Nick Brayton, president of Woolrich, Inc. and seventh generation descendant of Woolrich founders. “The creative team at PPW has honored our heritage while bringing a distinctive personality to this collection that is unlike anything seen in the market.”

The entire footwear collection celebrates the storied Woolrich brand, says the company.

“Woolrich is the iconic American heritage brand – and a walk through its woolen mill in Woolrich, Pennsylvania is like stepping back in time,” said Carl Blakeslee, co-founder, designer and creative director at Portland Product Werks. “It’s this sentiment that inspired us to create a footwear collection filled with hand-crafted, innovative details that have a heritage authenticity that we felt was lacking in the market. The motto we used to guide the creative process is ‘make it worth making.’”

PPW will debut the entire Woolrich Footwear Fall 2014 collection at the upcoming FFANY tradeshow in New York, December 4-6, 2013. It will also be on display at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, January 22-25, 2014; and at Project in Las Vegas, February 18-20, 2014.

Interested retailers should contact Mike Mangiaracina at 630.707.9776 or mike@portlandproductwerks.com.