Smartwool produces new sock designed by 10th grade contest winner
As part of its annual "Socktober" campaign, Smartwool is releasing a limited-edition product to benefit advocacy organizations.
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Colorado-based brand Smartwool and nonprofit Big City Mountaineers (BCM) today announced their partnership for this year’s “Socktober” campaign, an annual charity initiative created by Smartwool. As part of the effort—which runs from October 22 to 28—Smartwool will donate a portion of its sales to advocacy groups working to preserve the outdoors and build community around outdoor recreation. BCM, which provides outdoor experiences to underserved youth, is one of the campaign’s long-time benefit groups.
For the second year running, Smartwool and BCM bolstered their partnership by hosting a joint workshop for students in the BCM program. The participants got a behind-the-scenes look at apparel production and a chance to create their own sock designs in a limited-edition release contest. At the end of the process, over 90 students submitted designs. The BCM community then picked its favorite, which is now in production as a Socktober-specific product.
Minnesota 10th grader Camila Fernandez created the winning design, which draws on Mexican art and her love for space and science. David Taus, executive director of BCM, called the design a personal representation of the Fernandez’s unique connection with the outdoors.
“We think people are going to love this Smartwool sock and hope it helps them reflect on their own relationship with nature,” Taus said.
The limited-edition socks will be available on Smartwool’s website later this month.
