Oakley and Gore Work Together to Create Line of Specialized Garments and Accessories for Fall 2011
ELKTON, Md. (January 10, 2011) – W.L. Gore & Associates (“Gore”) (www.gore.com), inventor of GORE-TEX® high performance fabric technologies for protection and comfort, today announced that it will join forces with Oakley, Inc. (“Oakley”) (www.oakley.com) to create a line of “tech outerwear” for snow sports enabled with the GORE-TEX® brand slated to hit retail stores globally for Fall 2011. This line of specialized garments and accessories will be distributed primarily through Oakley’s own “O” stores, along with certain specialty retailers throughout North America and Europe next year.
“Oakley and Gore share a similar vision of creating technologically-advanced products for world-class athletes that push the boundaries of innovation and exceed conventional industry standards,” said Yvonne Erikson, Marketing leader at Gore. “We’re looking forward to a long partnership with Oakley and working with another company focused on the science behind creating performance products that will enhance the users comfort and protection.”
The line will include a broad spectrum of garments and accessories, including an expansion of the ProRider series inspired and tested by Oakley athletes, and designed to handle all of the conditions skiers and boarders will face on the mountain. Pro Rider Seth Morrison will be wearing the Sethmo Jacket (MSRP $500) and Sethmo Pant (MSRP $400), both featuring
3-Layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell, along with the Sethmo Soft Shell Jacket (MSRP $230), featuring WINDSTOPPER® brand technology. Pro Rider Jake Blauvelt will be wearing the Choice Jacket (MSRP $500) and Choice Pant (MSRP $350), both featuring 3-Layer
GORE-TEX® Pro Shell. Additionally, Oakley is offering the Sworn Jacket (MSRP $360), and the “Tangent” Pant (MSRP $280) in 2-Layer GORE-TEX® Performance Shell. All items will be available August 1, 2011.
For accessories, Gretchen Bleiler will be wearing the "The Claw" glove (MSRP $90) on the women’s side while the men's side will include two leather glove styles, the "No Exit Glove" (MSRP $130) and "Winter Assault Glove" ($100). In addition, Oakley will be offering the "Basic beanie” with WINDSTOPPER® fabric (MSRP $28), which fits under a helmet, and the "Bandido facemask" with WINDSTOPPER® fabric (MSRP $35). A lightweight WINDSTOPPER® glove (MSRP $40) that is ideal for spring skiing or touring, completes the line. All items will be available August 1, 2011.
Oakley will be showing their new line at Snowsports Industry America (SIA)’s SnowShow
(Booth 1132, 1135) Jannuary 27-30, 2011, in Denver, Colorado, (http://www.snowsports.org/) and at ISPO, the International Sports Business Network Show held in Munich, Germany, February 6-9, 2011.
“Here at Oakley, we’re always looking for new ways to improve the experience of our end users,” said Raphael Peck, VP of Global AFA at Oakley. “This line of outerwear was developed over two years with great attention paid to protection, durability, and how these products will perform both in the most extreme conditions and over time. The partnership between Gore and Oakley is a natural fit, and we’re honored to be working with a market leader in innovative technology.”
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley: a world brand, driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science. Building on its legacy of innovative, market-leading, premium sunglasses, the company also offers an expanding line of premium performance footwear, apparel, accessories, watches and prescription eyewear to consumers in more than 100 countries. Trailing-12-month revenues through September 30, 2004 totaled $548.9 million and generated net income of $34.8 million. Oakley, Inc. press releases, SEC filings and the company's Annual Report are available at no charge through the company's Web site at http://www.oakley.com.
About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
With more than $2.5 billion in annual sales and approximately 9,000 employees in 30 countries worldwide, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., provides diverse, high-performance solutions in consumer, industrial, electronic, medical, and surgical markets. As well-known for its unique corporate culture as for its products, Gore's 50-year success story rests equally on product and organizational innovation. Perhaps best known as the inventors of expanded PTFE (ePTFE) and the makers of GORE-TEX® fabric, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products that comprise a breadth of capabilities.
PR Contacts:
Gore Contact: Cynthia Amon Cell: 443 553 0333 camon@wlgore.com
© 2011 W.L. Gore & Associates, GORE-TEX, Guaranteed To Keep You Dry and designs are trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates.