A bird’s eye view before “tools down” at 11am on Saturday, February 2nd.

For the past 18 years, the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition finals have taken place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Teams from all around the country come to craft frozen sculptures using nothing more than old-fashioned hand tools, clean snow and raw creativity.

As a sponsor, Lands’ End outfitted all 15 teams in our Squall® 3-in-1 Jacket. Through four days of carving, most teams worked well into the night, turning their 8-foot wide, 9-foot tall snow blocks into works of art. And most nights saw temps drop well below zero.

When we talked with the teams about the jackets, they all admitted that at first they were worried about the Squall’s ability to perform in frigid temperatures. Then genuinely surprised at how warm it kept them – especially at night. And they really appreciated the Squall’s lightweight, easy-to-maneuver design.
Because to be a snow sculptor, you need to be “50% artist and 50% contortionist.”

The weather this year proved as fierce as the competition. And the teams carved some of the most elaborate sculptures ever.

The Sculptors

1st Place

“Dancing Flame” by Wisconsin Team 2

2nd Place

“Walla Walla Bing Bang” by Michigan

3rd Place

“Nisdaat Ku-eex” (Translation: The Last Dance) by Alaska

People’s Choice

“Quis ut Deus” by Illinois Team 3

Wisconsin Team1, sponsored by Lands’ End.

The “Snowblind” team members Neal, Jon and Mike have been carving snow together for almost a decade. Their sculpture, “Migration” towered over the grounds.

“Migration” in clay.

“Migration”

Approximately 42 hours from block to beautiful.

“Rondure” by New Hampshire

“Lake Geneva Flight of the Piasa” by Iowa

“Angle Fish” by Illinois Team 5

“Oh Yes We Kraken” by Illinois Team 2

“Egg Roll” by New York

“Hello Kitty” by Illinois Team 1

Brushing the “Kitty”

“Fish Tank” by Illinois Team 4

“War Bonnett” by Nebraska

“Solar Pagoda” by Vermont

“Mechanical Daydream” by Minnesota

The post 15 Teams And A High Of 15° appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.

It had been a banner year, heading into the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Sweaters, turtlenecks and Oxford shirts had been flying out of our warehouse, and we had high hopes for the holidays, having just mailed out a 124-page catalog filled with the usual clothing and soft luggage plus gifts ranging from nautical jigsaw puzzles to a classic 1947 Chris Craft Runabout.

Then Mother Nature intervened, with a loud WHUMP!

Two feet of snow whipped by 40-knot winds turned into four and five-foot drifts. The back roads around Dodgeville quickly became impassable and even driving on Highway 18/151 was dicey, although there were plenty of fools willing to test their luck. Of the 300 people scheduled to work the phones and the warehouse, only 80 could make it in.

We put a message on our 800 line, letting our customers know what was happening, and asking for their patience as they tried to place their holiday orders with Lands’ End.

Teri Odgers had just started working on the phones at Lands’ End. She remembers:

“I had gone to a hockey game in Madison on Friday night, and it just cut loose. Coming home, we only made it as far as Verona. Then it took us 4 hours to get back to Dodgeville the next morning. Lands’ End was all over the radio, asking for help. I packed a bag and caught a ride into work with the mailman. People were sleeping on the floors, eating Pizza Hut and sandwiches Gary had sent in. I worked late into the night. 4-wheel drives were shuttling people back and forth to their homes and hotels. What made it fun was the way everybody worked together, and how nice our customers were – they’d heard about the blizzard, and asked how we were doing.”

“There were plenty of people who slept overnight in the building,” remembers Lisa Hanson. “They couldn’t make it home so they would sleep for a while, then go back on the phones and takes more orders. At one point Lands’ End called a snow day and asked people to stay home unless they worked in the call center.”

Coffee fueled people through one shift after another, as the wind howled like a banshee outside, and the drifts piled higher and higher. Our tired people on the phones sometimes lost their train of thought, or even began to doze with someone on the line, but a neighbor would give them a poke, and customers were good-natured about it.

Karen James remembers Lands’ End president Gary Comer walking around, patting people on the back, bringing them coffee and sandwiches and snacks, doing whatever he could do to keep spirits up.

