Melanzana (clothing brand)
| Industry | Apparel |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Fritz Howard |
| Headquarters | Leadville, Colorado |
| Products | Outdoor clothing |
Number of employees | 124 |
| Website | melanzana |
Melanzana (formerly Eggplant) is an American clothing retailer headquartered in Leadville, Colorado.[1]
History
In 1994, Melanzana was founded by Fritz Howard as an outdoor clothing company named Eggplant. Following a trademark dispute, the company was renamed Melanzana, the Italian word for eggplant.[2]
In 1997, Melanzana opened its first retail storefront in Leadville, Colorado. In 2008, the company relocated its operations to Leadville's Harrison Avenue.[3] In 2021, Melanzana expanded its manufacturing operations to a second location on Harrison Avenue.[4] In 2024, it opened another manufacturing facility in Alamosa, Colorado.[5]
Operations
Manufacturing
Melanzana products are cut and sewn by hand using Polartec polar fleece.[6]
Retail
Melanzana sells its products through its physical store, and its online store.[7][8] The company operates both an open retail area, where a selection of products are available to the general public, and an appointment-only store that provides access to its full product line.[9]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Melanzana briefly introduced the Lock Out Lottery (LOL), a system through which customers could enter for a chance to receive a shopping code for its temporary online store.[2] The brand's limited availability and retail model have contributed to a devoted following among outdoor recreation enthusiasts.[10][11][12]
Philanthropy
Melanzana donates a portion of its profits to 15 local non-profits through its PB & Melly program.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Blevins, Jason (July 12, 2012). "Leadville's Melanzana thriving with locally made clothing". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b "This Cult-Favorite Fleece Is Finally Available Online, Sort Of". InsideHook. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
- ^ n.a. "About". Melanzana. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ Bilow, Patrick (July 21, 2021). "Melanzana expands across the street". Leadville Herald-Democrat. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ Waters, John (2025-03-15). "Melanzana is poised for growth in Alamosa". The Alamosa News. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ n.a. "Featured Partner: Melanzana". Polartec. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ Blevins, Jason (28 July 2025). "Melanzana mystique: A peek into the rulebreaking business strategy of Leadville's fleece factory". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ Moye, Jayme. "Walk across the sky in the U.S.'s highest-elevation city". National Geographic. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ n.a. "Leadville Store". Melanzana. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Singer, Daliah (October 2019). "Melanzana Is Colorado's Most Coveted (and Reclusive) Clothing Line". 5280 Magazine. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ Bowden, Tanner. "This May Be the Best Fleece and You Probably Can't Get One". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ Busch, Laurenz. "'Hey! That's a nice Melly!'". Boulder Weekly. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ Barackman, Jenna (January 24, 2025). "Coveted but covert, one of Colorado's most popular and har-to-buy brands can't fly under the radar despite its attempts". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2025.