Our Story

Bernardo was founded by Stuart Pollack in Montreal, a cosmopolitan city that knows a thing or two about winters, and great style.

Stuart and our Bernardo team saw a need for an outerwear concept that provided consumers both superior weather protection along with elevated designs. Because one should not come at the expense of the other. And so Bernardo (named after Stuart’s son) was born.

Identifying a market in North America for fashion with the same level of design, taste and style found in Europe, the company signature became trend-right fashions with an international design sensibility.

Disruptive and stylishly on point, the brand expanded quickly, relocating to NYC in 1995. New York is our home and inspiration as we design and innovate for consumers around the world.

We are constantly asking how we can do more and make things better, from the perfect, insulated lightweight puffer to how we can make our entire product journey better for the planet.

By The Numbers

42+Years in
Business
4.8MPlastic Bottles
Recycled in 2022
90%+Female
Leadership
330KBernardo Coats
Made this Season

Bernardo Today

Boldly
Bound.

42+ years young, Bernardo has grown through a focus on consumer and design innovations into a leading outerwear brand known for functional fashion, and innovations in comfort, fit and sustainability.

We design eco-friendly, functional fashion outerwear for women, men and kids under private labels and the Bernardo and Collection B brands.

We are inspired by and design for everyday people going places and making statements. Boldly Bound speaks to our unapologetic and unrelenting focus on making things better, beginning with eco-friendly innovations.

Our Brands

Boldly
Bound

We design outerwear for the modern woman and her family on the go. Inspired by their drive, creativity, and generosity, we bring them beautiful quality pieces that give them the power to do it all, stylishly and confidently on their terms.

Explore Bernardo

Tailored for
The Modern Man

Introducing men's outerwear suited for the incredible adventures of the modern man on the go. We bring them refined tech fabrics with classic tailoring.

Explore Men's

Made Better

Innovation
By Design

Bernardo was founded with an empowering purpose to give people the protection to do more. We are on a continuous journey to do better, both for our consumers and for the planet.

Innovation Firsts

1999pioneered machine washable (and dryable) suede
2004Good Housekeeping tested washability in a full editorial feature
2009introduced Vegan Leather
2014launched Ashley B, a high-end collection sold to Saks and Bloomingdale’s
2016ceased production of goose and duck down and became the first fashion outerwear brand to use Primaloft, a synthetic and more sustainable down alternative. This same year we also went fur free for good.
2019introduced our trademarked Ecoplume™ fill made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles
2020began working with 3D design software
2022moved into menswear with a small yet sophisticated capsule collection

Design Philosophy

Eco-Smart
Outerwear

At the core of everything we do is perfect the art of designing outerwear that gives people the comfort, freedom and style confidence to be and do more.

We continue to innovate around all the ways outerwear can elevate and boost the everyday by blending technical and functional innovations with elevated, fashion design.

We embrace new eco-minded fabrics and fills that bring new features and benefits to our customers including stretch, easy-care options, and adaptive temperature options.

With each fashion piece and puffer we’re on a journey toward sustainability and circularity.

Our Sustainability

"There are 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world, and we’re working to change that, one sustainable stylish coat at a time."

Eco-Life

With Eco-Life, we’re committed to creating meaningful products that respect the environment.

Our journey to become a fully sustainable brand begins with our Full Circle collections made with recycled materials.

Since 2019, we have been using Ecoplume™, a synthetic down alternative made from post consumer recycled plastic bottles. In 2022, we accomplished our goal to convert all branded fill to Ecoplume™. We’ve continued to improve the quality and fill power of Ecoplume™, helping make our puffers warmer without the bulk.

This year alone we are saving 4,870,263 plastic bottles from landfills.

In addition, this year all of our puffer jackets made with Ecoplume™ fill are now certified by bluesign®, a full-service solutions system accelerating sustainability and transparency in our industry.

Our partnerships

bluesign®

The bluesign® system unites the entire textile supply chain to jointly reduce its impact on people and the environment. As we continue to build a more sustainable brand, our bluesign® partnership will guide our eco-minded decisions and connect us with the best possible resources in the industry today.

Beginning in 2022, all of our puffer jackets made with 100% recycled Ecoplume™ insulation are now certified by bluesign®, accelerating sustainability and transparency in our industry.

Each bluesign® approved product is indicated by the bluesign® logo on our website as we seek to guide our customers through their sustainable shopping journey.

thredUP

We continue our sustainability journey with initiatives like our PreLoved partnership with thredUP. In the US alone, over 17 million tons of used textile waste is generated by the fashion industry and only 15% of consumer-used clothing is recycled. The Bernardo Fashions x thredUp partnership ensures that consumers, and the environment, can continue to be EcoLoved. We’ve Partnered with thredUP to create Bernardo’s EcoLoved Collection. Because we love seeing our pieces live their best second lives. And because 95% of 36 billion clothing items tossed yearly could be reloved or recycled. Shop the collection or start donating your gently used clothes and earning Bernardo credit today.

Shop Bernardo Ecoloved

Global Recycled Standard

Our recycled fabrics are verified by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS), an international standard for recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions.

Learn more

Our Team

We are
Family

We began as a family-owned company and that close-knit spirit continues today. Our corporate culture is warm, direct and transparent with a focus on collaboration, dialogue and discovery.

Ours is also diverse family of team members and collaborators representing different nationalities, races and ethnicities. What brings us together is a passion for understanding our consumers and how to make them the perfect coat they will just love.

We bring this family approach to how we engage our consumer.

Woman Managed

With a strongly female-centric team, our women impact all aspects of our senior strategic, innovation, creative, marketing and sales operations. They also bring a rich perspective on our important female customer and her changing needs and preferences. Together we stand for equal pay and for supporting women at the workplace.

To A Better Future

SUSTAINABLE
FOCUS:
NOW,
TOMORROW,
ALWAYS.

We only have one planet and we need to nurture it and protect it. Our journey towards sustainability and circularity is one of learning and growing, and we lean into knowledge partners.

We are intentional in our designs, using as many eco-friendly fabrics, fills, and resources as possible in our process. We have also taken strong action to protect animals by stopping fur and animal down.

We are committed to this environmental journey and to building a legacy for our brand and for our actions.

BERNARDO COAT CHECK