MACK WELDON NAMES EX-CALVIN KLEIN UNDERWEAR DESIGNER MATTHEW CONGDON CREATIVE DIRECTOR

by Stephen Garner Sep 01, 2016
Matthew Congdon
Matthew Congdon

Men’s premium basics brand Mack Weldon has tapped Matthew Congdon to serve as its creative director. The role, which was created for Congdon, is effective immediately.

In his role, Congdon will oversee the design team and Mack Weldon’s product offering, upgrading and expanding the core underwear, sock and T-shirt lines. He will also play a key role as the brand considers new categories that fit its product strategy, amplifying the recent moves in sweats and key sportswear and technical items, like the Vesper Polo, the anti-microbial 1285 Performance Dress Sock, Merino Wool series and the swim-friendly Amphibious Underwear.

“Over the last four years, we’ve proven our model of technically-enhanced products that bring comfort, style and function to men’s essentials,” said Brian Berger, founder and CEO of Mack Weldon. “Matthew joins Mack Weldon to extend that mission to related categories and double down on innovation in our core businesses.”

Congdon is an industry expert with more than 19 years’ experience designing multiple categories of menswear for multi-national brands, including his most recent role as the vice president of men’s design at Calvin Klein Underwear. There he lead global design and product development for the $1 billion business and oversaw the recent launches of the Air Fx and Intense Power collections.

Congdon also served as the design director of men’s knits at Uniqlo from 2006 to 2012 where he helped launch two major collections for the brand, AIRism and Heattech. Earlier in his career, he held design positions at Perry Ellis, J. Crew, Nautica and Club Monaco.

“Matthew joins Mack Weldon with tested experience innovating leading brands and creating value through design,” said Michael Isaacman, co-founder and head of product for Mack Weldon. “We admire his experience in the category of course but, as important, is his keen understanding of technical design and performance fabric—two core elements of the Mack Weldon brand.”