THE HERITAGE OF PROTECTION

Founded in New York City in 1954, RefrigiWear® was built on a simple mission: protection. More than seventy years later, that mission continues through garments that combine heritage, functionality, and innovation.

Explore the milestones that have shaped RefrigiWear® since 1954.

1954

In 1954, in New York City, Myron Breakstone and Mort Malden founded RefrigiWear® to create better clothing for extreme working environments. Backed by advanced textile research, a new approach to cold-weather protection was born. What began as a small venture became a benchmark in technical workwear, laying the foundation for a brand that has endured for over seventy years.

1960

The first collection, known as Winter-Seals, included eight insulated garments designed for cold-storage workers, among them the iconic 60 Ice Parka and 341 Inspector Coat. As demand grew, RefrigiWear® quickly expanded across New York City, becoming a trusted name in warehouses, markets, and industrial workplaces. The brand’s rapid success established a strong presence in its hometown and laid the foundations for decades of growth.

1965

In 1965, a Field & Stream journalist put RefrigiWear® to the test, wearing an Iron-Tuff® suit inside a -40° / -60° F cold-storage room for an hour. His verdict confirmed the brand’s reputation for comfort and protection in extreme conditions. As popularity grew beyond industrial workers, the Iron-Tuff® line became a benchmark for industrial outerwear and a symbol of sub-zero performance.

1970s

During the 1970s, RefrigiWear® expanded beyond its original professional audience, becoming increasingly popular among campers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. The brand’s garments were selected for the Dustin Trans-Polar Flight, an around-the-world expedition commemorating Admiral Richard Byrd. Following rigorous testing, the RefrigiWear® 50 Suit was chosen as standard technical equipment for the expedition. RefrigiWear® also became part of the Yukon Quest, the legendary 1,000-mile sled-dog race across Canada and Alaska, further demonstrating the brand’s ability to perform in extreme environments.

1980s

During the 1980s, RefrigiWear® continued to expand beyond its original industrial market, strengthening its presence in Europe. The brand’s outerwear had first reached Europe in the 1960s with the Macho Town Coat, which gained attention in the Italian fashion press from 1979 onwards. New products such as the Snow suits and internal embroidery services reflected a growing focus on product identity and personalization. In 1988, Ron Breakstone, who had joined the family business in 1975, and Mark Silberman acquired the company from its founders, marking a new chapter in RefrigiWear®’s history.

1990s

The 1990s marked the arrival of a new generation at the helm of RefrigiWear®, bringing a renewed vision, new commercial strategies, and the move to a modern 7,000-square-metre facility in Dahlonega, Georgia. During this decade, RefrigiWear® Inc. strengthened its position as a leader in industrial and protective apparel, with its garments used across demanding professional environments in the coldest areas of London, Paris, New York, and Milan. At the same time, the brand gained growing recognition in Europe, where its distinctive workwear aesthetic began to resonate beyond the professional market and with a new generation drawn to functional design.

2000s

The 2000s marked a new phase of international growth for RefrigiWear®, strengthening its presence across Europe, Japan and other key markets. On June 19, 2000, Cruzcampo S.r.l. signed its first distribution agreement with RefrigiWear®, followed by an exclusive agreement covering several European territories. On October 25, 2004, Cruz S.r.l., later renamed RefrigiWear® Distribution S.r.l., acquired the RefrigiWear® trademark for several international territories. This structure established the foundation for the brand’s dual identity: a workwear business operated by RefrigiWear® Inc. in the United States, alongside a European fashion and lifestyle division managed from Italy.

2020s

In the 2020s, RefrigiWear® brought its workwear heritage into contemporary culture through collaborations across fashion and streetwear. In 2020, the brand partnered with Supreme® New York, followed by Staple® in 2021 and Ducati Scrambler from SS22. Further collaborations with Vyner Articles, Kostas Murkudis, One Block Down, and Highsnobiety x Coca-Cola Zero Sugar continued to reinterpret the brand’s heritage through new cultural perspectives. Across these projects, RefrigiWear® evolved while staying true to its core values: protection, durability and products built to last.