“He had one pant leg tucked into his boot, and the other one over his boot,” remembers Karen. “It was rather adorable.”

Some of the call center people worked for 16 hours, then came back for more the next day.

“We felt like we were all in it together,” says Terri. “It was important for the company to come through for the customers.”

Finally after a few days of almost complete chaos, the winds died down, the snow stopping falling, and the roads began to clear. Many of our hard-working people shuffled home bleary-eyed for very long winter naps.

In the meantime, the rest of us got caught up on our orders, and the holiday season began looking merry after all. But we kept one eye on the weather-man for the rest of the winter, and a blanket in our desk drawer, just in case history repeated itself, as it’s wont to do in Wisconsin.

It sure was a hell of a blow.

The post The Big Snowstorm of 1985 appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.

“At least 30 years ago my mother purchased a bathrobe from your company. It is her favorite.”

~ Jean

EXPERT CUSTOMERS

Because we use grade “A” Inner Mongolian cashmere, considered the world’s finest, or cashmere sweaters are guaranteed to feel luxurious.

“As a former cashmere product development exec for a very well known, high-end company, I am a VERY critical judge of cashmere products. I’ve been to the mills and farms in Inner Mongolia so I know the best procedures of how it is spun and knitted. I am, needless to say, very picky. So I was skeptical when I ordered both the cardigan and shell…I was blown away by the quality: incredibly soft and smooth with excellent knitting. Even the black, which is the toughest to get soft, was amazing. This is, in all honesty, the best cashmere I have felt and owned for the price.”

– A NYC fan

CUSTOMERS DOWN UNDER

“These jeans have seen mustering, roust-abouting, sheep drenching, cattle droving and many other things and still have a lot of wear left in them yet!”
– Beverly in Australia

REJUVENATED CUSTOMERS

“When I get depressed thinking about the way society is going, I call Lands’ End. It is like talking with your grandmother, and they know the product, are not speaking from a stupid script and actually seem to care.”
– Steve

NEWLYWED CUSTOMERS

“All of the bridesmaids at the wedding I was in this weekend received Lands’ End totes from the bride! I love all the colors!”

BORED CUSTOMERS

“Dear Lands’ End,
I think you make your clothes too well. For those of us that are frugal, we like to buy classic clothes and make them last as long as we can. Unfortunately, the coats you sold us back in 1982 still look good… I can’t bring myself to part with a perfectly good coat…”
–Dee and Bill in VA

Show us what your kids in Iron Knee® pants can do!

VERY ACTIVE SCHOOL UNIFORM CUSTOMERS
“This skort climbs trees and monkey bars.”

HAPPY THEN NOT HAPPY THEN REALLY HAPPY CUSTOMERS
“I have said in the past that the measure of a company is how they react when things go wrong… By that scale, Lands’ End is tops.”

JAZZED CUSTOMERS
“The shirts arrived just before we went on, and were a great hit!”
– Randy

LANDS’ END SHOP GROUPIE CUSTOMERS
“So I went to the Lands¹ End shop at the Sears in Cherry Creek about two weeks ago and went crazy. I bought 4 pairs of your slim fit ankle chinos in different colors, three different colors in the Supima cardigans, several scarves, the purple suede Ashby pumps, and a couple of belts. Since then, I have returned THREE MORE TIMES!!! New pea coat, more footwear and some fleece. I’m a total Land’s End groupie.”
– Robin, CO

CUSTOMERS WHO DON’T CARE TO WAIT
“I’ve been a Lands’ End Customer for a long time, this is the first time I’ve needed Customer Service.

My expectations are high. I’ve been buying quality products from a quality company and have come to expect quality in every way from you. I had sent two items back for exchange. Canada Post shows them delivered, your system hasn’t seen them yet. Robert sorted everything out. He put me first! He’s sending the items out and will put the waiting on your end to find my returned package.

“I was a loyal customer BEFORE I experienced Robert, now I’m a customer for life.”

