Alpha Industries Introduces Their Branch Of Innovation
The Ultra Violet Line
Founded in 1959 Knoxville, Tennessee, Alpha Industries made its name as a contracted garment manufacturer for the United States Military – their task was design and produce high performance outerwear at a military spec, including a thick flight nylon comparable to that available across modern collections. As with all great labels, once established the brand went from strength to strength – evolving into a fashion-oriented fashion house that lends itself to the aesthetic of militant-wear.
During early 2024, Alpha Industries took things all the way back to day one with their ULTRA VIOLET collection – a more exclusive offering that took inspiration from their deep rooted heritage, combined with a nod towards the world of high fashion. As the name suggests, the ULTRA VIOLET line of outerwear arrives with a rich purple onion-quilted liner in tow for some part, as well as the vibrant orange with which we’ve become very familiar. Each silhouette now sports a heavy flight nylon opposed to the lighter, fashion-skewed nylon used prior, introducing elements of water-repellent coating where appropriate and sleek, magnetic closures for a progressive, updated look.
The classic MA-1 Bomber Jacket stepped up to a 200 gsm weight, introducing a Puffer iteration lined with PrimaLoft thermal insulation for colder seasons, too.
Beyond the brand’s flagship silhouette, pockets have been added to others to extend those already visible and on show. Sometimes, and in the case of the Utility Shirt, only discoverable once hidden chest panelling had been unzipped. For spring/summer, the purple UV label is sewn into the garment and located behind rear-facing pockets to indicate the presence of UV protective textile.
Previous seasons have launched in pastel grey, plum and sage green nylon up top, complimented by the aforementioned lining, purple or orange in tone – pairing wearability with a heightened level of functionality. One last notable change is the introduction of a subtle ULTRA VIOLET carabiner to commemorate this new lineage, a twist on the brand’s iconic ‘Remove Before Flight’ slogan.
To understand the ULTRA VIOLET line, it’s important to learn the route that Alpha Industries took in developing their legacy – the steps they took away from their preliminary N-3B parkas and Navy shipboard shirts in 1959, towards the ‘80s militancy inspired UV collection we see today. It wasn’t for another four years post-launch that we first saw the iconic MA-1 and N-2B parka as we know them today, and then another seven years before the average consumer was able to buy an Alpha Industries garment as they hit the commercial market in 1970, filling their dip in financial uplift between government contracts. Limited jacket runs came first, launched beneath numerous different alias from Concord Industries to Intercom Apparel.
Once any military-spec garments become available purchase by the general public, this is widely referred to as a ‘civilian release’ – usually, a result of a surplus in manufacturing and in this case supplementing one leg of the rise in their MA-1’s popularity. Alpha Industries’ bomber mainstay jacket, a resident in surplus stores.
However, prior to the Alpha Industries name, Knoxville’s military-skewed garment manufacturer was founded by the late Samuel Gelber, with Herman Wynn as his right hand man and coined ‘Dobbs Industries’. Contributing the M-65 Field Shirt in 1965 as worn during the Vietnam War, and the MA-1 two years prior – it was in fact Dobbs who introduced the MA-1 flight jacket to the US military ten years before Alpha even existed.
A bright orange lining to provide additional visibility for pilots if, and on the unfortunate occasion when, they may crash. A wearable beacon to stand out against any darker backdrop.
Gelber passed in ’82, leaving the company to his wife, Mildred, son-in-law Alan Cirker and business partner John Niethammer. Spearheaded by Cirker, Alpha Industries made its way into the retail market with help from an updated brand image built on the three-bar logo trademarked during the 1960s. Interestingly, outerwear manufactured specifically for civilians would feature three lines printed across the sewn-in label, whilst those for military personnel see just one solid line.
During this transitional period, the classic wool knit collar was swapped out for an acrylic or acrylic/wool blend. That way, moths and insects would struggle to make themselves at home – a small yet crucial change.
In 1992, we were introduced to the ‘Flying A’ logo, a fitting update that nods to the brand’s iconic three-bar label alongside incomparable military heritage. And, it’s safe to say that’s where Alpha Industries’ legacy remains to this day – woven into each panel of showcased by ULTRA VIOLET line, inspiring the bespoke labelling throughout and a step in the direction of futurist styling without forgetting from where it was born.
Militancy.
Shop Alpha Industries online at HHV
Text: Tommy Corlito
