Woolrich and its various labels set out their stall for Autumn/Winter 2012. While they’re not particularly treading new ground with John Rich and Bros, they do what they do well. There are a few more additions in terms of bright colour, easier to wear in the form of their classic fur hood parka.

They tell us “These Byrd Cloth Parkas not only add a pop of color, but also repel both water and wind because of the unique spinning and weaving of the cotton-based fabric.” So you’ll stay highly visible and, bonus, dry. Knitwear and casual suiting have a tradional feel, a solid collection all in all.

Back with more from Pitti Uomo.

Into its second season is the excellent Nigel Cabourn collection for Eddie Bauer. We’re told that the collection will be made available through select shops and there is much to be excited about. The archive digging Cabourn pulled out a good deal of fresh gems for the second collection. Specialty fabrics developed in the 1970’s by Woolrich for Eddie Bauer get a second life. British millerain sites against 1970’s Bauer textiles in various forms. The Trapper jackets are standouts looks.

One note for those that still wonder on the price point of the collection: consider that the quilted parkas are hand stuffed and require more than five hours of work for each garment to produce. Cabourn refuses to compromise and we’re happy to see that Eddie Bauer agrees.

Photography: Luca Merli/Selectism.com/Mensreverie.com

View more looks in our gallery…

One of the better bag makes we ran into at Pitti Uomo this week was Italy’s Silent People. The concept is a simple: take vintage jackets, preferably military, heritage outerwear, as well as leather bombers, and re-formulate them into satchels and bags. Designers and vintage collectors, Franco Armilla and Filippo Biancoli, enjoy the idea of the sharing history through the new forms.

The gallery (below) is filled with the details of their Silent People work. You’ll find a rucksack formed from an old Barbour jacket; a shearling lined farm coat converted into a satchel, as well as a U.S. pilot’s bomber jacket converted into an attache. We see vintage Woolrich in there as well. The designed are well considered and stay sustainable in all regards. At one point, Silent People was available in the U.S.A. We’re not clear on stocklists outside of Europe and Japan at this time.

Photography: Jeff Carvalho/Selectism.com

More look after the click.

We’re never going to give up on plaid shirts, seems silly when they’re so easy to wear and look as good as this offering from Woolrich Woolen Mills. While it’s not breaking any boundries as far as originality goes, what it does it does well. Taking inspiration from the pre-McNairy, pre-Daiki, pre-’fashion’ Woolrich of old, this has a rather traditional feel with its bright red plaid, breast pockets and heavy weight feel. Find it at B+A.

More looks after the click.

Shot by Jake Davis, this promotional video pushes the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection from Woolrich John Rich & Bros.

In an interesting collaboration Woolrich has gotten together with Berlin retailer 14 oz. Together they worked on the most iconic piece of the collection, the Arctic Parka. The retailer chose 5 exclusive colorways and used Byrd Cloth on the upper of the parka. We especially like the yellow and royal blue versions. Overall the parka will come limited to 600 pieces and is slotted for a release July 2011 at 14 oz.

Take a detailed look at the parkas after the jump.

The resurgence of the Woolrich company is a story in itself. They’ve made a strong attack on menswear in the last couple season and one piece that shows that they’re here to stay is the classic “Double Breasted Jacket.” It is  modern interpretation of without the wide body cut. A perfect lightweight jacket for Spring. Tobi has them.

More looks after the click.

Here’s some cold Friday, heritage news. Woolrich, providing wool blankets from PA since  1830 celebrates their history and the legacy of supplying troops from 1861-65 with Civil War blankets. To be fair, we weren’t really expecting any Sesquicentennial tie-in product (honestly, this probably has nothing to do with that American history milestone), but appreciate direct nods to actual garment/life synergy. Woolrich has been making blankets for reenactors for decades, so we can also happily report that these blankets aren’t just specifically prepared for the urban woodsmen set. That’s the nice thing about the quartet of Civil War blankets really – handsome colors make for near universal appeal.

A detailed look at Woolrich’s Civil War blankets after the jump.

Griffin launch their Woolrich sourced, Italian made Jacket program next week. Quality is the emphasis, both in tradition and line. “With an appreciation for original military garments this season we turn our attention to the American military uniforms of the 50’s and 60’s, pulling snorkel jackets and smock jackets from the extensive Griffin archive and researching classic movies such as the 1968 film “Ice Station Zebra” staring Rock Hudson (nothing quite like an old military film). Last season we looked back to our heritage, this season we focus on the future. Whilst we still delve into the Griffin archive for our classic garments like the reversible smock and the fishtail snow parka we have been working alongside the latest advance machinery. This respect for American military clothing is reflected in our choice of fabrics, this autumn/winter 10 season we are working with renowned U.S. fabric mill Woolrich. An original company that is internationally respected for its heritage and quality wool fabrics and known for its identifiable plaids in black and white and the classic red and black. Other fabrics this season include traditional British Millerain dry wax cottons, rich winter corduroys and original camouflages from Belgium, France, Germany and Finland. Still holding tight to the Griffin mix of tradition vs. technology, function vs. fashion, high tech 3 layer fabrics meet original European camouflages all accentuated with luxury fur trims.”

Griffin are really proud to manufacture garments in Italy (as you might gather). As proof, after the jump, we’re showing a selection of the Autumn/Winter 2010 jackets accompanied by a short documentary about Italian production.

Following up on the our original post covering Woolrich’s 180th Anniversary Jackets, we bring a detailed look at the saddle bag which is one of 17 unique items developed for the collection. We also failed to mention that only 180 units of each item in the collection is being produced. “Each piece will have a special label and hangtag. The collection, which is produced in the US, honors the Woolrich archives and will be distributed worldwide.”

A more detailed look at the Woolrich 180th Anniversary Saddle Bag after the click.