History Of The Gramicci Brand

Formulated out of functionality, the Gramicci brand specialises in clothing tough enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor pursuits. Founded in the ‘80s by experienced Californian climber Mike Graham, the brand owes its name to Mike’s role in the first all-Italian ascent of the world-renowned Half-Dome.

Found nestled amongst the wonders of Yosemite National Park, Half-Dome is famed for its unique shape, tricky routes, and sheer size. Towering at a knee-shaking elevation of 8.842 not only did the intimidating heights and unavoidable physical strain of the job at hand pose a threat to the group’s goals but so to did their non-European origins, with a grand total of 0 Italians found within their ranks.

Undeterred, Mike and his friends pressed on employing both advanced skills and a selection of newly invented trans-Atlantic pseudonyms to complete their mission. Half-Dome conquered, Graham no more and Gramicci born. Needless to say, the name stuck, and in the years that followed Mike used his experience gained as an active participant in the rock climbing community to set up the brand we see before us today.

The Gramicci G Shorts

Releasing their first pair of Gramici shorts in 1982, the brand quickly became known for its penchant for super practical legwear, putting in place a plethora of innovative features that still stand as signature trademarks for more than 30 years later.

Designed with the young explorer in mind and paying close attention to the motions of a climber’s body, the G shorts / G pants boasted a gusseted crotch for unrestrictive movement as well as a built-in nylon belt and rugged cotton twill construction.

Using this as a foundation, the brand has since expanded into other clothing-related forays, experimenting with a variety of different cuts, fabrics, and silhouettes whilst cultivating a rich community of like-minded individuals through an ethos of exploration.

 

Gramicci Performance Range

No more present is the brand’s exploratory approach than with their performance line. A space to delve deeper into new ideas and try their hand at some of the most groundbreaking materials in the industry, this offshoot proving ground allows the preservation of classic ideals whilst ensuring Garmicci’s forward-thinking edge is continually sharpened.

Made to support whatever activity and elements the wearer embarks on, the collection takes advantage of everything from UV protective Sheltek, comfortable storm fleece, and versatile RECTAS / SOLOTEX fabrics to insulating Pertex, durable Cordura and waterproof GQRD 3 layer materials. In short, if you happen to find yourself halfway up a rather large granite face or hiking in the wilderness, this is the stuff to do it in.

Bridging The Gap

Aside from the finer specifications, Gramicci has also made waves when it comes to cultural significance. Thriving in overseas markets such as Japan and finding acceptance into the streetwear tribe, they played a substantial role in changing the widespread perception of utilitarian clothing.

Unlike today when you’d be hard-pressed to point out a brand that hasn’t yet dabbled in Goretex, outdoor clothing of the time was largely deemed as a bare-bones, necessity driven, and uninteresting when casting through a fashion lens. With the worlds of aesthetics and function rarely crossing paths Gramicci, among others, were some of the first to place an emphasis on not only the methodology of their clothing but how it looked, allowing lifestyle and performance to coexist, opening their craft to an entirely new audience and perhaps setting a precedent for future styling trends.

Combine this with their rock climber insignia, that coincidentally draws close resemblance to another of their ‘80s Californian neighbours Stussy who were at the forefront of the early streetwear movement, and the brand found itself quickly adopted as a permanent fixture of skate and surf shops, forming collaborations with the likes of Mastermind and having their unique cornerstone features referenced time and time again.