Malden Mills Announces the 2005 Polartec® APEX Design Award Winners for 2005.

This prestigious award goes to the best-of-the-best Polartec® based garments that will be available to consumers in autumn 2005. Winners are selected based on the style, function, and fit of the garment as well as the most innovative and appropriate uses of Polartec® fabrics in the designs.

This year’s winners are -
48.10 Chile Capuche Jacket – Polartec® Windbloc®
Casablanca Tarifa Children’s Finhood Jacket, Scarf, Hat and Booties – Polartec® Classic 200 and Polartec® Classic Micro
Eider Pulp Jacket – Polartec® Wind Pro® high loft
Frauenschuh M217 Polartec® Thermal Pro® Jacket – Polartec® Thermal Pro®
Frauenschuh M210M Piquet Polartec® Power Dry® Pullover – Polartec® Power Dry®
Haglöfs Triton Hood and Triton Q Hood – Polartec® Classic Micro
Jo Jo Maman Bebe Poncho – Polartec® Classic 200
Lowe Alpine Women’s Glacion Jacket – Polartec® Windbloc® and Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology
Outdoor Designs Takustretch Gloves - Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology
Salewa Velvet Bay TP Lady Jacket – Polartec® Wind Pro® high loft
The North Face Women’s Long Sleeve Clarque 1/4 Zip – Polartec® Power Dry®
Tommy Hilfiger Cosmo Jacket – Polartec® Power Shield®
Toni Sailer Kurt Jacket – Polartec® Power Shield®
Toni Sailer Quentina Swarovski Jacket – Polartec® Power Stretch®
Trangoworld Tee Shirt – Polartec® Power Dry®
VIST Women’s Track Jacket and Pant – Polartec® Power Shield

In addition to a Tiffany crystal award and bragging rights for a year, winners can participate in a custom hangtag program promoting these products at the consumer level. Malden Mills also provides additional marketing support through product placement with media and events. Past winners can testify that the Polartec® APEX Design Award drives sales.

