Cloudveil on Angling
“Fly Fishing occupies a healthy balance of the time we spend
exploring Jackson Hole, and naturally we have learned a few things
about what works...
At Cloudveil we wade a fine line
between time in the office crafting gear and time on the water testing
it. Thinking critically about our fly fishing apparel while chasing
trout on the rivers, streams and lakes of the iconic valley we call
home makes down time in the office more fun. Fly fishing occupies a
healthy balance of the time we spend exploring Jackson Hole, and
naturally we have learned a few things about what works and what
doesn’t when searching for fish in the maze of waterways surrounding
us.
The 8x Pro Wader and Jacket incorporate the new GORE-TEX®
Pro Shell fabrics, which boast increased breathability and durability
in an overall lighter weight material, into our full-featured designs.
Our well received 8x Wading Boot returns with our hard-wearing felt
sole but also with a rubber STEALTH® sole option for ultimate traction
when climbing banks, boulders, and log jams to remote secret holes.”
Cloudveil on Cloudveil
Angling Mission:
“Based
in Jackson, Wyoming, Cloudveil is dedicated to producing the highest
quality, technically innovative, performance angling apparel in the
world. We utilize superior and innovative materials to satisfy the
specific needs of anglers in all outdoor conditions. Every garment is
manufactured to Cloudveil's specifications that meet or exceed the
highest standards of the outdoor apparel industry. Most importantly, we
pledge to use vision and creativity to fulfill our customers'
expectations.
Encourage others to find inspiration in the
outdoors through a genuine commitment to honest communication,
innovation without excess, and quality without compromise, derived from
our collective mountain experience.”
Inspiration:
“We founded Cloudveil in 1997 with a notebook,
some sketches and conviction for an idea that would later gain fame as
soft shell. With not much more than prototypes and a PO Box, we
pioneered a class of apparel that created a revolution in the
backcountry. We had no idea what building a brand required; we simply
dropped in with the confidence that a mountain perspective would make a
difference. Word spread quickly among friends, and a concept forged in
the skin track, on the shop floor and over a few pints soon resonated
far beyond our valley.
Ten years later, we have long outgrown
the original plan. We moved from borrowed couches to own homes, started
raising families and sacrificed a few ski days, but we have also grown
a grassroots movement into a global brand. Our extended family - of
friends, employees and customers - has swelled far beyond what we
thought possible, and our line has expanded from eight original designs
to a selection matched to the entire spectrum of mountain activity.
Support from those who believed made Cloudveil what it is and we
appreciate every vote of confidence we received. And now, when we stop
to take in the inspiring view, we feel pride in what was created with
that one compelling vision.”
Design:
“Our steady and focused allegiance to innovate will continue to define our brand now and into the future.”
“Our
brand is rooted in Jackson Hole and we take advantage of this prime
alpine location to exhaustively put our gear to the test. From first
sketch to refined form we sanction only clean, functional and focused
designs that excel on our rugged Teton home turf. We utilize the most
innovative textiles and inject each piece with expert adaptability for
the shifting conditions experienced in the mountains. As a result, we
certify each piece that earns the Cloudveil mark is a product of alpine
toughness, active versatility and inspired style.
- All Cloudveil apparel must have ultimate function in real life outdoor pursuits.
- All Cloudveil apparel must be constructed to the absolute highest quality standards in the industry.
- All Cloudveil apparel must be innovative and of clean, functional
design extraneous of features that aren’t absolutely necessary.
- All Cloudveil apparel must be made of the finest textiles.
This is our product development mantra and the guiding
force by which we design and construct each and every style, and
importantly, it is the foundation of our company mission.
Our
steady and focused allegiance to innovate will continue to define our
brand now and into the future - while our resolve to continue to
harness the inspiration of our Teton home remains strong.”
History:
“Innovative, clean designs, creative fabrications and the friendships in our Jackson community remain the cornerstones of our business.”
“Cloudveil
took shape in the minds of Stephen Sullivan and Brian Cousins sometime
during the winter of 1994, while the two were employed as outdoor
retail store managers/buyers at Skinny Skis in Jackson, WY. After
working, skiing and climbing together for two years they came to
realize that they had more in common than just a shared passion for
alpine pursuits. Both shared a profound belief that there was room in
the mountain apparel market for a focused, performance-oriented,
product offering that would dare to think "out of the box" when it came
to functional design, fabrication, and innovation. Living in the alpine
climbing and backcountry skiing playground of Jackson Hole, they
decided that there was no better place to base the business; research
and development right out the back door, definite marketing panache and
with the advent of modern technology no need to pack up and move.
