Freeport, ME, February 6, 2020
L.L.Bean x Todd Snyder – A New Collaboration Launching Fall 2020
When Owen Kelly, vice president of product creation for L.L.Bean, received a call from renowned menswear designer Todd Snyder, it wasn’t long before the two were sifting through the L.L.Bean archives in Freeport, Maine.
“We’ve been asked to do collabs by many designers and brands over the years, but this time was different,” says Kelly.
Snyder had always been someone that Kelly and the design team at L.L.Bean had admired. Especially for his work at J.Crew, where he elevated classic yet approachable American design.
Likewise, Snyder had been a longtime fan of the brand.
“I can still remember my first pair of Bean Boots I got in college,” says Snyder. “I’ve wanted to work with L.L.Bean since I started my own line in 2011.”
It was this shared admiration and passion that led to the largest and first-of-its-kind collaboration in L.L.Bean’s history.
The L.L.Bean x Todd Snyder Collection:
With a debut at New York Fashion Week and full launch set for this fall, the L.L.Bean x Todd Snyder Collection holds true to the duo’s shared inspiration of the outdoors and love for classic, heritage styles. The 40-piece set will honor the iconic apparel and footwear of the Maine-based brand with everything from a new take on oil-cloth Bean Boots to a new tweed Boat and Tote to fresh, vintage-inspired patterns for the classic Chamois shirt. The pieces will also highlight key materials essential to L.L.Bean’s durable designs, including fleece, wool and flannel.
The 2020 fall collection will also include puffer vests, vintage-inspired sweaters, overcoats, hats, and of course, Maine-made Bean Boots.
“Going back through the archives at Bean and seeing old photos of the founder, Leon Leonwood Bean, in his hunting gear, he had this very authentic and down-to-earth aesthetic. I really wanted to bring that to life,” said Snyder.
During several of his visits to the company’s headquarters, Snyder searched through the L.L.Bean archives, pulling inspiration from vintage pieces such as a patterned blanket from the 1940s and the red and black plaid wool hunting coats from the 1930s. In addition, pops of orange can be found throughout the collection – a prominent color in hunting gear and thus a nod to the company’s roots.
“Todd really gets our brand – our history, heritage and passion for classic designs that are created to help people enjoy the outdoors,” said Kelly. “This collab couldn’t be more authentic, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.”
The L.L.Bean x Todd Snyder collection will be available for purchase in select L.L.Bean and Todd Snyder stores and online at www.llbean.com and www.toddsnyder.com beginning this fall. Sign up to receive updates at www.toddsnyder.com/LLBeanxTS.
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. L.L.Bean operates 34 stores in 16 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitterr, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.