2005 Polartec® APEX Winners

	48.10 Chile Capuche Jacket – The Chile Capuche Jacket was designed for mountaineering and free-ride descents featuring windproof Polartec® Windbloc® fabric, an ergonomic hood and reinforced shoulders with Cordura® patches for abrasion resistance. Contrasting external seam taping, a waterproof zip, and close-fitting stretch cuffs keep the elements at bay in almost any conditions.
	Casablanca Tarifa Children’s Finhood Jacket, Scarf, Hat and Booties – Playful and fun this coordinated set features a whale’s-tail theme including a jacket with a two-tone tail pattern front panel and fin shaped hood along with matching scarf, hat and booties. Made of Polartec® Classic 200 and Polartec® Classic Micro this set will look great and last long enough to be passed on to younger siblings.
	Eider Pulp Jacket – Made of Polartec® Wind Pro® high loft, the Pulp jacket is soft and supple, warm and wind resistant. Reversed high loft fabric highlights the collar and cuffs while a flattering slim, athletic cut make this a great choice for almost any active outdoor pursuit. Adjustable Velcro and Lycra cuffs and a cinching hem block the wind and keep the garment in place for a wide range of motion.
	Frauenschuh M217 Polartec® Thermal Pro® Jacket – In real estate it’s location, location, location. In apparel, it’s ‘fit’. The Frauenchchuh Jacket is one of the most flattering women’s fleece jackets ever made. This simple yet tailored piece fits incredibly well. Ribbon piping over the seams and a reflective, smooth trim on the hem and cuffs are subtle details that make a world of difference. Frauenschuh M210M Piquet Polartec® Power Dry® Pullover – Made of Polartec® Power Dry® this pullover has all the technical merits of the best sports apparel in the world, yet the contrasting white ribbon taping over the seams, tailored styling and fashion forward colors all ensure this shirt will not be limited to the gym. Ideal as a base layer for active sports year-round or as a light shirt in the spring or summer.
	Haglöfs Triton Hood and Triton Q Hood – Haglöfs has taken the technical hoody to a new level with the Triton. Flat locked and off-set seams eliminate chafing and uncomfortable stress points, a gusseted mesh armpit panel minimizes bulk and improves breathability, stretch panels throughout improve fit and provide range of motion and a unique hood design literally tops it off.
	Jo Jo Maman Bebe Poncho – Irresistibly cute, warm, whimsical and easy for parents to put on and take off, this Poncho will make parents and children alike happy. Snaps to define arm-holes; mitten loops to ensure they don’t get lost; and a cozy hood. Made of Polartec® Classic 200 with Durable Water Repellency (DWR) this Poncho is water resistant, warm, durable and will look great wash after wash. Available in fun prints.
	Lowe Alpine Women’s Glacion Jacket – Made of a new Polartec® Windbloc® fabric the Glacion Jacket has windproof panels through the core and sleeves with Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology side panels for added breathability and moisture transfer. In the Glacion Lowe Alpine has thought of all the details required for alpine use including a harness-friendly hemline, one-handed cinching hem, shaped collar with cinch system, reflective piping across the chest, water resistant front zipper and two zipped side pockets.
	Outdoor Designs Takustretch Gloves – Made of Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology, the Takustretch gloves are wind resistant, water repellant and extremely durable yet breathable. A unique printed pattern on the palms provides a no-slip grip. These gloves can be worn alone or as an insulation layer under a shell.
	Salewa Velvet Bay TP Lady Jacket – Featuring one of the most luxurious fabrics ever made, the Salewa Velvet Bay TP Lady Jacket is made of a super-soft new Polartec® Wind Pro® high loft. Despite its cosy nature, this technical fabric is incredibly hardworking with excellent wind resistance, warmth and breathability. Side panels of Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology provide stretch for fit and a sheer surface for uninhibited range of motion. Smooth water resistant zippers demonstrate the attention to detail in this beautiful jacket.
	The North Face Women’s Long Sleeve Clarque 1/4 Zip – With elegant simplicity the Clarque 1/4 zip has unique color-blocking to enhance the feminine fit. Raglan sleeves, performance styling and the fast wicking, quick drying Polartec® Power Dry® fabric make this an excellent choice as a base layer for high aerobic activities and snow sports where staying dry equals comfort. Polartec® Power Dry® fabric also provides excellent sun protection (UPF 40) and a deep drop zipper allows easy ventilation.
	Tommy Hilfiger Cosmo Jacket – Friends will ask if the Cosmo Jacket was made custom for you. This women’s jacket is beautifully tailored for a clean, athletic fit ideal for alpine skiing. Made of Polartec® Power Shield® this jacket will stand up to the elements, stretches to enhance fit and range of motion, and is highly breathable.
	Toni Sailer Kurt Jacket - This soft shell jacket made of Polartec® Power Shield® combines an alpine pedigree with high fashion design. Made to perform on the slopes and in the mountains, white contrast stitching, disappearing zippers on the pockets, adjustable cuffs and a sleek tailored cut offer a complete package for anyone wanting technical performance and great styling. Toni Sailer Quentina Swarovski Jacket – Simply gorgeous. The Quentina Jacket is made of form-fitting Polartec® Power Stretch® in an updated take on the retro-style track-suit jacket. Red and white flat knit tape racing stripes down the sleeves recall its sporting heritage while a Swarovski crystal logo on the chest raises the stakes. Zipped side pockets complete the package.
	Trangoworld Tee Shirt – Is it a tee shirt or a piece of art? This long sleeve Polartec® Power Dry® tee shirt breathes life into a classic technical base layer. A high-resolution print of jagged peaks fades into a bright blue sky through the shoulders and down the sleeves. Fast wicking, quick drying and highly breathable this piece stands alone in warmer conditions or functions as a first layer year-round.
	VIST Women’s Track Jacket and Pant – This stylish pairing features a matching jacket and pant made of Polartec® Power Shield®. The pants have a modern straight leg cut, boot zips and a flattering, impeccable fit. The jacket includes black and white two-tone color blocking with red piping highlights and a detachable zip-off hood. Gathered side panels add an extra element of flair. Ideal for skiing, these garments will smoothly transition to “après-ski”.