A hidden story behind its birth.
As autumn deepens, it’s the perfect season for camping and outdoor activities. This time, we’re highlighting one of the staple items for the outdoors: “Climbing Pants.”
Speaking of climbing pants, one of the representative brands is <GRAMICCI>. But how exactly were the iconic “Climbing Pants” of <GRAMICCI> born? Let’s delve into the intriguing story behind its creation.
Stone Master – As the name suggests, Mike Graham, known as a rock climbing specialist in the sacred ground of Yosemite National Park, founded <GRAMICCI> in 1982.
In the second half of the 20th century in the United States, the norm for rock climbers was to wear casual attire, like T-shirts and jeans. However, the progressive Mike was not satisfied with the climbing attire of the time. So, in a small garage in California, he crafted his own pair of climbing pants.
That was the genesis of <GRAMICCI>.
The unique design that <GRAMICCI> introduced spawned countless followers and set the standard for climbing pants. How could a climber like him create such pants? There’s a secret behind it.
He had a strong supporter by his side. That supporter was Yvon Chouinard, the founder of <Patagonia>. Chouinard, aware of Mike’s skillful hands, requested him to work on his company’s products. As Mike responded to these orders, his garage rapidly evolved into a fully-fledged atelier. Yes, he had an environment where he could bring his ideas to life.
Drawing from his personal experiences and integrating all the desired features a climber could wish for, <GRAMICCI> swiftly ignited in popularity.
A tapered silhouette that fits snugly to the body, a diamond-shaped piece in the crotch area – known as the gusset crotch – that compensates for movement and allows for a 180-degree leg spread, a webbing belt that can be adjusted with one hand even while climbing a mountain, and an easy waist that gently supports the movements of intensely bulging muscles are the factors behind its success.
*Note: The webbing belt on the kids’ size is designed without an adjustment feature for safety reasons, making it a faux design.
By the way, for those with keen intuition, you might have already noticed… The webbing belt at the waist is inspired by the buckles used for backpack harnesses.
The driving force behind <GRAMICCI> still dominating the mainstream of street fashion lies in its unparalleled comfort when worn and a timeless design that never fades. His design philosophy continues to be passed down and has climbed its way from outdoor gear to a staple in fashion. The functional beauty, refined to perfection, is truly a masterpiece worth calling.
