First Ascent

WICHITA, Kan. – February 7, 2012 – INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand fabric team and Eddie Bauer team collaborate to develop next generation First Ascent line with CORDURA® fabric for its exceptional performance and toughness in extreme conditions. First Ascent products featuring CORDURA® brand fabric were recently showcased at the CORDURA® brand booth during Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, held Jan. 19 – 22, 2012. Specifically, the brand spotlighted three items from the line – Emperor Parka, DuraDown Jacket and Peak XV Down Parka. “The new Eddie Bauer designs featuring CORDURA® brand fabric are innovative, stylish, and functional. Best of all they have been tested by Eddie Bauer’s trusted team of guides who truly know what it takes to survive in tough weather conditions,” Cindy McNaull, global CORDURA® brand marketing director. “We were thrilled to be able to showcase them at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and I look forward to hearing how the consumer responds to this exciting new line that’s already been put to the test by guides in Antarctica.” At the heart of this collection is a design philosophy based on minimalism. The First Ascent Guide team, alongside Eddie Bauer designers, chose optimal strength-to-weight ratio CORDURA® fabrics and high fill power down to create a line that is equipped with the essentials but none of the excess. The new DuraDown Jacket along with updated versions of the Peak XV and the Emperor Parka will be available for Fall 2012. “Working with CORDURA® brand fabrics has allowed us to create new additions to our line that break compromises. These pieces combine the lightweight design of expedition down apparel, with the burly durability of high-end workwear for sub-zero conditions.” said Andrew Turner, director of Technical Outerwear, Eddie Bauer. “The headliner of this collection, the Emperor Down Parka was designed specifically for our ALE team in Antarctica, the perfect testers to confirm that this jacket is, as National Geographic stated, the real deal,” Winner of the 2011 National Geographic Gear of the Year Award, the Emperor Parka was built in partnership by First Ascent Guides and the Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE) team, and is designed with 500d CORDURA® Classic fabric for maximum durability. Stuffed with nearly one pound of 700 fill down, cut to a longer length and integrating multiple easy access pockets, the parka is designed for warmth and functionality. Additionally, the parka’s design incorporates articulated sleeves allowing for a comfortable fit that is appropriate for daily work and wear in subzero environments from Alaska and Northern Canada to Antarctica. The Emperor Parka retails for $399 and is available online and in select stores. The DuraDown Jacket is made with a combination of super-durable CORDURA® brand fabric and 800-fill premium goose down. The details in the design help to ensure an active fit. From shoulder, elbow and forearm overlay that provide additional abrasion resistance and weather protection, to articulated sleeves with stretch binding cuffs, zippered pockets and a drawcord hem, the jacket is prepped for cold weather casual or work wear. Several performance features including waterproof shoulders, water repellency, and windproofing provide added protection from inclement weather. Designed for both base camp and extreme altitudes, First Ascent’s puffy Peak XV Down Parka now incorporates durable 30d CORDURA® Ultralite fabric, and 800-fill power premium goose down for light weight warmth and breathability. For more information on the new First Ascent line as well as CORDURA® fabric technologies, please visit www.EddieBauer.com or www.CORDURAcom. In addition to the First Ascent Line, Eddie Bauer and CORDURA® brand have also teamed up on a collection of products for the brand new Eddie Bauer Sport Shop Collection - the next generation of hunting, fishing, and shooting apparel for the modern American sportsman and sportswoman. One of the headliners of the collection, the Mabton Flats Jacket, is built with water-repellent CORDURA® fabric in the body and overlays. The Mabton is designed as the perfect jacket for pushing through wild rose and briars in search of game birds. The Methow Valley Upland Pants also feature 500 denier CORDURA® Classic fabric with a DWR finish, which makes them the perfect choice for late season hunting and wet weather. For more information on the Eddie Bauer Sport Shop Collection, featuring CORDURA® fabric, head to www.EddieBauer.com/SportShop. About Eddie Bauer Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 353 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalog sales and online at www.eddiebauer.com. Eddie Bauer is proud to be named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion and is only one of 40 companies so named in the U.S. About CORDURA® brand INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand essence celebrates individual durability: As Long As The World Is Full Of Durable People, We’ll Keep Making Durable Fabrics™. Known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs, CORDURA® fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world’s leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel. The CORDURA® brand is a registered trademark of INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses. To distinguish the CORDURA® brand, the word “CORDURA®” must be spelled out in all caps in and used with an ®, and it must be followed by the word “brand” or “fabric.” To learn more about INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand, end-use products, and marketing tools please visit www.CORDURA.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. About INVISTA INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications. With a business presence in over 20 countries, INVISTA’s global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks including: ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA®, C12™, COMFOREL®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, DBE®, DYTEK®, FRESHFX®, LYCRA®, PERFORMA™, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHIELD®, POLYCLEAR®, SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA®, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®, TERATHANE® and THERMOLITE®. For more information, visit www.INVISTA.com. # # #