Jacket from new Edmund Hillary brand inspired by Sir Edmund Hillary’s achievements. Image supplied.
The late Sir Edmund Hillary’s mountaineering achievements will be celebrated with a new high end, outdoor clothing range inspired by and named after him that will launch in August this year. The Edmund Hillary brand will support Hillary’s charitable projects as well as other outdoor initiatives around the world with a percentage of profits also going to support schools in the Himalayas.
The brand was created by Mike Hall-Taylor and Sir Edmund Hillary’s son Peter Hillary with the aim of launching the brand internationally as well as in New Zealand. A special event will be held at New Zealand Fashion Week in late August to officially launch the premium quality men’s outdoor wear brand in New Zealand.
“The new business – Edmund Hillary Brands Ltd – will help keep the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary alive around the world for future generations. It will also support the people and places that he dedicated so much of his life to helping,” Mike Hall-Taylor says.
Launching with a collection inspired by the clothing Sir Edmund wore on his Everest summit, the range will consist of approximately 25 items ranging from a replica anorak inspired by the one Sir Ed wore during his ascent of Everest to jackets, vests and exact replicas of his hand knitted sweaters. The clothing is not so much aimed at hardcore mountaineering enthusiasts but more those who enjoy cold weather adventuring with some of the items being produced by the same company that supplied the 1953 expedition.
Mr Hall-Taylor has been working with the Hillary family for a number of years to create the brand which honours Sir Ed’s achievements and builds on his charity work. “The range captures the essence of Sir Ed and will resonate with those with their own spirit of adventure and a desire to be part of the Edmund Hillary story, says Hall-Taylor. “In his own words – ‘it’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves’ – this is a brand for people who enjoy overcoming personal challenges.”
“We’ve drawn on the heritage of the past – scouring imagery and researching fabrics used by Sir Ed and his climbing party – and then brought the clothing into the present day with style and functionality.
Mike Hall-Taylor is also founder and managing director of HT Group, a consultancy specialising in social enterprise and sport, with the mission to help businesses generate sustainable profitability and create a better society.