Filson x Smokey Bear

Welcome to Americana

Words: Caiza Andresen

Americana is not only an awesome The Offspring Album including songs like »Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)«, »The Kids aren’t alright« and »Why don’t you get a Job«, but also a collective term for cultural, historical and folklore artifacts of the USA. Imagine a white picket fence, a pair of blue jeans, Lady Liberty and a bald eagle. Basically, everything Lana del Rey centers her discography around.… minus alcoholism and heartbreak.

Another icon of Americana is without a doubt a fuzzy crusader, who dedicated his life to preventing natural disasters and conservation of wildlife – Smokey Bear. Yes, you heard right.
This usually frightening carnivora mammal has been fighting the good cause for over 50 years. An advertising icon and the longest-running public service announcer campaign in US history, Smokey has been educating the public about the dangers of wildfires and how to prevent them. Imagine a 500 pound better dressed version of Uncle Sam with the slogan »I want you for US« exchanged for »Only YOU can prevent wild fires«. A slogan we can all stand behind.

Besides being an authority in public announcement Smokey has also been a main stay in pop culture from the start, appearing in Walt Disney cartoons, a TV special voiced by James Cagney, his own cartoon series and on uncountable souvenirs. This season, US clothing brand Filson releases a collection dedicated to this hero.

Filson itself could be considered Americana with a rich history of over 120 years in the fashion business. Founder C.C. Filson was born in 1850 with his father ‘s love for the outdoors already shaping what he would later become. While approaching his adulthood, C.C. started working as a railroad conductor before moving to the area of Washington shortly before the turn of the 20th century – right at the time of the Great Klondike Gold Rush. Filson was already selling clothing at that time under the name of C.C. Filson’s Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers – not any clothing, but the perfect wardrobe for anybody ready to find his luck (nugget-shaped and golden) at a riverbed.

Filson clothing was designed for the rugged outdoors and always had an open ear for his customers to listen to their suggestions for improvement. An early catalog add read:
»To our customers: if a man is going North, he should come to us for his outfit, because we have obtained our ideas of what is best to wear in that country from the experience of the man from the North — not merely one — but hundreds of them. Our materials are the very best obtainable, for we know that the best is none too good and that quality is of vital importance. You can depend absolutely upon our goods both as to material and workmanship«.

The Gold Rush faded into history, but still everybody in search of comfortable, durable clothing knew that Filson was the right address. Even today, the name is synonymous with honest values and reliability. 120 years later Filson still cares. Not only about his customers, but also about the environment and that’s why they teamed up with our furry hat-wearing companion to bring you this special Smokey the Bear Collection.

And even though Smokey is more than eager to prevent wildfires (as you should too), let me assure you, that he can’t stop you from wearing some fire Filson fits this summer.

Filson x Smokey Bear is now available at HHV: Filson x Smokey Bear | HHV

Visual Content: Filson