ANTI-GRAVITY CUSTOMERS
“Thanks for designing such great swimsuits! We’ve put them to the test this summer and they still look great!”
– Kim

We make your favorite swimsuit styles in mastectomy options. They have higher necklines and armholes plus sewn-in soft cups and prosthesis pockets – no uncomfortable underwire! See our latest collection here.

5-KID CUSTOMERS
“As a family with 5 children it is very important that when I shop for clothing I not only look at price but quality. For our family Lands’ End has proven themselves time and time again.”
– Kim in Ohio

CUSTOMERS IN SIBERIA
“My mother, who is residing in Russia, totally fell in love with Lands’ End products.

“She lives in Siberia where it is -30 degrees C in the winter time, and all the dresses, down jackets, and down coats that I bought from you keep her warm and comfy. She said thank you very much, (Bolshoe spasibo).”
– Jason

CUSTOMERS GROWING UP
When I was 11 my mom got me children’s monogrammed sweats, and about 8 pairs of socks. I didn’t think much of it when I got them, but every year those items have been the first things I bring out for winter and the last things stored for summer.

I am turning 24 next month and they still show absolutely no wear and tear. Thank you so much for making such incredible products! When I have children someday, I know where I’ll come.

Thank you!!
– Meghann, NE

PETITE CUSTOMERS
It comes in petite! … I’ve looked a long time and cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this parka. I’ve received many compliments on it. Good old Lands’ End.
– Cynthia, PA

LIFELONG CUSTOMERS
Superb quality along with off-the-charts customer satisfaction and easy return/exchange has earned a lifelong customer!”
– a Michigan customer

ISLAND CUSTOMERS
Long ago, actually in 1980/81, I bought your wonderful jacket, the Squall, as I was living on the big island and would hike to the top of Mauna Loa where it could get cold. Yes, cold is relative but I would start in a rain forest at 1500′ and walk to 13,000′. I would walk through some wonderful scenery and quickly changing climate.

When I came back to the mainland it kept me warm as I acclimatized to San Francisco weather.

Both of these items are still in good condition and I have figured that the only way I will be able to replace them is to burn them and plead insanity.
– Rev. John

4-SON CUSTOMERS
I bought this coat 9 years ago for my oldest son. It was his first winter coat. Probably with a few tears in my eyes, I will put this coat on my youngest son this winter. We have four boys, and they have all worn it for at least one season.
– Anne

SHOVED-AROUND CUSTOMERS
“Lands’ End even replaced my new khaki pants when I told them that they had been ripped when someone accidentally bumped me into a bridge abutment at a crew race in Saratoga Springs! That’s good service!”
– Amy, MA

BURGLARIZED CUSTOMERS
“Our house was robbed and my son’s diaper bag was used to put in the items they had stolen. The bag was super heavy, so we think the folks that robbed us got tired of carrying it, and they threw the bag and contents into the bushes down the block. I want to send a thank you to the appropriate department because when they found our stuff, all of the electronics, the wii, iPad, etc., were still in perfect condition even though it rained and hailed all night long!!”

The post What Kind Of Customers Write To Lands’ End? appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.

Dissidents have dared to proclaim that no one reads catalogs any more.

Yet this company was founded by a writer. And one Lands’ End writer has declared, “Our clothing has a story – and if people won’t read it, I will read it to them…”

That man is Bob.

Bob discusses angel hair and meatballs and how it relates to Pima cotton (seriously).

Bob ponders the difference between Chinos and Khakis.

Bob opens up about what guys want.

Bob provides free advice on Hemingway.
(Editors note- that can’t be right?)

Bob clarifies what Pinpoint Oxfords are actually made from due to their misleading name.

Bob digs deep on the origins of linen.

Bob goes coastal talking about board shorts.

Bob is really into Madras. We’re not sure what Madras thinks of Bob.

Bob starts strong talking about Durable Goods. . .

Bob knows the origins of the word Supima – but that’s about it.

Bob divulges what happens in our secret lab.

Bob introduces our newest employee whose name is Squall.

Bob presents a hollow description of fleece.

Bob’s monogramming advice and how to name your child.

Bob explains the diet of a Merino wool producing sheep.
Yup. You read that right.

Bob sings a suit song. Our apologies.

The post The Copywriters’ Revolt appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.