With cold weather comes the need to bundle up when heading out into the brisk New England air.
For the past 100 years, the U.S. Navy has been issuing peacoats to its sailors, and since 1968 those coats have been manufactured primarily by Sterlingwear of Boston in East Boston. During the 20th century, the peacoat also became a staple of winter attire and American fashion.
Already a successful company that today manufactures a variety of outerwear for many branches of the U.S. military, cousins and Merrimack Valley residents David Fredella and Gina Tenaglia — the third generation of the family to manage the company — believe the time has come to move aggressively into the commercial market. With the support and guidance of president and CEO Frank Fredella, whose father, Lorenzo, founded the company, they hope to achieve long-term success in the retail market by providing the public with fashionable, functional and durable products that are born of American craftsmanship and know-how.
Although Sterlingwear peacoats have been available through Army/Navy stores throughout the country for years — and more recently through the company’s website (www.sterlingwear.com) — the clothing manufacturer decided to enter the retail world, and it opened its first store in October at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, N.H.
According to David Fredella, vice president and chief operating officer, plans to expand the company’s product lines and make the clothing available in a retail store have been in the works for a few years. Fredella understands the risks of opening in the current economic climate, but is convinced the quality and value of Sterlingwear products will make the store a success.
Gina Tenaglia, CFO of Sterlingwear, Frank Fredella, CEO of Sterlingwear and David Fredella, COO of Sterlingwear at their first-in-the nation retail store at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, NH.
The family also believes that buying direct from an American manufacturer offers an experience that can’t be found in chain stores selling cheaply made coats from overseas. Sterlingwear employees are expected to be knowledgeable about the company and its products, and to be attentive to the needs of the customer. In addition to offering its authentic and classic-style peacoats, the Sterlingwear store will feature a wide variety of new outerwear designs. “There was a need for adding a little bit of style to our line,” says Tenaglia, vice president and chief financial officer.
To design the new products, the company hired May Aye, a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s fashion design program. “She brought some very fresh ideas,” David Fredella says. “She was a good fit for our company.” The new line of woman’s coats that Aye designed are rooted in the peacoat, but have a more fitted, tailored look. “I always like to play with lines, shapes, colors, silhouettes, textures and other design elements [that] are fashion forward,” she says. “We wanted a little touch of edginess with the classic details.”
New products also are available for men and children. Among the new offerings at the Nashua store are hooded parkas, raincoats, topcoats and even an extreme-weather outfit. Products will be available in a variety of wool weights and other materials, including different types of cashmere and Italian wools. All of Sterlingwear’s outerwear is manufactured locally. “Everything is made right here in East Boston, American made,” David Fredella says. Sterlingwear of Boston
Pheasant Lane Mall – Nashua, NH
South Shore Plaza – Braintree, MA
East Boston – 175 William F. McClellan Highway www.sterlingwear.com
Buy Local – Against the Elements
For the past 100 years, the U.S. Navy has been issuing peacoats to its sailors, and since 1968 those coats have been manufactured primarily by Sterlingwear of Boston in East Boston. During the 20th century, the peacoat also became a staple of winter attire and American fashion.
Already a successful company that today manufactures a variety of outerwear for many branches of the U.S. military, cousins and Merrimack Valley residents David Fredella and Gina Tenaglia — the third generation of the family to manage the company — believe the time has come to move aggressively into the commercial market. With the support and guidance of president and CEO Frank Fredella, whose father, Lorenzo, founded the company, they hope to achieve long-term success in the retail market by providing the public with fashionable, functional and durable products that are born of American craftsmanship and know-how.
Although Sterlingwear peacoats have been available through Army/Navy stores throughout the country for years — and more recently through the company’s website (www.sterlingwear.com) — the clothing manufacturer decided to enter the retail world, and it opened its first store in October at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, N.H.
According to David Fredella, vice president and chief operating officer, plans to expand the company’s product lines and make the clothing available in a retail store have been in the works for a few years. Fredella understands the risks of opening in the current economic climate, but is convinced the quality and value of Sterlingwear products will make the store a success.
Gina Tenaglia, CFO of Sterlingwear, Frank Fredella, CEO of Sterlingwear and David Fredella, COO of Sterlingwear at their first-in-the nation retail store at the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua, NH.
The family also believes that buying direct from an American manufacturer offers an experience that can’t be found in chain stores selling cheaply made coats from overseas. Sterlingwear employees are expected to be knowledgeable about the company and its products, and to be attentive to the needs of the customer. In addition to offering its authentic and classic-style peacoats, the Sterlingwear store will feature a wide variety of new outerwear designs. “There was a need for adding a little bit of style to our line,” says Tenaglia, vice president and chief financial officer.
To design the new products, the company hired May Aye, a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s fashion design program. “She brought some very fresh ideas,” David Fredella says. “She was a good fit for our company.” The new line of woman’s coats that Aye designed are rooted in the peacoat, but have a more fitted, tailored look. “I always like to play with lines, shapes, colors, silhouettes, textures and other design elements [that] are fashion forward,” she says. “We wanted a little touch of edginess with the classic details.”
New products also are available for men and children. Among the new offerings at the Nashua store are hooded parkas, raincoats, topcoats and even an extreme-weather outfit. Products will be available in a variety of wool weights and other materials, including different types of cashmere and Italian wools. All of Sterlingwear’s outerwear is manufactured locally. “Everything is made right here in East Boston, American made,” David Fredella says.
Sterlingwear of Boston
Pheasant Lane Mall – Nashua, NH
South Shore Plaza – Braintree, MA
East Boston – 175 William F. McClellan Highway
www.sterlingwear.com