Are Ski Slopes the New Catwalks?

The advent of winter sports and ski apparel

The year is 1924, and the first Olympic Games have just taken place at France's beloved ski resort town, Chamonix. The events are a hit with the media, paving the way for the democratization of winter sports like hockey, figure skating, curling, and of course, skiing. In contrast to the getups we see on the mountain today, the first skiers weren't all that worried about their garb. What mattered was performance and warmth, provided by textiles like tweed, velour, and wool.

A few years later, in 1930, Alpine skiing legend Emile Allais asked Swiss tailor Armand Allard to design a pant that would be both warm and aerodynamic. Thus was born the first pair of ski pants, featuring a stirrup elastic around the heel that fit into ski boots. Fashioned from a bolt of Bonneval, the pants were not only warm, but water resistant, making them the perfect companion on the slopes.

Thanks to technological advances, ski gear evolved quickly. Norms were applied to manufacturers, who in turn had greater access to new materials like elastane and polyester. Ski apparel became more and more advanced and comfortable to wear. With time, ski resorts flourished into glamorous destinations in which to see and be seen, and, little by little, labels dedicated to ski-wear began to proliferate ? including industry leaders Moncler and Fusalp, both founded in 1952.

Moncler, kings of the down coat

Founded by René Ramillon and André Vincent in Monestier-de-Clermont, the brand began by offering materials for outdoor recreation, like camping tents and sleeping bags. At the time, the down jackets for which Moncler became famous were for factory employees, meant to protect them from the cold working conditions. Thanks to their thermal qualities, they ended up catching the eye of famed Alpinist Lionel Terray, who wanted one with which to brave the extreme conditions he encountered regularly. The iconic Moncler down jacket was born ? light, resistant, and comfortable. In 1968, the label dressed the French Alpine Skiing team for the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, and later was adopted by Milan's golden youth, the Paninaris. After something of a rough patch, Moncler made a comeback in 2003 after being bought by Italy's Remo Ruffini, who re-oriented the brand towards luxury fashion and re-designed the down coat to better fit the body's contours. The landmark piece, now adorned with a tri-color logo and perfectly-designed details, became available in a bevy of new hues and silhouettes.

Fusalp, pants that run in the family

Fusalp, on the other hand, was created in the heart of the French Alps by two tailors, Georges Ribola and René Veyrat. The two visionaries were a step ahead of the trends of their day, and set about dreaming up an "Alp pant" that could be produced on an industrial scale. They made marked improvements on the ski-pant as it was previously known, adjusting the cut so that it could be worn over the boot in order to protect the feet from snow and humidity, and placing knee padding held in place by flexible elastics. The upgraded pant was a roaring success, and was adopted by 1960s ski champions like Jean-Claude Killy, Guy Périllat, Léo Lacroix and the Goitschel sisters. In 2014, the label was bought by the Lacoste family, who maintained its domestic and international reputation. A real breath of fresh air came along later thanks to Parisian boutique Colette. The exclusive collection ? including onesies, jackets, sweaters, and more ? paid tribute to the craftsmanship of the 1952 founders. Today, Fusalp has widened its offering to suit the slopes and the city alike.

At the Summit With Chloé and Miu Miu

For Fall-Winter 2021-2022, fashion's most prestigious houses threw their glamorous gloves in the ring with collections dedicated entirely to winter sports. For her first season at Chloé stylist Gabriela Hearst, in collaboration with Moon Boots, designed a pair of booties with biodegradable soles, both comfortable and sophisticated. Available in two colors, these après-ski beauties are perfect for braving the cold.

Miu Miu, never the wallflower, presented a super-saturated winter collection by the name of "Mountain Club," amidst the towering Dolomite Alps. Featuring nylon coats, quilted jackets, cardigans, crocheted scarves and woolen hoods ? filled with must-haves for the snowy season.

Et voilà, the perfect pieces to keep you toasty on the slopes without sacrificing on style, and some ski-gear history ? to boot!