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Mizzen+Main Secures $1 Million Funding Round To Expand Product Line

Mizzen+Main, an American shirtmaker and haberdasher, today announced a significant milestone in the company’s two-year history with the closing of $1.2 million in Series A funding. The investment round is led by former Astor & Black founder and serial entrepreneur David Schottenstein and includes VegasTechFund, started by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, and multiple Silicon Valley and Dallas hedge fund partners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders including Hunter Hunt, Bobby Lyle and Chris Kleinert.

Launched in 2012, Mizzen+Main offers moisture-wicking wrinkle-free dress shirts designed to blend class and comfort for the active professional. The company also manufactures and retails performance henleys, blazers and denim. Mizzen+Main sources and manufactures all products in the United States and is headquartered in Dallas.

“Mizzen+Main exists to bring innovation to classic menswear as we’re creating an entirely new category within the apparel industry,” said Kevin Lavelle, cofounder and CEO of Mizzen+Main. “We anticipated a positive response to telling men they no longer need to suffer every day in ill-fitting, stodgy cotton shirts. We’ve been blown away by the reception thus far, from pro athletes to investment bankers. It’s apparent men are ready and wanting for this revolution of performance fabrics in professional and everyday apparel.”

Inspired by modern athletic gear, Mizzen+Main’s dress shirts use a unique fabric blend to wick away moisture, eliminating sweat from showing through the shirt. Shirts feature four-way stretch for a custom fit and do not require dry cleaning. Wrinkle-free technology means only machine washing and hang drying – with no ironing – keep shirts wrinkle-free all day. The same wrinkle-free philosophy was applied to the 0-5 Performance Blazer, a Kickstarter-funded initiative designed for entrepreneurs, athletes, game changers and men constantly on the go.

Mizzen+Main donates a portion of all shirt sales to support veterans and their families through the company’s “A Shirt for A Start” program, which provides transition support to veterans bridging the gap between service and the private sector. Multiple company projects have supported Navy SEAL nonprofits. The latest collaboration, Wear RED on Fridays, kicks off September 11. 

“Mizzen+Main is going to transform the men’s shirting industry,” said Schottenstein. “I felt that I had made my mark in the clothing business after selling Astor & Black, and moved on to other industries, but when presented with Mizzen+Main, I recognized immediately this was an opportunity I had to get behind. I have never seen or worn anything similar to their shirts and am very excited to help grow their brand.”

Said Lavelle, “We’re creating the first true American professional performance brand, innovating each item to perfection.”

Mizzen+Main professional performance apparel is available online and at men’s specialty shops and luxury department stores across the United States. For more information, visit MizzenandMain.com.

Kevin Lavelle, CEO
Tuesday, 02 September 2014