Carhartt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Carhartt, Inc. | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Headquarters |  Dearborn, MI |
| Industry | Workwear |
| Website | http://www.carhartt.com |
Carhartt, Inc. is a U.S. based clothing company founded in 1889. It is still a family owned company, owned by the descendants of company founder Hamilton Carhartt, with its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
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[edit] Carhartt in the United States
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In the United States, Carhartt is known for hard-wearing, rugged, durable work clothes, such as jackets, coats, overalls, coveralls, vests, shirts, jeans and dungarees.
Carhartt was originally founded to make work clothing for railroad workers. Their initial growth throughout the 1890's was focused on railroad workers' need for durable and long lasting work overalls. Over time, Carhartt clothing items evolved trademark features intended to further extend durability, including the use of heavy duty threads, reinforcing rivets at vital stress points, and a variety of durable, high technology materials resistant to flames, abrasion and water. Today Carhartt is commonly found on construction sites, farms and ranches, among other job sites. In 2007, the company launched a Carhartt for Women line of women's workwear for the Fall season.
The brand has always thrived on the ideal of a hard working American laborer, and has been proud of its Made in America by Textile union shops, but due to competition from other apparel manufacturers and pressure to drive down prices, many of its non-core apparel items have been increasingly outsourced abroad. Carhartt continues to own and operate unionized cutting, sewing and distribution centers in the United States and Mexico, and offers a "Union-Made in USA" line of workwear through its retailers, but items like t-shirts, knit caps, and even some lower priced items such as chore coats have been increasingly seen with labels from a foreign country though most feature American-made fabrics and components. Carhartt has stated that its international suppliers must have Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production certification.
In the United States, Carhartt sponsors blue-collar organizations and events such as 4-H, the National FFA Organization, rodeos and the #17 NASCAR race car driven by Matt Kenseth.
During the 9/11 World Trade Center rescue operations, the Carhartt company donated thousands of bib overalls to the rescue crew to be used on scene.
[edit] Carhartt in Europe and the rest of the world
[edit] Carhartt Workwear
Carhartt® EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) was formed in 2006 in order to provide premium workwear tailored to the European consumer. The European Workwear collection retains all of the elements that originally gave Carhartt® its reputation for rugged and durable apparel in premium quality craftsmanship offering comfort, fit, function, and style . Going back to the roots of nearly 120 years of history and heritage, Carhartt® Workwear adds high-tech fabrics and construction, including additional reinforcement on outerwear, bottoms, and tops.
Carhartt®’s ‘new generation’ of Construction clothing is the result of exploring the evolution of 360 degree ergonomic design lines as to further enhance the ‘freedom of movement’. The most durable, functional, and comfortable clothing solutions; this time based upon a multi-layer system which facilitates easy ‘mix and match’ depending upon both the climate and working conditions.
[edit] Carhartt Streetwear
Carhartt Streetwear is marketed as a more fashionable brand comparable to Stussy or Volcom. In Japan, it is a familiar streetbrand that often collaborates with other streetwear brands. An example would be the line of A Bathing Ape X Carhartt camouflage hoodies and jackets.
Carhartt Streetwear, which is produced under license of Work in Progress, supports affinity groups such as artists, musicians and skateboarders.
Manufacture of Carhartt Streetwear products is generally outsourced to Asian countries. Before 2000, most products were manufactured in the US by unionized labour. Quality and durability are maintained, though, as the same high quality standards are applied.
