Gifts of Honor for Public Servants

Madeline Albright onstage at Portland's Arlene Schnitzer Center for the Performing arts, receiving a Pendleton Brave Star blanket

Honoring Madeline Albright

Pendleton’s Brave Star blanket was presented to Madeleine Albright on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, when Madame Secretary kicked off the Hatfield Lecture Series for the Oregon Historical Society. She spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Arlene Schnitzer Auditorium in Portland, Oregon.

Pendleton Brave Star wool blanket in red white and blue

BRAVE STAR

This contemporary interpretation of the American flag is a celebration of the patriotism of Native Americans. In 1875 Indian scouts carried messages from fort to fort in the West. Native American soldiers saw action with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders in Cuba. And soldiers from many tribes battled in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and Iraq. Five Native Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery “above and beyond the call of duty.” The design marries modern asymmetry and vintage Americana. The unique striations, using pulled out yarns, reflect an era when dyes were made from plants.

See it here: Brave Star Blanket

Honoring Ted Kulongoski

Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski received “The Few, the Proud” Marine Corps blanket at the Madeleine Albright dinner at Oregon Historical Society from State Senators Betsy Johnson and Elizabeth Steiner Hayward.

Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski receiving a Pendleton Marines blanket at the Oregon Historical Society

This blanket features the official emblem of the United States Marine Corps, woven in a wool blanket to honor the valor and loyalty of the Marines.

Pendleton Marines blanket feaaturing the logo of the USMC, red white and blue

The Few, The Proud

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is the official emblem of the United States Marine Corps. Each element signifies the Marine Corps mission and legacy. The anchor reflects the naval tradition of the Marines as part of the Department of the Navy. The globe represents readiness to serve in any part of the world. The bald eagle, symbol of America, holds a ribbon in its beak that reads “Semper Fidelis,” or “Always Faithful,” a reference to the unending valor and loyalty of the Corps. Dyed, woven and hand-finished in America for quality that’s second to none.

See it here: Marines blanket

PWM_USA_label

Magic Wash Merino is magical.

A brunette woman sits crosslegged on the ground. She is wearing a dark red sweater, jeans, and black boots.

By the end of January, we’re all looking forward to warmer days. What do you wear when you’re tired of winter clothes, ready to transition into Spring, but still need warmth?

Magic Wash Merino

Magic Wash Merino knits feature the luxe, silky hand of knitted merino, in a range of colors that look to the season ahead. The crewneck (above) features some very cool neck detailing, ribbed trim, and raglan sleeves. See all the colors here: Magic Wash Merino Crew

What is the Magic?

It’s a special treatment that makes each garment unique. These sweaters are hand-dyed for unique variations in color, transforming each piece into a one-of-a-kind find, with unique shading along necklines, seams and hems.

A woman with bountiful brunette curls stands with hands hooked in the back of her jeans pockets. She is wearing a brighter red sweater with short sleeves.

Look closely at this pullover–it has the cutest (faux) pocket ever, and a relaxed hem to keep it easy to wear. Our design team thought a lot about the sleeve length to get it just right. See all the colors here: Magic Wash Merino Pullover

Why Merino?

Merino is one of our favorite luxury yarns, thanks to its sheen, airy lightness, and comfort. That’s right – you can layer for warmth and/or fashion, but this wool feels wonderful next to your skin. So slip on the V-Neck, and enjoy the silky, thermo-regulating comfort of pure merino wool. See all the colors here: Magic Wash Merino V-neck

A woman with long brown hair and blue eyes stands before a white background, her hands held in front of her stomach. She is wearing a plum colored sweater and jeans.

Merino Sheep

If you’d like to learn more about Merino sheep and what makes their wool so special, we suggest this page: Merino Sheep Info.  They are a special breed, carefully husbanded over centuries to create this outstanding wool. Plus, they’re handsome, and they know it.

A very wooly merino sheep with curling horns and a very overgrown coat makes eye contact with the camera.

And speaking of handsome, we have men’s pieces too: Men’s Magic Wash Merino

Hitting the Runway at Oregon State University

The University Runway

On Friday May 25th, the OSU design students will put on their eighth annual runway show.  Student collections for Spring will be shown to peers, faculty and family, as well as representatives from Oregon apparel companies.

Last year, the star of the show was Amanda Grisham, who was also selected as one of Portland Monthly’s  “Fifty Most Influential Portlanders.”

Portland Monthly spread featuring Amanda Grisham

The Collection

Amanda’s collection featured Pendleton fabrics from Pendleton’s Woolen Mill Store. She went on to win Portland Fashion Week’s Catapult: Emerging Designers Competition.

Portland Monthly spread featuring clothing in pendleton wool designed by Amanda Grisham

On Friday night, all eyes will be watching to see who Oregon’s next rising star might be. Enjoy this look at Amanda’s work from 2011. We are probably just as proud of it as she is.