In
the year prior to starting the business, both Sullivan and Cousins took
steps to help move Cloudveil from a dream into a reality. Cousins moved
from Jackson to Boulder, Colorado to take a position with an apparel
manufacturer in an effort to broaden his experience and gain insight
into the manufacturing side of the apparel market. While he soaked up
the experience he constantly searched for the answer to the question,
"Can we possibly pull this off in Jackson?"
Meanwhile,
Sullivan quit his job at Skinny Skis in favor of a more flexible work
schedule behind the bar at local Jackson watering hole, Calico
Restaurant. The free time during his days, combined with the desire to
learn more about textile and apparel design and manufacturing, resulted
in hundreds of hours spent on the phone and in meetings, beginning to
build the network of suppliers and production facilities that would be
so critical to Cloudveil's successful launch in the Fall of 1997.
In
addition to all the initial legwork completed within those days, both
Cousins and Sullivan made plenty of time to head into the mountains to
test proposed designs and materials, constantly refining concepts and
discovering innovative new fabrications. Somehow, even with all of
their time in the mountains that year, Sullivan made it back to the
Calico Bar each night to mix up the meanest margarita in Teton County
and Cousins managed to quickly move up the ladder to a management
position.
Encouraged by their findings Cloudveil began to take
on a more tangible reality. Now all that was left was that fateful
decision to quit their jobs and make a go of it! That day came in early
spring of 1997 as the first Cloudveil product line was already in
mature prototype stages.
After constructing a tradeshow booth
in a college friendÕs backyard, they introduced eight products at their
first Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City in the fall of 1997,
including the now signature Serendipity Jacket, and most are still in
the line. The Cloudveil line has grown dramatically, and though still
totally focused, the 2006 collection featured over two hundred and
fifty products - both Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer including both
Men's and Women's apparel.
Cousins and Sullivan's discovery
and extensive use of Schoeller stretch woven fabrics from Switzerland
has ushered in a new era in outdoor clothing - the Soft Shell -
creating a category for the true mountain athlete, and one that
Cloudveil continues to expand and focus upon.
In 2002
Cloudveil took the next step in its evolution bringing in two new
partners, Jon Boris and Michael McGregor, who added a significant
capital infusion as well as tangible business acumen to the already
strong management team. Boris and McGregor, stay focused on operational
and financial management, and successfully opened a Cloudveil satellite
Customer/Dealer Service office in Denver, Colorado in 2003. They
ushered in a new era of operational and financial efficiency. They have
also become good friends to all and have added a new and refreshing
perspective to the growing brand.
2005 marked another
milestone as Cloudveil was acquired by Sport Brands International, Inc.
an international holding company of sports brands. Proving to be
another positive step in the evolution of Cloudveil, the acquisition
has left Cousins and Sullivan free to focus on building the Cloudveil
brand and has bolstered the operational back-end efficiencies of the
ever-growing business. It is developing into another great partnership.
Spring/Summer of 2006 marked a new category launch for Cloudveil
with a complete new line of Fly-Fishing apparel and accessories. The
new category is off to an auspicious start with over 140 Fly Fishing
specialty retailers representing the line.
Cloudveil apparel
is now sold in more than 450 outdoor specialty stores in the United
States, as well as specialty accounts in Japan, Taiwan, Canada,
England, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and
South Korea. Cloudveil also sells retail direct to a growing customer
base through its beautiful catalogs and website.
In our ninth
year, our Jackson Hole home base continues to rule our motivation.
Innovative clean design, creative fabrications and beautiful colors,
and the friendships in our wonderful community of Jackson are still the
cornerstones of our business. We have amassed an amazing and talented
staff of industry professionals who are also dedicated climbers,
skiers, trail runners, cyclists, kayakers, surfers, and yoga freaks.
Most importantly we have our customers, many of whom have emailed,
called, or written enthusiastic comments of their overwhelming support
of the unique apparel line we have developed. Cloudveil apparel has
traveled the globe and has proven its worth in tens of thousands of
user days in outdoor environments the world over and will continue to
do so for many years to come.
Thanks, for your support and enthusiasm and be sure to make Cloudveil a part of your next mountain experience.
Cloudveil. Live Close to your Dreams...”
