The origins of the name lie in its very roots: Moncler is in fact an abbreviation of Monestier-de-Clermont, a mountain village near Grenoble. Here, inspired entrepreneur René Ramillon and Andrè Vincent founded the company in 1952 which would go on to produce the renowned down jacket.
In the beginning Moncler only made quilted sleeping bags, a single model of a lined hooded cape and tents with a telescopic structure and an external flysheet. These robust, functional articles immediately proved a hit with the public, as the new social phenomenon of mountain holidays began to take hold.
1955
THE EXPEDITIONS - MAKALU
Moncler down jackets were supplied to the French expedition which reached the summit of Mount Makalù (8,470 metres)
1964
THE EXPEDITIONS: ALASKA
Moncler is the official supplier of expeditions to Alaska organised by Lionel Terray.
1968
THE SPONSORSHIPS
To mark the Grenoble Winter Olympic Games, Moncler became the official supplier to the French downhill ski team thanks to a worldwide media platform broadcast via television.
1980
CITY ICON
This was the period in which Moncler, with its original stitching and its ‘lacquered’ effect in dazzling colours, finally made its grand entrance into town. In the 1980s designer Chantal Thomass was one of the coolest creative stars of the Parisian scene, and worked alongside the company until 1989, reworking the look of the classic down jacket. The designer replaced the zips with buttons and introduced fur trim, satin and reversible fabrics.
2003
THE ACQUISITION
The brand was bought out by Italian entrepreneur Remo Ruffini, who is still the Chairman and Managing Director. The strategy of the global down jacket is his brainchild. Working on fit, aesthetic research, experimentalism and materials, Moncler’s universal spirit distinguished itself even more, as did the ever increasing variety of purposes, ensuring the utmost attention was lavished on quality. Each garment is made entirely in Europe.
2006
MONCLER GAMME ROUGE
The Moncler universe was further enhanced with the launch of the Haute Couture Moncler Gamme Rouge collection. It was a frontier of female elegance and sophistication, designed first by Alessandra Facchinetti followed by Giambattista Valli who continues to design the collection
2009
MONCLER GAMME BLEU
Moncler Gamme Blue was launched. This men’s collection combines the sartorial sensitivity of American designer Thom Browne with the brand’s sporting DNA.
2010
MONCLER GRENOBLE
The men’s and women’s Moncler Grenoble collection made its debut in New York. For the first time it reinterpreted the styles of the past, reworking the brand heritage whilst giving skiing garments and après-ski wear, as well as more urban garments, a contemporary take
2012
SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY
It is time to celebrate. Moncler notched up a new goal; its sixtieth birthday. Six decades of life and creativity, of tireless technological research, all celebrated in Miami during Art Basel in early December.
2013
THE LISTING
In December, Moncler was floated on the Telematic Shares Market (MTA), organised and managed by the Italian Stock Exchange of Milan, signalling Europe’s greatest success story in recent years.
2014
K2-60 YEARS LATER
Moncler supplied the technical equipment to the team of the “K2 – 60 YearsLater” expedition, which celebrated the Italian conquest of K2 60 years later. The “Moncler pour Lionel Terray” collection was inspired by the garments worn by the climbers.
Moncler personalizza oggi il nuovo modello Leica X ‘‘Edition Moncler’’ e Fabien Baron scatta in Groenlandia una serie di fotografie, che diventano una mostra presentata a Londra da Sotheby’s durante Frieze Art.