Oakley launches Gretchen Bleiler technical clothing
Oakley, Inc. has launched the Gretchen Bleiler Signature Series Collection, a women’s line of technical outerwear, lifestyle apparel and accessories designed in collaboration with the Olympic silver medallist and four-time X Games snowboard champion.
Ms Bleiler worked with Oakley’s designers to create a 17-piece collection ranging from goggles and sunglasses to jackets and accessories.
“I wanted to create clothing I would be excited to wear, something entirely new that could take me from daily riding to just chilling,” she said.
The line is still highly technical with up to 20,000mm of breathable waterproofing in performance pieces. Designs include added features such as a button system added to the back of the trouser leg to keep it from dragging.
Ms Bleiler’s environmental concerns prompted the company to use recycled Eco Storm materials in certain performance pieces. Using these textiles helps reduce energy and carbon dioxide emissions by one-fifth compared with the manufacture of raw polyester. Solvents are not used in the production of the protective layer, and even if the textiles are burned, few toxic gases are released.
