Since 1926, 66°North has embodied Iceland’s spirit of resilience, creating outerwear that stands up to the harshest environments on Earth. A certified carbon-neutral company, the brand has built a reputation for combining purposeful design with uncompromising performance. From the fishing villages of Suðureyri to the streets of global capitals, 66°North has always been a philosophy. Garments are made to last, tested by mountaineers and outdoor professionals, and constructed in the brand’s own European factories, including a dedicated facility in Latvia. Collaborations with material innovators like GORE-TEX® and Polartec® ensure every product is both technical and timeless. Durability, longevity, and repairability are woven into the brand’s DNA. For nearly 100 years, 66°North has helped people thrive in extreme conditions, not through hype or gimmicks, but through design rooted in care, craftsmanship, and function.
100 Years of Progress. Still Made for Life
At Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26, 66°North kicked off its centenary celebrations with a powerful and immersive exhibition: “100 Years of Progress. Still Made for Life.” This experience marks the beginning of a year-long tribute leading up to the brand’s 100th anniversary in 2026. Stepping inside the installation is like entering the heart of 66°North’s operation. A factory-inspired atelier recreated the brand’s cutting tables and workbenches, where raw materials, prototypes, and deconstructed garments revealed the intricate precision behind each design.
From pattern drafting to performance testing, every phase of the production process was on display. Visitors engaged directly with the brand’s ethos through interactive elements like a GORE-TEX® weather simulation and wind machine, recreating the extremes of Icelandic weather and spotlighting the real-life conditions 66°North garments are built to withstand.
One of the most compelling features was a live repair station, operated by the brand’s Icelandic repair team. It offered an up-close view of 66°North’s commitment to circularity—a practice rooted in the company’s very beginnings. “When your customers’ lives depend on your products, you do everything possible to protect them. That commitment remains just as strong today,” said Bjarney Harðardóttir, CBO, 66°North. “We believe it’s better to create a garment that lasts a decade than one that claims to be made with ‘sustainable’ materials but fails in two or three years.”
CEO Helgi Óskarsson added: “This exhibition reflects our unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, durability, and purposeful design. It offers an honest look into how our garments are made, and why they last.”
The installation also unveiled key pieces from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, engineered for movement, spontaneity, and extreme versatility:
- Hornstrandir Shell Jacket – A GORE-TEX® Pro 3L hybrid for storm-grade protection and stretch mobility.
- Snæfell Shell – Crafted with Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro, perfect for hiking, cycling, or everyday use.
- Helgafell Trail Windbreaker – Lightweight, packable, and made for high-output movement.
- Travel-ready rainwear and insulated layering – Essential for unpredictable weather and lightweight packing.
- Tindur Shearling Fleece Jacket – A mountain-born mid-layer balancing breathable warmth and style.
By pulling back the curtain on its design and manufacturing processes, 66°North not only celebrated its history but reaffirms its purpose: to make garments “Made for Life.” This centennial moment is exciting as we peel back the past and lay foundations for the next 100 years of innovation and intention.
