BIRDIEBLUE

FOUNDER: Kate Harvey

MISSION: BirdieBlue is an outdoor adventure brand committed to generating joy and protecting our #birdiebluedays by turning old, discarded ski clothes into personality-filled, and sustainably created accessories ... and keeping as many clothes out of landfills along the way.

Who am I to start an outdoor-gear brand? I have no formal design background. Zero formal training. Not one day of experience working in the fashion industry. I had to ask my first wholesaler what a line sheet was. But what I did have is passion and drive to figure it out one way or another and bring my vision to life.

This vision was born a few years ago (more than I would like to remember) on a 10 of 10 quintessential bluebird day in Park City, Utah. I was fresh out of college chasing my love of skiing. While my friends sat at trading desks or in large conference rooms, I sat on the Town Lift, willing myself to remember this feeling of the warm sun on my face, the healing smells of Mother Nature and the excitement in my gut knowing I was about to rip 8 inches of fresh powder.

This dream lasted a year before I too joined the “corporate” world. I wore many different hats throughout my working life, including chasing news stories all over the country as a broadcast journalist, driving efficiency and Six Sigma SWOT teams, working within hospital operations, and recruiting CEOs to run said hospitals as an executive search consultant I enjoyed the work but always daydreamed about being able to marry my love of outdoor adventures with my “work” life. It wasn’t until my beloved pair of ski pants (same pants I was wearing on that fateful Town Lift ride a few years earlier) ripped beyond saving. My wheels started turning. I just could not throw the pants out. The fabric is so durable but also horrible for our beautiful planet. Could I turn these old and no longer wearable pants into something fresh and new to save them from the landfill?

I bought myself a sewing machine, fabric scissors and upholstery saws and started tinkering. After developing a few samples, I enlisted the help of amazingly talented and patient sewing partners who shared the upcycling vision. After a few years of refining and testing our first bag, the Fanny, BirdieBlue launched in September 2022. And in an ode to that gorgeous bluebird Park City day, BirdieBlue was born.

We have since launched zipper pouches and a sling bag, all designed with the same retro three-panel BirdieBlue color pattern. Each bag is named after a ’90s pop stars beloved toys and games, and the TV shows we all grew up with. This nostalgia is meant to also inspire you to chase your passions wherever they take you.

We have saved more than 1,000 pieces of old gear from landfills and are showing no signs of stopping on our mission to keep our skies blue, our mountains snow capped and our #birdieblueadventure game strong.

We have more exciting bags launching this year, including our large tote bag, a mini fanny pack and a bike handlebar bag. Learn more about our story, our latest product drops and how you can recycle your old gear with BirdieBlue on our website: www.shopbirdieblue.com. Or watch us do it for the ’gram: @shopbirdieblue.

Always worth it.

Independently owned and headquartered in Colorado since 1981, Optic Nerve Eyewear is on a mission to improve the world around them by making it easier for people to experience and enjoy all the things they love to do in the great outdoors. The company’s rally cryAlways worth it - encourages people to choose what matters, exist in the moment and do more with life.

In terms of eyewear, Optic Nerve knows what it means to go the extra mile. They use excruciating thoughtfulness around features and innovation, so nothing stands in the way of getting outside. A little extra flare, a lot more a ordable, all with steadfast commitment to sustainability - making it easy to focus on what’s important.

Committed to sustainable products and business practices, Optic Nerve uses biodegradable packaging and designs select frames made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council Certified natural wood, renewable G850 nylon castor bean resin and Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certified plastic. With their GRS products, Optic Nerve is one of the only players to make such a commitment to sustainability with prices under $40. Looking to the future, by 2024, every pair of sunglasses they sell will feature one of these sustainable materials. And they don’t stop there – their HQ is solar and wind-powered.

It’s clear that Optic Nerve prioritizes purposeful innovation. Their polarized lenses reduce glare and increase clarity with anti-reflective coatings and the designs of their product are unique, trend worthy, and fun. Performance products feature a micro-thin hydrophobic coating to repel water/dust/sweat/oil as well as vented lens engineering for airflow. Their top-tier performance pieces feature a light-sensitive lens that adapts to the environment around you in real time. All products meet or exceed the FDA’s standards for optical clarity and impact resistance as well as 100% UVA/UVB protection.

With a culture that prioritizes people over profit, Optic Nerve is committed to engaging in impactful community and employee programs that get people outside with long standing partners like SOS Outreach. SOS Outreach’s mission is closely aligned with Optic Nerve’s - helping change young lives, building character and leadership in underserved kids through mentoring outdoors. Optic Nerve shows support through product and monetary donations, volunteer time, event participation, leadership positions and even co-working space. By choosing Optic Nerve, you’re choosing great products that give back to our communities and create avenues to do more with life.