Filson taps Richard Chai as creative director

Seattle-based outdoors brand Filson has tapped American designer Richard Chai to serve as the company’s creative director, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The designer will showcase looks from his first capsule collection — including nine interpretations of classic Filson styles such as the wool bomber and duffle bag — during his runway show in New York City on February 9.
“Richard is the ideal creative partner not only because he shares Filson’s values in craftsmanship, high-quality fabrications and classic, practical approach to design, but because of his passion for our brand’s heritage,” Mark Korros, president and CEO of Filson, told WWD.
Filson has a 115-year history of outfitting hunters, fishermen, explorers and outdoorsmen and is carried by outdoors retailers as well as more mainstream stores. The company was acquired in 2005 by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Brentwood Associates, which specializes in niche consumer brands.